Update re El Aguila

Horizonte Minerals PLC
18 July 2006


        Horizonte Minerals plc / Index: AIM / Epic: HMZ / Sector: Mining

18 July 2006


              Horizonte Minerals plc ('Horizonte' or 'the Group')

               EL AGUILA DEMONSTRATES HIGH GRADE SILVER POTENTIAL

Horizonte Minerals plc, the AIM listed exploration and development company
focused on Brazil and Peru, is pleased to announce positive results from the
first phase of underground and surface sampling on its 100% owned El Aguila
silver-lead-zinc project in Peru.

Highlights:

  • Continuous channel sampling across replacement style mineralisation
    around the 'Veta Sur' vein returned 6 metres grading 10.7 oz/t Ag, 7.8 % Pb
    and 5.9 % Zn. (R-6502 & R-6503).

  • Underground vein sample (R-6251) returned 1.2 metres grading 13.9 oz/t
    Ag, 8.8% Pb, 2.2% Zn and 0.46 g/t Au.

  • Surface trench sampling (R-6275 to R-6282) returned 16 metres grading
    4.6 oz/t Ag, 2.8% Pb and 0.7% Zn, including (R-6278) 2 metres at 9.1 oz/t
    Ag, 6.8% Pb and 1.1% Zn (TR-2).

  • A bulk sample of 24.5 kg from old mine dumps at Pacos Hill returned 12.2
    oz/t Ag, and 13.7% Pb (R-6509).

Horizonte CEO Jeremy Martin said: 'These are positive results and reinforce our
belief that there is a significant mineralised system at Pacos Hill on the El
Aguila licence area. Importantly, the samples taken underground from the
principle veins indicate that the high metal grades display good continuity and
are laterally and vertically persistent. The trench samples also show that
mineralisation is occurring outside the veins over good widths. The planned
diamond drill programme due to begin next month will systematically test the
veins and replacement-style mineralisation with results used to establish the
resource potential of the project. The infrastructure at El Aguila is good with
direct road access and the metal grades are in-line with other producing
operations in the Cerro de Pasco silver lead zinc district.'

Vein System

Surface and underground mapping of the previously inaccessible mine workings has
defined three principle silver-lead-zinc veins present in the Pacos Hill zone
termed, the Veta Norte, Veta Sur and Veta Laguna. The veins vary in width from
0.3 to 1.2 metres and demonstrate consistent metal grades. The average grade of
20 rock channel samples taken at different vertical levels across the veins
returned 10.2 oz/t Ag, 8.6% Pb and 3.5% Zn. The current vertical extent of the
vein system based on mapping of the surface and underground exposures combined
with previous limited drilling is estimated at approximately 250 metres.

Surface Trench Results

At the vein interception points brecciation occurs and the mineralising fluids
move out and replace areas of the Pucara limestone host rock. These breccia
zones represent high priority targets silver-lead-zinc mineralisation outside
the veins. Two trenches were opened to bedrock between the Veta Norte and Veta
Sur veins to test these mineralized zones, TR-1, returning 10 metres grading 2.7
oz/t Ag, 2.5% Pb and 0.33% Zn, including 2 metres at 7 oz/t Ag 7 % Pb and 0.49%
Zn. The second trench returned returning 16 metres grading 4.6 oz/t Ag, 2.8% Pb
and 0.7% Zn, including 2 metres at 9.1 oz/t Ag, 6.8% Pb and Zn 1.1% (TR-2).

The results are length-weighted average grades of continuous two metre channel
samples taken along the bottom of the trenches, the average depth of the
trenches was 1.5 metres.

Sampling, assaying, and QA/QC

Procedures adopted by Horizonte in the collection, preparation and storage of
samples from the El Aguila sampling program, conform to industry-wide best
practice and with chain of custody being observed for all samples. Analysis is
undertaken by ALS Labs at its laboratories in Lima, Peru and the Company
maintains QA/QC on all analytical work via the inclusion of certified reference
materials and field duplicates and blanks, in addition to monitoring of the
laboratory's own internal check-analyses.

The above information has been reviewed and verified by Mr. Jeremy Martin, a
Director and Chief Executive of Horizonte, for the purposes of the Guidance Note
for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in March
2006. Mr. Martin, with six years of mining and management experience, graduated
with a degree in geology from the Camborne School of Mines, and an MSc in
mineral exploration from the University of Leicester and is a member in good
standing with the Society of Economic Geologists and the Institute of Mining
Analysts.


                                  * * ENDS * *

For further information visit: www.horizonteminerals.com


Contacts

Jeremy Martin/David Hall Horizonte Minerals plc   Tel: [phone]

David Paxton Hichens Harrison                     Tel: [phone]

Hugo de Salis St Brides Media & Finance Ltd       Tel: [phone]

John Frain/Fergal Meegan Davy                     Tel: [phone]







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