Pan American Silver to Expand its La Colorada mine -- VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2013 All Amounts Expressed in US$ Unless Otherwise Stated VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Pan American Silver Corp. (NASDAQ: PAAS) (TSX: PAA) ("Pan American" or the "Company") has decided to proceed with the expansion of its La Colorada mine in Zacatecas, Mexico, based on the positive results of a recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA" or the "Assessment"). The PEA demonstrates that the relatively low-risk expansion project has the potential to provide robust after-tax economic returns using a $19 per ounce long-term silver price. The PEA contemplates an increase in silver production from the current level of approximately 4.7 million ounces per year to 7.7 million ounces per year by the end of 2017, for an incremental capital investment of $80 million, the majority of which will be spent over the next 3 years. PEA Project Highlights* 64% increase in estimated annual silver production from current 4.7 million ounces forecast for 2013, to 7.7 million ounces in 2018 when the full expansion Project is completed 39% reduction in estimated cash costs from $10.00 forecast for 2013, to $6.10 per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits in 2018 Increase mining and processing rates from current 1,250 tpd to an estimated 1,500 tpd by mid-2016 and to 1,800 tpd by the end of 2017 Installation of a new 600-metre deep shaft and hoist between the Candelaria and Estrella mining zones Expansion and upgrade of the current sulphide processing plant An estimated minimum project mine life of 10 years at increased capacity, based on mid-year 2013 reserves and resources estimate Incremental expansion capital estimated to be $80 million, the majority of which will be spent over the next 3 years Assuming a $19/oz silver price, the estimated after-tax net present value (NPV**) of the incremental cash flow at a 10% discount is $38.6 million, with an internal rate of return (IRR) estimated at 22% and a capital payback period of 2.5 years. At a $25/oz silver price, the estimated 10% NPV increases to $71.7 million, the estimated IRR jumps to 32% and the payback period is reduced to 2.0 years Additional exploration success at La Colorada could meaningfully increase the economic potential of an expanded operation Prices assumed are $19.00 per Ag oz, $1,200 per Au oz, $1,850 per tonne Zn, $2,100 per tonne Pb and $7,000 per tonne Cu. The PEA is based on La Colorada's estimated mineral reserves and resources as of December 31, 2012. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes the use of inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Thus, there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Actual results may vary, perhaps materially. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. ** The NPV is calculated based on the differential cash flow from expanding the mine versus status quo operation, over the next 10 years. Commenting on the La Colorada expansion project, Geoff Burns, President & CEO of Pan American said, "We have had exceptional exploration success at La Colorada and have grown the mine's reserves and resources considerably." Burns continued, "La Colorada has become a core long-term asset for the Company and we are pleased to be able to turn this exploration success into an organic expansion project with considerable economic potential. Even at today's silver price, it makes sense to invest a relatively modest amount of capital to significantly increase our low-cost silver production at this high-grade and long-life asset. This is a low-risk project, at one of our best-performing and most stable mines, which we can comfortably finance with our internal resources. I am very pleased that our Board of Directors has unanimously decided to transform La Colorada into our largest silver producer and I look forward to fully realizing La Colorada's potential. Scope of the Expansion Project La Colorada's expansion project will be built progressively, ramping up from the current mining and processing rates of 1,250 tpd to 1,800 tpd by the end of 2017. Once the expansion is complete, La Colorada's annual production capacity is estimated to grow 64% to approximately 7.7 million ounces of silver in 2018. The mine's expansion will be achieved through the construction of new mining infrastructure, the development of new mining zones to reach deeper, higher-grade areas of mineralization and the expansion of the sulphide ore processing plant. A new 600-metre deep shaft will be constructed between the main Candelaria area that contains the NC2 and HW veins, and the Estrella area that contains the Amolillo vein, utilizing a highly efficient raise boring technique. The new shaft, which over the long term would be required whether or not we had decided to proceed with the expansion, will increase hoisting capacity to 2,300 tpd, accommodating ore and waste extraction as well as serving as the main access to working areas for mine personnel and materials. Preliminary engineering work for the new shaft and hoist has already been conducted and detailed engineering will begin in early 2014. Construction of the new shaft is scheduled to start early in 2015, following completion of sufficient underground development around the shaft bottom, and is expected to be commissioned in the later part of 2016. The new shaft will allow for increased underground development rates to access additional mining areas, allowing production rates to rise. The shaft and associated hoisting equipment will be designed such that it can be deepened in the future if justified by future exploration success. Mining at both the Estrella and Candelaria areas will continue utilizing the cut-and-fill methods currently being successfully employed. The capacity of the ventilation and dewatering systems will be increased to handle the mine's hot and wet ground conditions as mining operations extend at depth. The expansion plan also includes the addition of 22 new pieces of mining equipment to the fleet and the hiring of over 100 additional mining personnel. Total throughput at La Colorada's processing plants will progressively increase from today's 1,250 tpd to 1,800 tpd by 2018. The mine currently produces doré bars from a conventional cyanide leach plant for the oxide ore, and silver-rich lead and zinc concentrates from a floatation plant that treats the sulphide ore. Both circuits currently share a single crushing plant. While the oxide plant will not be modified due to La Colorada's oxide production remaining at current levels for the rest of the mine's life, the sulphide plant will be expanded to treat the increased sulphide ore feed. Expansion of the sulphide plant to 1,500 tpd will be implemented through the installation of a new crusher and grinding mill. The existing zinc flotation cells will be converted to lead floatation and a new zinc floatation circuit will be built. The plan also includes an upgrade and expansion of the plant's dewatering circuits and installation of a new 115 kV power line connection to the national grid replacing the existing 33 kV lines. Work on the plant's expansion will commence in early 2015 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2016. The Company's decision to expand the La Colorada mine as described herein is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and as such may be subject to increased uncertainty and risks. Estimated Capital Expenditures The total incremental expansion capital over the next 4 years has been estimated at $80 million, the majority of which will be spent from 2014 to 2016. The suphide plant expansion, additional mining equipment and accelerated development, plus several important infrastructure upgrades account for the largest portion of the incremental capital for the project. The Company expects that the expansion project can be completed without materially disrupting the current operation or ongoing exploration efforts. Total capital to be invested at La Colorada over the next four years is estimated at $163.8 million (excluding exploration), for both ongoing operations and the expansion project, as shown in the following table: Area ($ Million) 2014-2017 LOM + Expansion Capital 2014-2017 Expansion Capital Only Major Projects Shaft & Hoist Installation Plant Expansion Infrastructure Upgrades Underground Development Additional Mine Equipment Initial Sulphide Tailings Expansion Project Indirects Sub Total Projects Other Capital Normal Mine and Plant Sustaining Capital Ongoing Tailings Dam Expansions Sub-total Other Capital Total Capital Economic Highlights The PEA for the La Colorada expansion demonstrates that the project has the potential to be robust at current prices. Assuming a long term silver price of $19 per ounce, and prices of $1,850 per tonne of zinc and $2,100 per tonne of lead, the expanded mine has the potential to generate estimated net revenues of $1.4 billion and after tax, undiscounted net cash flow of $372 million over the next 10-years 2014 through 2023, including the new Mexican mining taxes. The PEA estimates an after tax net present value of $38.6 million at a 10% discount rate, an estimated IRR of 22% and an estimated payback period of 2.5 years. Using a long term silver price assumption of $25 per ounce, the expansion project's economic potential becomes even more attractive with an estimated NPV of $71.7 million at a 10% discount rate, an estimated IRR of 32% and an estimated payback period of 2 years as shown in the following table: Ag$19/oz Ag $25/oz Net Revenue* Undiscounted Net Cash Flow* Total Mine 10% NPV Expansion 10% NPV* Payback Period 2.5 years 2 years Net revenue, net cash flow and Total Mine NPV are for the next ten years of operations ** The Expansion NPV is calculated based on the differential cash flow from expanding the mine versus status quo operation. Exploration Potential The PEA is based on an update to La Colorada's mineral reserves and resources, as of December 31, 2012. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. See our technical report entitled "Technical Report for the La Colorada Property, Zacatecas, Mexico" with an effective date of December 31, 2012 for more information about associated QA/QC and data verification matters. A further update to the mineral reserve and resource estimate will be available in February 2014, when the Company updates its consolidated mineral reserve and resources. The expansion plan contemplates production down to the 740 level in the East side of the Candelaria area, over 200 meters below the current deepest 528 mining level and down to the 610 level of the Amolillo vein, nearly 250 meters below the current deepest 365 mining level. Currently the deepest positive drill hole in the Candelaria area intercepted ore-grade mineralization down to the 1,010 level, over 270 metres below the deepest level designed in the expanded mine plan and down to the 735 level of the Amolillo structure (125 metres below the deepest level designed in the expanded mine plan). These deep drill results are indicative of deep seated structures with significant potential, well beyond the PEA mine plan. There is also further exploration potential along strike, especially on the west side of the Amolillo vein. Within 45 days following the issuance of this news release, Pan American will file a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, which will reflect the results of this PEA. Qualified Persons The PEA and this press release were prepared under the supervision and review of Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Executive VP Corporate Development & Geology and Martin Wafforn, P.Eng., VP Technical Services, who are the Company's Qualified Persons for the purposes of NI 43-101. About Pan American Silver Pan American's mission is to be the world's pre-eminent silver producer, with a reputation for excellence in discovery, engineering, innovation and sustainable development. The Company has seven operating mines in Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia and several development projects in USA, Mexico, Peru and Argentina. SOURCE Pan American Silver Corp.