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Silvercrest Mines Inc. (TSXV:SVL)

SilverCrest Continues to Expand Main Zone at Santa Elena, Mexico

 

VANCOUVER, B.C. April 8, 2008 – SilverCrest Mines Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to report results for the next series of core holes of an “expanded” Phase II  drill program at its Santa Elena Project located in northern Mexico.  The Santa Elena Project is located approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and is easily accessible with excellent local infrastructure. The Company has the right to acquire a 100% interest in the property.

The most notable intercepts of this series of holes were encountered in SE08-70, which intercepted 21 metres (68.88 feet) grading 1.41 gpt gold and 109.53 gpt silver and in SE08-75, which intercepted 11.4 metres (37.39 feet) grading 2.83 gpt gold and 150.15 gpt silver. Overall, the results for expansion drilling continue to show strong, continuous gold and silver values over widths of 11 to 21 metres as drilling moves east and to depth. Average width of the Main Zone in the eastern area is approximately 15 metres and is similar to the rest of the deposit. The Main Zone has been traced on surface for approximately 1300 metres and has been encountered in drill holes to a vertical depth of more than 500 metres.

The Company’s current NI 43-101 compliant resource is based on 40 drill holes and the on-going drill program is currently drilling hole SE08–81.  Including the holes reported below, the Company has provided results for 75 holes. The 16 core holes reported below (see attached drill plan for hole locations) are part of the current program to in-fill and expand the recently reported NI 43-101 Indicated and Inferred Resources (see news release dated November 15, 2007) for the project. The detailed results are shown below:

Santa Elena Main Zone

Weighted Average Grades

Drill
Hole

From
(m)

To
(m)

Interval
(m)

Interval
(ft)

Au
gpt

Ag
gpt

Au
gpt equiv*

Ag
gpt equiv*

Note


SE07-59

38.8

40

1.2

7.51

1.91

15.9

2,22

111.4

In-fill

SE07-60

25.5

37.5

12.0

39.36

0.73

22.45

1.18

59.35

In-fill

SE07-61

47.3

54.7

7.4

24.37

0.22

15.18

0.52

26.40

In-fill

SE07-62

85.0

106.0

21.0

68.88

1.71

83.62

3.38

169.23

Expansion

includes

88.0

100.0

12.0

39.36

2.68

129.10

5.26

263.47

Expansion

includes

91.0

100.0

9.0

29.52

3.23

147.86

6.18

309.36

Expansion

SE07-64

55.5

61.4

5.9

19.35

0.41

26.18

0.93

46.79

Expansion

SE07-65

167.0

179.0

12.0

39.36

1.37

108.07

3.53

176.90

Expansion

SE08-68

308.4

329

20.6

67.37

0.26

23.23

0.72

36.23

Expansion

SE08-70

257.0

278.0

21.0

68.88

1.41

109.53

3.60

180.17

Expansion

includes

274.2

278.0

3.8

12.46

5.16

342.72

12.02

601.00

Expansion

SE08-72

263.9

284.6

20.7

67.89

1.08

123.15

3.54

177.25

Expansion

includes

263.9

276.9

13.0

42.64

1.51

180.33

5.11

255.88

Expansion

SE08-73

226.3

240.6

14.3

46.90

1.60

151.74

4.63

231.79

Expansion

includes

226.3

230.0

3.7

12.13

3.25

390.00

11.05

552.50

Expansion

SE08-75

202.4

213.8

11.4

37.39

2.83

150.15

5.84

292.15

Expansion

includes

209.4

213.8

4.34

14.23

5.12

294.66

11.01

550.85

Expansion

*Conversions are based on a ratio of 1:50 Au:Ag and assume 100% metal recovery. All numbers are rounded.

Holes SE07-62 through SE08-75 are considered “expansion” holes and are outside the boundaries of the current resource estimates shown in the table below. These holes are being incorporated into a new resource model with revised resource estimates expected to be announced in the second quarter of 2008. No significant faulting or displacement of the Main Zone has been identified to date. The expansion drilling has identified a high grade zone of gold and silver values, plunging to the southeast, with lower grade values above and below the higher grade zone. Grades range from approximately 1.4 to 5.1 gpt gold and 109.5 to 342.7 gpt silver. Gold values appear to be relatively consistent within this range while silver grades appear to be increasing to the east and to depth.

Hole SE08-63 and SE08-64 intercepted the eastern extension of Main Zone near surface. The zone is approximately 30m wide and is anomalous in Au, Ag, Ba, and Sb. This is fairly typical of the upper levels of high level, epithermal mineralization in stockwork veining.. The down dip extension of the Main Zone approximately 175 metres below SR08-63 was intercepted in hole SE08-72, and returned 20.7m of 1.08 gpt Au and 123.15 gpt Ag.  The Main Zone still remains open to the east and to depth and will be further tested with the remaining 10 to 15 holes of the Phase II drill program.

Hole SE08-69 intercepted silver-lead-zinc mineralization at a vertical depth of approximately 525 metres with most assays still pending. This is the first hole to depth that has intercepted any appreciable amount of base metals.

Hole SE08-71 was drilled in the Footwall Zone immediately adjacent to the Santa Elena Main Zone and showed minimal gold and silver values. The Footwall Zone consists mainly of quartz stockwork in shears and structures that are generally perpendicular to the Main Zone. There has been sufficient drilling in the Foot Wall Zone for it to be included in the next resource estimate as it would likely be mined as a part of any proposed initial open pit.

Drill holes SE07-66, SE08-67 and SE08-74 were drilled outside the Main Zone area to test geophysical targets. Results for these holes show no significant values, however, large breccia zones with substantial pyrite (5%-40%) were encountered that may be indicative of a nearby mineralized system. The geophysical signatures of the anomalies are quite similar to that exhibited by the Main Zone and are quite extensive. Additional exploration will be required to determine if potentially economic metal values can be identified.

All samples were analyzed at ALS-Chemex Labs in Hermosillo, Mexico and North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The most recent resource estimate for Santa Elena is shown in the table below:

Santa Elena Silver and Gold Resources

Property

Resource Category¹

Tonnes

Ag
gpt

Au
gpt

Tons

Ag
opt

Au
Opt

Contained Silver Ounces

Contained Gold Ounces

Santa Elena²

Indicated

7,378,300

74.20

1.81

8,133,200

2.16

0.053

17,600,900

428,700

 

Inferred

2,608,000

73.06

1.37

2,874,800

2.13

0.040

6,125,700

114,800

1 Conforms to NI 43-101, 43101CP and current CIM definitions for resources. All numbers are rounded. Measured resources included in Indicated.

2    Cutoff grade is 30 gpt Ag equivalent (0.5 gpt Au equivalent).

Detailed results for the drilling, surface and underground sampling related to the resource calculation can be found in numerous press releases filed on SEDAR (sedar.com) or on the Company’s web site (www.silvercrestmines.com).

J. Scott Drever, President stated; “We continue to be impressed with the continuity, predictability and strength of the Main Zone. Using our geological model we are able to predict projected intersections within a few metres. Based on this predictability we have contracted a reverse circulation drill that will enable us to pre-collar a number of deeper holes and then core the zone intersection with the core drill that is on site. This will speed the process of exploration while reducing overall costs significantly. Meanwhile, we have essentially concluded the technical and economic aspects of our pre-feasibility study and are in the process of having it vetted by independent Qualified Persons. The Environmental Impact Study that is required for permit applications for a potential open pit, heap leach operation is complete and is expected to be filed in the next few weeks.”

N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng. and Chief Operating Officer for SilverCrest Mines Inc. and Qualified Person for this news release has reviewed and approved its contents.

SilverCrest Mines Inc. is a “Silver Focused” exploration and development company with a portfolio of high grade silver deposits and exploration properties located in Mexico and El Salvador. This property portfolio, which includes reported indicated and inferred silver resources and substantial exploration potential, provides an important base from which SilverCrest can develop its corporate objective of becoming a significant silver asset based company. The Company’s immediate initiative is to acquire and develop substantial silver resources and ultimately to operate high grade silver mines throughout North, Central and South America.


This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company’s control.  These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

SilverCrest Mines Inc.

“J. Scott Drever

 

J. Scott Drever, President

For further information, please contact:

Fred Cooper

1311 Howe Street, Suite 405

Vancouver, BC V6Z 2P3

Telephone: (604) 691-1730  

Fax:  (604) 691-1761

Email: info@silvercrestmines.com

Website: www.silvercrestmines.com

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