TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 17, 2012) - Iberian Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:IZN) today announced preliminary production results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.
Iberian is pleased to report that it has met previously issued 2011 guidance. Preliminary 2011 production results are presented below.
Spanish Operations - Aguas Tenidas Mine:
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Production Unit Q4 2011 YTD
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Copper ores
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Ore processed T 293,600 1,161,000
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Copper grade % 2.22 2.21
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Concentrate DMT 24,300 97,500
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Contained copper FMT 5,520 21,930
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Recovery rate % 84 85
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Fine silver Oz 66,700 283,900
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Polymetallic ores
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Ore processed T 238,200 870,100
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Zinc grade % 5.34 5.61
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Zinc concentrate DMT 18,370 69,270
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Contained zinc FMT 8,800 33,200
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Recovery rate % 69 68
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Copper grade % 1.06 1.09
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Copper concentrate DMT 5,800 16,990
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Contained copper FMT 1,370 3,950
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Copper recovery rate % 54 42
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Lead grade % 1.57 1.66
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Lead concentrate DMT 7,140 30,670
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Contained lead FMT 1,490 5,700
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Lead recovery rate % 40 40
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Fine silver Oz 173,600 678,000
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Comments for Aguas Tenidas operation:
-- Contained copper metal production was 4% above budget.
-- The copper ore circuit copper recovery was 85% versus budget of 83%.
-- The zinc recovery rate for the polymetallic circuit was 68% (target of
66%).
-- Ores processed (combined copper and polymetallic) were 5,565 tpd. Ore
throughput was impacted by the rolling strikes in August and September
with a loss of 4 days of production. Despite lower ore throughput the
metallurgical performance of the poly-metallic circuit was improved as a
better grinding of the ore was achieved. This resulted in metal
production within budgeted parameters.
Peruvian Operations - Condestable Mine:
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Production Unit Q4 2011 YTD
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Ore processed T 594,900 2,364,000
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Copper grade % 0.96 1.06
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Concentrate DMT 21,800 94,000
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Contained copper FMT 5,200 22,600
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Fine gold Oz 3,260 13,850
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Fine silver Oz 76,100 317,000
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About Iberian Minerals Corp.
Iberian Minerals Corp. is a Canadian listed global base metals company with interests in Spain and Peru. The Condestable Mine, located in Peru approximately 90 km south of Lima operates at 2.2 million tonnes per year producing copper, and associated silver and gold in a concentrate. The Aguas Tenidas Mine is in the Andalucia region of Spain approximately 110 km north-west of Seville and operates a 2.2 million tonnes per year underground mine and concentrator that produces copper, zinc and lead concentrates that also contain gold and silver.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward looking information may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performances of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and their respective projects, the timing and amount of estimated future production, estimated costs of future production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, the future price of copper, gold and zinc, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of exploration, development and mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation and rehabilitation expenses, title disputes or claims, and limitations of insurance coverage. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Corporation and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include changes in market conditions and other risk factors discussed or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Corporation's annual information form dated March 29, 2010. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Neither 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Iberian Minerals Corp.
Laura Sandilands
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
416-815-8558
Source: Iberian Minerals Corp.
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