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Santacruz Silver Announces First Quarter 2014 Production Results/ Ramp Up Program at Rosario Mine is on Schedule

Vancouver, B.C. – Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSX.V:SCZ) (the “Company” or “Santacruz”) is pleased to announce first quarter 2014 production of 159,729 silver equivalent ounces from the Company’s Rosario Mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This production represents a 260% quarter over quarter increase as compared with Q4 2013 and demonstrates the Company is on schedule to meet its production target of between 850,000 to 1,100,000 silver equivalent ounces by the year-end 2014. 

At the end of the first quarter, the mine was producing at about 240 tonnes per day (“tpd”) driven largely by increased production from the recently accessed Level II of the Rosario Mine. The main ramp is now advancing towards Level III. 

The installation of a third ball mill is proceeding on time and on budget, with commissioning scheduled for May.  Once the third ball mill is commissioned the Rosario milling facility will have a 700 tpd-installed capacity, thereby providing opportunity for the Company to custom mill up to 200 tpd of third party ore in addition to milling ore feed from the Rosario Mine.

“With the Rosario Mine steadily increasing the ore delivered to the mill, together with the imminent commissioning of the third ball mill, we are well on our way to our annual production target for 2014,” stated Arturo Préstamo, CEO of Santacruz.  “While the first quarter production numbers represent an important milestone for the Company, we are focused on continuing production growth as we progress through 2014.”

First Quarter 2014 Operations Highlights (Compared to 4th Quarter 2013)