Minefinders Commences Leaching at the Dolores Mine

VANCOUVER, BC - Minefinders Corporation Ltd. reported the commencement of leaching operations at its Dolores gold and silver mine in Chihuahua, Mexico and provide an update on mine operations.
"Leaching of the first ore panel has commenced and we anticipate first gold and silver production in the next few weeks" said Mark Bailey, Minefinders' President and CEO. "This is a significant milestone in the commissioning of the Dolores Mine and an exciting time for our shareholders and those who have been instrumental in the effort to bring this deposit from a grassroots discovery to production."
Mining rates at Dolores continue to meet the mine plan and to date more than 13.5 million tonnes of ore and waste have been moved. The three stage crushing rate has reached 15,000 tonnes per day and is expected to increase to the design capacity of 18,000 tonnes per day as minor commissioning issues are addressed by site personnel. There are now over 300 employees and contractors employed full time in the operation with an additional 250 construction contractors completing ancillary works at the site. The majority of the construction contractors should be demobilized by year end.
The processing facilities, mining operations and support facilities including the warehouse, assay lab and new office complex are now fully operational with the maintenance facilities expected to be commissioned by month end.
The Company has successfully arranged a second revolving credit facility with Scotia Capital for an additional $10 million, providing additional working capital in this challenging financing environment. Management expects to meet its cash requirements from funds in place or available through non-equity sources until positive cash flow commences, anticipated by year end.
The Dolores Mine continues to be fully supported by a majority of the local community and ejidatarios, as well as by other community representatives. The state and federal governments have continued to enforce the Company's right to safe access to the mine following intermittent blockades and threats of violence conducted earlier this summer by a small protest group.
Mine management has an ongoing dialogue with the local Ejido and community leaders and maintains an open door policy for government officials and interested parties to visit the mine and see firsthand the Company's commitment to the local communities and environmentally responsible operations.
The Company negotiated a comprehensive agreement with the Ejido in 2006 for the development and long-term operation of the mine. In connection with that agreement and in addition to compensation payments, the Company constructed a new village and infrastructure for the local community. The new Dolores village includes electrical, water and sanitation services not previously available to the local population. In addition, the Company constructed public facilities including a new primary school for local children, a modern medical facility with onsite medical professionals, a church and community center, as well as town offices.
Minefinders is a precious metals mining and exploration company. The Company is in the final stages of commissioning the multi-million ounce Dolores gold and silver mine in Mexico. The mine is expected to have a more than 15-year life as an open pit mine with additional potential as a high-grade underground mine in the future. The Company continues its exploration efforts on several other prospective projects in Mexico to build a quality pipeline of precious metals projects for future growth.
The Dolores open pit mine currently has 99.3 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves containing 2.44 million ounces gold and 126.6 million ounces of silver. Additional resources being considered for underground development occur at depth below the designed pit bottom and in several peripheral structures.
The company's address is 2288-1177 W Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3, (604) 687-6263, fax: (604) 687-6267 .