Arcata Expansion

15 May 2007 11:05

Hochschild Mining PLC15 May 2007 HOCHSCHILD COMPLETES ARCATA EXPANSION Expansion will increase capacity to 424 kpta Hochschild Mining plc is pleased to announce that the expansion of its Arcataprocessing plant has been completed ahead of schedule and on budget. Theexpansion will increase Arcata's capacity from 1,000 tpd (353kpta) to 1,200 tpd(424 kpta). Arcata, one of the group's three existing gold and silver operations in Peru,expects to increase its silver production to an estimated 5.4 million oz in 2007from 4.7 million oz in 2006. Gold production is expected to increase to 14k ozin 2007 from 11.9k oz in 2006 Hochschild Mining plc is on track to increase its production from 23.3 millionAq Eq oz (388 k Au Eq oz) in 2006 to at least 26 million Ag Eq oz ( 433 k Au Eqoz) in 2007. Eduardo Hochschild, Chairman of Hochschild Mining plc, said "I am delighted to announce the completion of this significant expansion projectahead of schedule and on budget. We are on track to achieve our production goalsfor the year and to deliver the full growth programme set out at the time of ourIPO. This will take Hochschild Mining up to 50 million ounces of silverequivalent production by 2011." Enquiries:Hochschild Mining plcWray Barber +44 (0)20 7152 6014Head of Investor Relations FinsburyRobin Walker +44 (0)20 7251 3801Public Relations About Hochschild Mining plc Hochschild Mining plc (HOC.L for Reuters / HOC LN for Bloomberg) is a publiclyheld company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Hochschild is a leadingprecious metals company with a primary focus on the exploration, mining,processing and sale of silver and gold. The Company currently operates threeunderground epithermal vein mines located in southern Peru. The Company also hasthree advanced stage development projects, one in each of Mexico, Peru andArgentina and one early stage development project in Mexico. In addition, theCompany has over twenty long-term prospects throughout Latin America. TheCompany has over forty years experience in the mining of precious metalepithermal vein deposits. For further information please visitwww.hochschildmining.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange