Santa Elena Mine Commissioning Phase Update 

VANCOUVER, BC - SilverCrest Mines Inc. reported on start-up production and commissioning phase activities at its 100% owned Santa Elena mine located in Sonora, Mexico. Based on revised reserve estimates, mine plan and leach cycle, the open pit mine is expected to produce approximately 800,000 ounces of silver and 30,000 ounces of gold per full year of production at an estimated life of mine cash cost of US$8 per ounce of silver equivalent using a 55:1 Ag:Au ratio on a recovered ounce basis. Based on start-up production for the first quarter and assuming Commercial Production is achieved by June, the mine is expected to produce approximately 430,000 ounces of silver and 26,000 ounces of gold for 2011.