Minera mine halts production due to labour dispute

2009-09-09 09:17 ET - News Release

Mr. Art Johnson reports

MINERA ANDES ANNOUNCES WORK STOPPAGE AT SAN JOSE MINE

Minera Andes Inc. has been advised by Minera Santa Cruz SA that production was suspended Monday at the San Jose mine in Argentina due to a dispute over certain workplace issues with the local mining union, AOMA (Asociacie Obrera Minera Argentina). The San Jose project is operated by MSC, which is owned 51 per cent by Hochschild Mining PLC and 49 per cent by Minera Andes.

Daily production at the San Jose mine has been running at a rate of approximately 32,600 silver equivalent ounces (of which the share attributable to Minera Andes is approximately 16,000 silver equivalent ounces).

The corporation will keep the market informed of developments as they occur.