TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 15, 2011) – ECU Silver Mining Inc. (TSX:ECU) reports that it has recently released its consolidated financial statements for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 (Q1 2011) and the related management’s discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations (MD&A). The Company increased revenues by 88% and cash flows from mining operations by 149% over the same period ending March 31, 2010 (Q1 2010). The Q1 2011 financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The Company generated net revenues from the sale of doré bars and concentrates for a total of $5,966,092, representing a 6.9% decrease over Q4 2010. The decrease in revenue is a result primarily of lower gold grades. Overall grades are expected to increase as mining moves into new development stopes which have not been impacted by historical mining of high grade material.
The revenues were applied against cash development costs of $4,383,608 bringing the net positive cash flow to $1,612,484 for Q1 2011. The cash development costs were 14.3% higher than Q1 2010 due to increased labour and materials in the mine and at the mills.
Cash balance as at March 31, 2011 was $1,219,934, an increase of 254% over the cash balance as at December 31, 2010.
In Q1 2011 the operations generated silver (Ag) totaling 85,600 ounces and gold (Au) totaling 1,893 ounces. In addition, the mines generated 161,977 pounds of lead (Pb) and 172,736 pounds of zinc (Zn). Expressed in terms of silver equivalent (AgEq) ounces, and based on average commodity prices over the period, total metal output was approximately 180,000 AgEq ounces.
Shipments for Q1 2011 consisted of: 80,118 Ag ounces, 2,553 Au ounces, 108,215 Pb pounds, and 164,965 Zn pounds. Expressed in terms of silver equivalent ounces, and based on average commodity prices over the period, the Company shipped approximately 201,000 AgEq ounces during this period.
During Q1 2011, the Company reported a loss of $2,081,960, or $0.007 per share, versus $1,915,436, or $0.006 per share, over the same period in Q1 2010.
Copies of the financial statements and related MD&A can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.
About ECU Silver
ECU Silver Mining Inc. is focused on the exploration, development and mining of gold, silver and base metals at its Velardeña District Properties in Durango, Mexico. The Company holds a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource of 40 million silver equivalent ounces in the measured and indicated category and 391 million silver equivalent ounces in the inferred category. The Company also owns two mills with a combined capacity of 820 tonnes per day. ECU’s mission is to become a pre-eminent silver and gold producer through the development of its existing and potential mineral resources at Velardeña.
