Toronto, April 18, 2011 – Scorpio Mining Corporation (TSX:SPM) (“Scorpio Mining” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to report record production results for the first quarter of 2011 (“Q1”).

Parviz Farsangi, President and CEO, reports: “First quarter 2011 was a record production quarter for Scorpio Mining. The Nuestra Señora operation overcame some set-backs to produce better than forecasted overall metal. Combined with the current high metal price environment and cash proceeds of $5,171, 695 from sale of over 8.1 million shares of Scorpio Gold during the quarter, we are well placed to eliminate our debt during the coming month. Nuestra Señora has now delivered solid performance in two consecutive quarters and we are confident that our 2011 commitments will be met.”

First Quarter Production – 2011

• Mill throughput for Q1 2011 was 122,062 tonnes; an increase of 32% compared to 92,658 tonnes processed in Q1 2010.


• Recovered silver for Q1 2011 totalled 368,866 ounces; an increase of 89% compared to 195,665 ounces recovered in Q1 2010.


• Recovered zinc for Q1 2011 totalled 5,856,347 pounds; an increase of 68% compared to 3,479,252 pounds recovered in Q1 of 2010.


• Recovered copper for Q1 2011 totalled 731,078 pounds; an increase of 161% compared to 280,473 pounds recovered in Q1 2010.


• Recovered lead for Q1 2011 totalled 1,834,694 pounds; an increase of 2% compared to 1,802,514 pounds recovered in Q1 2010.


• Recovered silver equivalent ounces* for Q1 2011 totalled 862,319 ounces; an increase of 74% compared to 496,870 ounces recovered in Q1 2010.

* For comparative purposes the metal prices used to calculate silver equivalent ounces recovered are based upon the approximate weighted averages realized throughout 2010 and are as follows: lead US$0.96 per lb; zinc US$0.96 per lb; copper US$3.40 per lb and silver US$20 per oz.

Performance Issues of Q1 2011

Difficulties with the availability of key mobile mining equipment during Q1 2011 caused some divergence from the mining plan as well as the delivery of stockpiled low-grade ore to the processing plant. That situation was resolved by the end of February and enabled overall metal production to return to forecast.

At the end of Q1 2011, zinc and silver production was significantly ahead of forecast (+25% and +7%, respectively) and copper was slightly behind (-6%). Some lead production was sacrificed in the effort to maximize silver. At the end of Q1 2011, lead was 14% behind forecast.

Confirmation of 2011 Guidance & Production Forecast

Notwithstanding the drop in Q1 lead production, the Corporation confirms that the previous guidance for its 2011 production forecast remains unchanged at this time; specifically:

• Recovered silver in all concentrates is estimated at 1,370,000 ounces.


• Recovered zinc in zinc concentrate is estimated at 18,749,000 pounds.


• Recovered copper in copper concentrate is estimated at 3,102,000 pounds.


• Recovered lead in lead concentrate is estimated at 8,563,000 pounds.