Vancouver, B.C. — Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (“Santacruz” or the “Company“) Santacruz is pleased to provide an update on its Rosario project, located in the mining district of Charcas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The environmental permits for both the underground development and mine construction have been received for the Rosario project. This is a positive development for the project as it is the Company’s intention to commission the mill within the first quarter of 2013. Detailed engineering and construction work continues on the project and is on schedule for the Company’s production target timeline.

“With these environmental permits in place, we now have the ability to rapidly advance the Rosario project into production,” said Arturo Prestamo Elizondo, Santacruz’s President and CEO. ” The focus of the company is to bring the Rosario project into production within the first quarter of 2013, and to start generating cash flow for Santacruz. The granting of these permits provides us with the ability to meet our targets.”

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.
Santacruz Silver is focused on three advanced stage silver deposits in Mexico with a corporate objective to reach production by first quarter 2013. The Company aims to become a mid-tier silver producer (targeting to produce +5million Ag equivalent ounces) within the next 3 to 4 years. For 2013, Santacruz is focused on increasing resources to more than 50million ounces of silver equivalent on each of its three properties.

For further information please contact:

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Neil MacRae
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (778) 999-4653

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All scientific or technical nature information herein was approved by Harald Hoegberg and Randy Henkle (both of whom are qualified persons as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Hoegberg and Mr. Henkle are independent consultants for Santacruz.