Coeur Alaska Announces U.S. Forest Service Decision to Complete Environmental Assessment...

Coeur Alaska Announces U.S. Forest Service Decision to Complete Environmental Assessment for Kensington Gold Mine Modified Plan of Operations

Final Tailings Permitting Targeted for 4th Quarter of 2008, with
Production Startup in 2009
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho--(Business Wire)--
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE:CDE) (TSX:CDM) (ASX:CXC)
said today that the U.S. Forest Service has evaluated public and
agency comments submitted on the Draft Supplemental Information Report
for the Kensington Gold Mine in Alaska. Based on the responses and
agency input, the Forest Service has announced that an Environmental
Assessment (EA) is the preferred level of review, which could allow
for a conclusion of permitting for an alternative tailings facility
later this year. Construction of the mine and mill is essentially
completed except for the tailings facility.

"We appreciate the timely review of the Modified Plan of
Operations by the Forest Service. The EA process will provide a
well-defined and timely permitting pathway for the paste tailings
plan," said Dennis E. Wheeler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Coeur. "Coeur is now confident the environmental review
process can be completed in 2008, allowing Kensington to be brought
into production in 2009."

The draft Supplemental Information Report (SIR) prepared by the
Forest Service supported the technical soundness of the paste tailings
plan. The site selected for constructing the paste tailings facility
in the Modified Plan of Operation is the same site as was studied for
locating the dry tailings facility earlier, but is smaller and
involves less area disturbance. It also requires less energy than the
dry tailings facility. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
was prepared for a dry tailings facility at the same site in 1997.

In a separate press release issued last week, the Southeast Alaska
Conservation Council indicated their support for the paste tailings
plan as a preferred alternative over the dry tailings facility. Coeur
and SEACC collaborated in developing the new plan. The plan, supported
by over 900 studies, includes an environmental monitoring component
and extensive reclamation requirements.

Kensington is a major gold project located about 45 miles
northwest of Juneau with an estimated annual production profile of
approximately 140,000 ounces of gold. Construction of all surface
facilities, except for the tailings facility, is essentially
completed. In addition, the almost 3-mile horizontal access tunnel has
been constructed. The tunnel connects the Jualin mine site, where the
plant and mill are located, and the Kensington ore body. Proven and
probable reserves measure approximately 1.4 million ounces of gold.

About Coeur

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world's leading
silver companies and also a significant gold producer, with
anticipated 2008 production of approximately 16 million ounces of
silver, a 40% increase over 2007 levels. Coeur, which has no silver or
gold production hedged, is now set to commence production at the
world's largest pure silver mine - San Bartolome in Bolivia - and is
currently constructing another world-leading silver mine - Palmarejo
in Mexico. The Company also operates two 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 in Alaska and conducts
exploration activities in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and
Tanzania. 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 press release 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 third parties with
respect to Coeur, its financial or operating results or its
securities.

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
Investor Contact:
Karli Anderson, 208-665-0345
Director of Investor Relations
or
Media Inquiries:
Tony Ebersole, 208-665-0777
Director of Corporate Communications

Copyright Business Wire 2008