"We are pleased with the steady start to 2013, for which operating costs and production were consistent with budget and mine plan, however, our financial performance in comparison to the extraordinary stellar first quarter of 2012, was impacted by lower metal prices and our decision to accelerate waste removal resulting in less ore processed and ultimately fewer ounces of gold sold compared to the first quarter 2012. Our operating team continues to tightly control operating costs, which resulted in the average cash operating cost of ($7.69) per ounce during the first quarter which was less than the corporate guidance of $8.50 per silver equivalent ounce. We are comfortable that, as the strip ratio declines during the second half of 2013 and the ore grades in the pit continue to increase, we will meet our corporate market guidance of 625,000 ounces of silver and 33,000 ounces of gold for 2013."