COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to recent news reports out of Bolivia, Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation wishes to clarify its position related to the development of the San Bartolome silver mine in the Potosi region of that country. The Bolivian national mining company, Corporacion Minera Bolivia ("Comibol"), is the underlying owner of all of the mining rights relating to the San Bartolome project (with the exception of the Thuru property, which is owned by the Cooperativa Reserva Fiscal, a local miners cooperative). In essence, Comibol already owns virtually all of the mining rights for the associated land package at Coeur's San Bartolome project. Comibol's ownership derives from the Supreme Decree 3196 in October 1952, when the government nationalized most of the mines in Potosi, except for Thuru. Except for Thuru, Comibol has leased the mining rights for the surface sucu or pallaco gravel deposits to several Potosi cooperatives. The cooperatives in turn have subleased their mining rights to Coeur's subsidiary Manquiri through a series of "joint venture" contracts. In addition to those agreements with the cooperatives, Coeur, through its subsidiary Manquiri, holds additional mining rights under lease agreements. All of Manquiri's mining and surface rights collectively constitute the San Bartolome project. As previously announced, Coeur has been proceeding with its capital investment in the project at a measured pace as it gains additional clarity concerning the political situation in Bolivia. The company currently expects to resume full-scale construction activities at July 1, 2006. At December 31, 2005, the company had approximately $35 million invested in the San Bartolome project. Such amount is insured by a risk insurance policy from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The policy is in the amount of $155 million and covers 85% of any loss arising from expropriation, political violence, or currency inconvertibility. Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is the world's largest publicly traded primary silver producer and has a strong presence in gold. The Company has mining interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Nevada, and Idaho. 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, 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. Contact: Scott Lamb 208-665-0777 DATASOURCE: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation CONTACT: Scott Lamb of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation, +1-208-665-0777 Web site: http://www.coeur.com/

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