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TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Jan. 9, 2013) – McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE:MUX)(TSX:MUX) is pleased to announce that it has successfully achieved commercial production at El Gallo Phase 1 in Sinaloa State, Mexico on January 1, 2013. On September 24th, the Company announced that it had poured its first bar of gold at the mine. Subsequent to the first pour, the mine has been steadily increasing mine, crusher and leaching production and is now operating at 90% of the designed capacity. Final ramp-up is expected to be achieved during the First Quarter. El Gallo Phase 1 is forecasted to produce approximately 30,000 ounces in 2013. Operating costs will be reported starting in the First Quarter. Final 2012 production figures for the San José mine (Argentina), El Gallo Phase 1, and guidance for 2013 is expected to be provided in the coming week.
About McEwen Mining (www.mcewenmining.com)
The goal of McEwen Mining is to qualify for inclusion in the S&P 500 by 2015 by creating a high growth, low-cost, mid-tier gold producer focused in the Americas. McEwen Mining’s principal assets consist of the San José Mine in Santa Cruz, Argentina (49% interest); the El Gallo Complex in Sinaloa, Mexico; the Gold Bar Project in Nevada, US; the Los Azules Project in San Juan, Argentina and a large portfolio of exploration properties in Argentina, Nevada and Mexico.
McEwen Mining has 300,605,735 shares issued and outstanding. Rob McEwen, Chairman, President and Chief Owner, owns 25% of the shares of the Company. As of December 31, 2012, McEwen Mining had cash and liquid assets of approximately US$70 million and is debt free.
Technical Information
The technical contents of this news release has been reviewed and approved by William Faust, Chief Operating Officer, a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian Securities Administrator National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“43-101”).
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
McEwen Mining reports its resource estimates in accordance with standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). These standards are different from the standards generally permitted in reports filed with the SEC. Under NI 43-101, McEwen Mining reports measured, indicated and inferred resources, measurements which are generally not permitted in filings made with the SEC. According to Canadian NI 43-101 criteria, the estimation of measured resources and indicated resources involve greater uncertainty as to their economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 criteria, measured, indicated and inferred resources are considered Mineralized Material. The SEC considers that in addition to greater uncertainty as to the economic feasibility of Mineralized Material compared to proven and probable reserves, there is also greater uncertainty as to the existence of Mineralized Material. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured or indicated resources will be converted into economically mineable reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources.
