Operations Improve At Copper Mountain Mine

VANCOUVER, BC - Copper Mountain Mining reported that operations at the Copper Mountain Mine located in southern BC have continued to improve since operations started.

Copper production guidance for the last quarter of 2012 is 20 million pounds of copper, an increase over prior quarters as a result of improvements to the mill operation. Total copper production for 2012 is forecast to be approximately 60 million pounds of copper. The forecast for the balance of the year from September through December is to operate at an average 35,000 tpd with an average head grade of 0.35% copper.

The mine plan has been under review by the mine engineering team to optimize the mining sequence to maximize copper production. This optimization is progressing well for completion by year end. The short term portion of the plan has been completed and mining in Pit 2 has been accelerated to be developed in parallel with Pit 3. Mine production is continuing at the planned rate of about 160,000 tpd.

Improved blasting techniques, finer crushing, improved ore blending and modified operation procedures, coupled with the more favorable operating time have allowed the mill to operate at its 35,000 tpd design level.

Following the planned mill maintenance shutdown at the start of August; whereby the recently received newly designed grates were installed in the SAG mill, and electrical modification to the ball mill motor were made, as well as repairs to the tailings line, the Company has experienced above design operating performance from the mill. Mill operating time averaged 97% for the period following the grate change out providing confidence that the excessive down time during the ramp up period has been overcome.

Mill operating time was negatively impacted during the last two months of the second quarter and into July mainly associated with SAG mill grate repairs and extensive tailings line maintenance, both of which are now complete. Ramp up to full production has been longer than expected and very challenging.

The company's address is 1700, 700 W Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1G8, (604) 682 2992, fax: (604) 682 2993.