VANCOUVER, B.C. May 21, 2008 – SilverCrest Mines Inc. (the “Company”) reports that it has reached several important milestones in advancing the Santa Elena project to production.  Those important achievements are:

• Environmental Impact Assessment submitted April 28, 2008. Official review period is 90 business days.
• Pre-Feasibility Study in final review by independent QP’s. Results expected over the next several weeks.
• Land Use Change authorization granted April, 2008.

The Company has submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment / Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) for the Santa Elena project in Sonora Mexico. The MIA was officially submitted on April 28, 2008 to the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales of Mexico (SEMARNAT) for review and is the principal document in the application process for a mine operating permit. The official review period for the MIA is 90 business days during which requests for additional information may be made by SEMARNAT.

Over the past 12 months, the Company has been systematically completing a Pre-Feasibility Study and the MIA with the expectation of submitting an application for mining operations. The Pre-Feasibility Study is currently undergoing final review by independent Qualified Persons and will result in the re-estimation of resources and the conversion of approximately 70%-80% of the current Indicated Resources to Probable

Reserves which will include a Proven Reserve component. Completion of this review will also enable the Company to present the full set of financial and operating parameters used to determine the economic viability of the project.

J. Scott Drever, President stated; “The submittal of the Environmental Impact Assessment is obviously an important milestone in our drive to move this project to production. We believe we have produced an exceptionally complete document that should receive approval within the official review period. We are also looking forward to being able to disclose the results of our Pre-Feasibility Study in the next couple of weeks and are confident that it will support our internal studies that show the Santa Elena project to be extremely robust at current precious metal prices. We expect to begin committing to equipment and plant purchases in the next few weeks to maintain the planned time line for full production in the first half of 2009.”

The Company submitted an application for a Land Use Change authorization to re-classify the mine site area usage from forestry to mining. The application was submitted by the Company to SEMARNAT in January, 2008. The authorization was granted in April, 2008 and can be activated by paying the prescribed fee. Payment of this fee will be made in conjunction with the receipt of approval of the MIA.
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.

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.