CashInfo.org

Posts Tagged ‘MAI’

TORONTO, ONTARIO – August 13 2010 – Minera Andes Inc. (the “Corporation” or “Minera Andes”) (TSX: MAI and US OTC: MNEAF) is pleased to announce net income of $4.6 million ($0.02 per share basic and diluted) for the three month period ended June 30, 2010, compared to net income of $0.9 million ($0.00 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2009. All amounts in this news release are in US dollars unless otherwise noted. Our financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis are available under the Corporation’s profile at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

The increase in net income for the quarter was primarily due to an increase of $4.0 million in income on our investment in Minera Santa Cruz (”MSC”), which was partially offset by an increase of $0.3 million in total expenses for the quarter. This increase in expenses was a net result of a foreign currency exchange loss (due to a lower Canadian dollar) and an increase in legal expenses for the quarter, partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative costs.

Minera Andes has a 49% interest in the San José mine which is operated by MSC in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, an emerging gold/silver region home to many producing mines. Net proceeds realized by MSC from the sale of silver and gold for the quarter totaled $49.4 million as compared to $27.8 million for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $21.6 million due to higher production and mill throughput as well as higher realized metal prices for both silver and gold. Net income at MSC for the second quarter was $11.3 million, an $8.9 million increase from the first quarter of this year. Silver and gold production came in at 1,220,794 ounces of silver and 19,707 ounces of gold, which were 48% and 20% higher respectively compared to the first quarter of this year. These figures are presented on a 100% basis.

The average weighted gross sale price for silver and gold sold for the quarter was $18.21 per ounce and $1,233 per ounce respectively, an increase of 8% and 12% respectively compared to the first quarter of this year. On a per ounce co-product basis the average production cash cost was $9.22 per ounce of silver and $602 per ounce of gold as compared to last quarter’s cash cost of $9.15 per ounce of silver and $599 per ounce of gold.

Minera Andes also has 100% ownership of the Los Azules copper deposit in San Juan, Argentina, and 100% ownership of a portfolio of exploration properties in the Deseado Massif region in Santa Cruz. Los Azules has inferred mineral resources of 900 million tonnes grading 0.52% copper, equivalent to 10.3 billion pounds of copper, as well as indicated resources of 137 million tonnes grading 0.73% copper, equivalent to 2.2 billion pounds of copper. The Deseado Massif is a highly prospective area host to major silver-gold deposits and producing mines.

As of June 30, 2010, Minera Andes had approximately $8 million in cash and cash equivalents, and continues to have no bank debt. Working capital at June 30, 2010 totaled $5.5 million.

About Minera Andes

Minera Andes is an exploration company exploring for gold, silver and copper in Argentina with three significant assets: A 49% interest in Minera Santa Cruz SA, owner of the San José Mine, a large primary silver producer that produced 4,998,000 oz of silver and 77,070 oz gold in 2009; 100% ownership of the Los Azules copper deposit; and a portfolio of exploration properties in the highly prospective Deseado Massif region of Santa Cruz Province in southern Argentina. The company has no bank debt.

This news release has been submitted by Perry Ing, Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.

For further information, please contact: Daniela Ozersky or visit our Web site: www.minandes.com.

Daniela Ozersky
Manager, Investor Relations
99 George St. 3rd Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5A 2N4
Toll-Free: 1-866-441-0690
Tel: 647-258-0395
Fax: 647-258-0408
E-mail: info@minandes.com

Source: Company Website

TORONTO, ONTARIO – July 21, 2010 – Minera Andes Inc. (the “Corporation” or “Minera Andes”) (TSX: MAI and US OTC: MNEAF) announces the San José mine production results for the second quarter of 2010. During the second quarter, the San José mine produced 1,220,794 ounces of silver and 19,707 ounces of gold, of which 49% is attributable to Minera Andes.

*49% of the San José mine production is attributable to Minera Andes Inc.

Compared to the first quarter of 2010, the 2010 second quarter silver production was 48% higher and gold production was 20% higher. The increase in silver and gold production was primarily the result of higher mine production and mill feed tonnage compared to the first quarter. Mill throughput in the second quarter of 2010 was 20% higher than the previous quarter. In the second quarter the silver head grade increased 26% compared to the first quarter, and the gold head grade was 2% lower than the first quarter. The improved silver grades are related to ongoing development of the Kospi vein. Compared to the second quarter of 2009, the second quarter 2010 silver production decreased 3% and gold increased 9%.

Average daily mill throughput during the second quarter of 2010 was approximately 1,280 tonnes per day, which is 15% below the mill capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day. According to Minera Santa Cruz, our operating joint venture entity managed by Hochschild Mining plc (”MSC”), the mill operated below capacity due to lower mine production. As previously reported, mine production has been adversely impacted by delays in underground mine development.

MSC has further advised us that the development delays also impacted production grades because access to certain higher grade stoping areas was delayed. Consequently, second quarter 2010 mill feed grades continue to be lower than the average 2009 head grades. However, MSC has advised Minera Andes that they expect the grades to improve during the second half of the year

Milling operations are performing satisfactorily with recoveries in line with budget expectations. A series of modifications were made to the mill during 2009 and the first half of 2010 that resulted in improved operating efficiencies. A small Merrill Crow circuit was also installed in the fourth quarter of 2009 that is resulting in the recovery of incremental silver ounces and slightly improved silver recoveries. Aside from normal sustaining capital, which includes mine development and exploration, the Corporation is not aware of any new capital projects at San José.

Second quarter production cost information will be provided jointly with second quarter financial results.

Sales of silver and gold were 75% and 55% higher, respectively, in second quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter as a result of increased ore production and a decrease in products inventory. Compared to the same quarter last year, sales of silver in the second quarter of 2010 were 24% lower while gold sales were at about the same level. This was due to lower ore production in the second quarter of 2010, differences in head grades and inventory liquidations in the second quarter of 2009.

This news release is submitted by James K. Duff, Chief Operating Officer of Minera Andes Inc.

About Minera Andes
Minera Andes is an exploration company exploring for gold, silver and copper in Argentina with three significant assets: A 49% interest in Minera Santa Cruz SA, which owns the San José Mine, one of the world’s largest primary silver producers that produced 4,998,000 million oz silver and 77,080 oz gold in 2009; 100% ownership of the Los Azules porphyry copper deposit in San Juan province, Argentina; and, a portfolio of exploration properties in the highly prospective Deseado Massif region of Santa Cruz Province in southern Argentina. Minera Andes had approximately $15 Million USD in cash and no bank debt as at March 31, 2010.

For further information, please contact: Daniela Ozersky or visit our Web site: www.minandes.com.

Daniela Ozersky
Manager, Investor Relations
99 George St. 3rd Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5A 2N4
Toll-Free: 1-866-441-0690
Tel:647-258-0395
Fax: 647-258-0408
E-mail: info@minandes.com