· To-date in January, silver ounces precipitated, are close to the ounces generated in November and December of 2009, combined.

Outstanding!

This is great news and I agree that we have probably turned a corner. I think the months ahead will be telling and I am anxious to see ECU get back to drilling.

The Company will also continue to ramp up its 320 tpd sulphide plant, also located in Velardeña, which will generate additional gold and silver metals contained in concentrates, for 2010.

This will only mean even better results and profitability going forward and hopefully the SP will follow the substantial gains that have been made by the company in production.