Coeur Announces Production Startup and First Pour at New Palmarejo Silver and Gold Mine

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--(Business Wire)--
Coeur d`Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE:CDE) (TSX:CDM) (ASX:CXC) announced today
that it has started producing silver and gold at its new 100%-owned Palmarejo
mine in northern Mexico, where the first gold/silver doré was poured Saturday
evening.

"We are extremely pleased with the on-time commencement of production at
Palmarejo, Coeur`s newest mine project and one of the largest new silver/gold
mines in the world," said Dennis Wheeler, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Coeur. "We are proud of the work accomplished by our
Palmarejo team, including the local workforce, who completed construction on
schedule and on budget. Combined with production from our other new silver mine
- San Bartolomé in Bolivia - Coeur expects silver production to increase 66%
this year to approximately 20 million ounces."

The mine recently was awarded the Socially Responsible Business Distinction for
2008 by the Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia (CEMEFI) for the mine`s
demonstrated excellence in social responsibility. The award is a national
recognition of Coeur Mexicana and its ongoing contributions to community and
strategies and policies in this area. The award also recognized the way Coeur
personnel conducts its business in Mexico, and the positive working environment
for employees and contractors.

The predominantly Mexican construction and operations workforce has surpassed
1.2 million man hours without a lost time accident. The total size of the
workforce peaked at 1,750 workers in December, which included 424 operating
personnel. Going forward, the operations workforce is expected to total 454
personnel.

In 2009, Palmarejo is expected to produce 5.3 million ounces of silver and
72,000 ounces of gold at an average cash operating cost of approximately ($0.50)
per silver ounce1. Based on an initial eleven year mine plan, Palmarejo has the
capacity to produce an average of 9 million ounces of silver and 120,000 ounces
of gold annually.

Recent photos of projects and other information can be accessed through company
website at www.coeur.com

About Coeur

Coeur d`Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world`s leading silver companies
and also a significant gold producer. Coeur, which has no silver production
hedged, will see its first full year of production this year at the world`s
largest pure silver mine - San Bartolomé in Bolivia - and is now in production
at its newest operation - the Palmarejo silver/gold mine in Mexico. The Company
also operates underground mines in southern Chile and Argentina and one surface
mine in Nevada; and owns non-operating interests in two low-cost mines in
Australia. The Company also owns a major gold project - Kensington in Alaska -
and conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Coeur common
shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CDE, the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CDM, and its CHESS Depositary Interests
are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange under symbol CXC.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
securities legislation in the United States, Canada, and Australia, including
statements regarding anticipated operating results. Such statements are subject
to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control
of Coeur. Operating, exploration and financial data, and other statements in
this presentation are based on information that Coeur believes is reasonable,
but involve significant uncertainties affecting the business of Coeur,
including, but not limited to, future gold and silver prices, costs, ore grades,
estimation of gold and silver reserves, mining and processing conditions,
construction schedules, currency exchange rates, and the completion and/or
updating of mining feasibility studies, changes that could result from future
acquisitions of new mining properties or businesses, the risks and hazards
inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial
accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), regulatory and
permitting matters, risks inherent in the ownership and operation of, or
investment in, mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, as well as
other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time
with the SEC, the Canadian securities regulators, and the Australian Securities
Exchange, including, without limitation, Coeur`s reports on Form 10-K and Form
10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from
the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent or obligation to update
publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no
obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by fourth
parties in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its
securities.

1 Non-GAAP measure; defined as operating costs less by-product credits (if any)
divided by silver production; excludes royalties and taxes

Coeur d`Alene Mines Corporation
Investors
Director of Investor Relations
Karli Anderson, 208-665-0345
or
Media
Director of Corporate Communications
Tony Ebersole, 208-665-0777

Copyright Business Wire 2009