CDE Coeur Mining Inc

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE:CDENYSE:TSX:CDM) today announced an updated summary of engineering and construction progress on the San Bartolome silver mine, which is targeted for completion near the end of 2007. Engineering Overall engineering and procurement activities continue to move forward at an aggressive pace and are nearly two-thirds complete. All major equipment purchase orders have been released, including the main power transformer, SAG and ball mills, and other related major process and recovery equipment. Construction The company recently initiated construction on the approximately $30 million tailings facility. Site preparation work is nearly complete for the process plant area. Eight contractors are currently on site, including ICE, the Bolivian firm responsible for construction of the tailings facility, and Fluor Corporation, which is acting as EPCM contractor. During the current phase of construction, the project expects to employ as many as 300 Bolivian workers, with an increase in that number as construction continues to ramp up. In addition, the company has awarded the contracts for structural steel supply, concrete supply, and concrete installation. Government Relations The Government of Bolivia has repeatedly stated that it welcomes foreign investment in Bolivia in the mining sector and that private property rights will be respected. In addition, the company continues to receive specific expressions of support from the Government for the San Bartolome project. San Bartolome Silver Mine The San Bartolome silver mine is being developed by Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur d'Alene Mines. The mine is located near the town of Potosi, Bolivia. The project has silver mineral reserves of 152 million ounces. The mine is expected to produce approximately 9 million ounces of silver in its first full year of operation and between 6 and 8 million ounces per year thereafter. Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world's leading primary silver producers and has a strong presence in gold. The company has mining interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, and Nevada. Cautionary Statement Company press releases may contain numerous forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada relating to the company's silver and gold mining business. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside the company's control. Operating, exploration and financial data, and other statements in this document are based on information the company believes reasonable, but involve significant uncertainties as to future gold and silver prices, costs, ore grades, estimation of gold and silver reserves, mining and processing conditions, construction schedules, currency exchange rates, and the completion and/or updating of mining feasibility studies, changes that could result from the company's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), regulatory and permitting matters, risks inherent in the ownership and operation of, or investment in, mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in the company's filings from time to time with the SEC and the Ontario Securities Commission, including, without limitation, the company's reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The definitions of proven and probable mineral reserves and resources under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 are substantially identical to the definitions of such reserves under Guide 7 of the SEC's Securities Act Industry Guides. Mineral resources are in addition to mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. Donald J. Birak, Coeur's Senior Vice President of Exploration, is the qualified person responsible for the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this document. Mr. Birak has reviewed the available data and procedures and believes the collection of exploration data and calculation of mineral reserves reported in this document was conducted in a professional and competent manner. For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the San Bartolome mineral reserves and resources, as well as a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, please see the San Bartolome Project Technical Report filed on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/ Contact: Scott Lamb, +1-208-665-0777. DATASOURCE: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation CONTACT: Scott Lamb, +1-208-665-0777 Web site: http://www.coeur.com/

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