Q2 Production Results

Hochschild Mining PLC 11 July 2007 11 July 2007 Hochschild Mining plc Quarterly Production Report for the three months to 30 June 2007 ('Q2') Highlights: * 20% increase in total silver production quarter-on-quarter and 14% increase year-on-year * 13% increase in total gold production quarter-on-quarter although slightly lower than the same period last year * Hochschild is on schedule with its expansion from three operations in one country to six operations in three countries * Hochschild is on track to reach its 2007 production target of 26 million silver equivalent attributable ounces (14 million attributable silver ounces and 200 thousand attributable gold ounces) Eduardo Hochschild, Chairman of Hochschild Mining plc, commented 'We are delighted to be announcing strong production results today that show the benefits of our expansions. Already this year we have expanded two of our plants and commenced production at San Jose and with two more mines scheduled for commencement of production in the current quarter, 2007 will be a transformative year for the company. These figures show that we are on track to deliver on our IPO promises, to meet our targets to increase production this year and to achieve our 50 million silver equivalent ounce target by 2011.' Overview: Overall production in Q2 increased as a result of increased capacity at all three operating units, and higher grades for both silver and gold at Arcata. Production at Selene was relatively flat despite increased throughput capacity as a result of lower head grades mined. Capacity Expansions: Following the completion of the capacity expansion at Ares in the first quarter, the capacity expansion at Arcata from 350 ktpa to 420 ktpa was successfully completed in the second quarter. In addition, the capacity expansion at Selene has been initiated and will take the plant from 350 ktpa to 700 ktpa. The expansion at the Selene plant is on track for completion in Q3 and will accommodate the ore from Pallancata. Last week Hochschild announced plans for an expansion at its new San Jose mine to double capacity in Q3 2008 and to reduce costs by joining the project to the southern national grid. New Projects: 2007 is a transformative year for Hochschild with the group moving from three mines in one country to six mines in three countries. San Jose, the group's first mine in Argentina commenced production on time, during Q2, and will start to make a significant contribution to the group in the second half of 2007. Pallancata in Peru and Mina Moris in Mexico remain on track to commence production in Q3 of this year. Joint Ventures: Since the end of the quarter, Hochschild has announced a new strategic alliance with its existing partner at the Moris mine in Mexico, EXMIN Resources Inc. ('EXMIN'), has increased its stake in EXMIN and has gained right of first offer on certain exploration properties in the Sierra Madre region. TOTAL PRODUCTION Q2 Q1 Q2 2007 2007 2006 Silver production (Koz) 3,073 2,561 2,684 Gold production (Koz) 48.04 42.66 49.03 Total silver equivalent (Koz) 5,955 5,120 5,626 Total gold equivalent (Koz) 99.25 85.33 93.76 ARCATA Product Q2 Q1 Q2 2007 2007 2006 Ore production (tonnes) 94,421 82,092 65,883 Average head grade silver(g/t) 569.03 491.25 584.51 Average head grade gold (g/t) 1.44 1.30 1.51 Concentrate produced (tonnes) 4,099 3,349 2,578 Silver grade in concentrate (kg/t) 11.36 10.54 13.36 Silver produced (Koz) 1,497 1,134 1,107 Gold produced (Koz) 3.74 3.00 2.73 ARES Product Q2 Q1 Q2 2007 2007 2006 Ore produciton (tonnes) 84,138 72,266 71,514 Average head grade silver (g/t) 261.80 252.80 312.45 Average head grade gold (g/t) 14.66 15.03 17.86 Dore total (Koz) 690.15 564.09 711.58 Silver produced (Koz) 650 529 670 Gold produced (Koz) 38.11 33.49 39.59 SELENE Product Q2 Q1 Q2 2007 2007 2006 Ore production (tonnes) 100,389 90,192 89,941 Average head grade silver (g/t) 328.00 349.92 347.59 Average head grade gold (g/t) 2.32 2.55 2.71 Concentrate produced (tonnes) 947 861 915 Silver grade in concentrate (kg/t) 30.96 32.62 30.80 Silver produced (Koz) 925 897 906 Gold produced (Koz) 6.19 6.16 6.71 The Group will announce its Interim Results for the first half of 2007 on 18th September. Please visit our website for more details on upcoming events www.hochschildmining.com. Enquiries: Hochschild Mining plc Wray Barber +44 (0)20 7152 6014 Head of Investor Relations Finsbury Robin Walker +44 (0)20 7251 3801 Public Relations - ends - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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