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 Wed Apr 11, 2007
Bear Creek Updates Positive Results Of Corani Metallurgical Testing
 Vancouver, B.C. - Bear Creek Mining (TSX Venture: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Phase II metallurgical test work currently underway on its Corani silver-lead-zinc discovery.

The Phase II program is designed to provide further definition to the metallurgical characteristics of the Corani ore as well as provide additional parameters to guide design of the optimum flow sheet. All necessary elements for the project scoping study (power, access, transportation, water, social issues, and infrastructure) have been satisfactorily addressed. The Phase II metallurgical test results are required to define the process flow sheet in order to complete the study.

Andrew Swarthout, President/CEO stated "Our Phase II program is well underway and we are pleased to report that, while still in the early stages of evaluation, the results to date indicate that the Corani ores will respond well to conventional recovery technologies. Phase II metallurgy is now focused on the many avenues open to us to increase both the recoveries and the quality of the concentrates. We continue to be confident in the metallurgy at Corani and that we will define a flow sheet that will provide very acceptable recoveries. One of our most significant challenges remains the record delays from metallurgical testing facilities; a primary issue causing delays for all companies in project evaluation stages".

Phase I Summary

The first phase of test work shows that an average combined silver recovery of approximately 76% can be obtained from high-sulfide silver mineralization (see news release 27 Sept '06). Lead recoveries of plus 60% have been achieved and silver-rich lead concentrates have been produced; and, further testing is indicated in order to achieve concentrate grades that are commercially acceptable. Phase II testing is focusing on maximizing concentrate grades to achieve high-quality commercial concentrates while maintaining high metal recoveries. Zinc recoveries of 87% have been produced when ore grades are greater than 2% zinc. These higher zinc recoveries are important considering that the majority (approximately 67%) of the zinc occurs in discrete high-grade pods within the ore body which are expected to be processed separately. Importantly, deleterious trace elements are well below penalty levels in all of the concentrate products.

Phase II Summary

The second phase test work is being performed by SGS-Lakefield Laboratories in Ontario on HQ drill core specifically obtained for this program in December 2006 and involves:
  • optimizing rougher concentration parameters
  • improving flotation cleaner efficiencies, and
  • optimizing recoveries and concentrate grades.
Phase II testing is focusing on some of the areas where significant opportunities exist to further increase recoveries and concentrate grades, specifically investigating:
  • the fine-grained nature of the silver-rich sulfides and some of the galena minerals
  • finer grinding which is expected to improve recoveries of both silver and lead, and
  • suppressing the effect of clays (de-sliming) prior to the final stages of flotation which is a common processing practice.
Successful completion of these tests will likely result in higher recoveries and produce a cleaner, higher value concentrate than previously indicated by the Phase 1 tests results. SGS-Lakefield and the Company believe that existing technologies will satisfactorily address remaining metallurgical issues as well as provide significant optimization.

Recently completed chemical analysis and the detailed mineralogy show:
  • the silver occurs predominantly in silver-rich tetrahedrite (freibergite)
  • sphalerite is the only source of zinc mineralization, and
  • the lead is found primarily in galena and to a lesser degree as a lead phosphate
Tetrahedrite, galena and sphalerite all respond well to conventional flotation recovery methods.

Testing indicates that the probable recovery method will use conventional technologies including coarse grinding, flotation and fine grinding prior to final cleaning of concentrates to produce a silver-rich lead concentrate and a separate zinc concentrate. There will also likely be selective leaching of certain process streams to produce silver dore on site and maximize silver recoveries.

The Company is satisfied that the metallurgical recoveries will ultimately be comparable to the IMC recovery assumptions of 85% for silver, 65% for lead, and 65% for zinc (see news release 5 Dec '06) .

Bear Creek is also pleased to report that Peter Munro (Mineralurgy Pty LTD, Australia), a world-renowned expert in silver-lead-zinc metallurgy, has been retained by the Company to evaluate the testing results to date and provide recommendations for ongoing test work to assist in design of the process flow sheet.

Mr. Deepak Mulhotra of Resource Development Inc., a recognized expert in process design, has also been retained to assist in testing and scoping study assembly.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

- End -
Andrew Swarthout - President and CEO, or Patrick De Witt - Investor Relations
Phone: 604-685-6269 Direct: 604-628-1111
E-mail: info@bearcreekmining.com
For further information, please visit the Company's website (www.bearcreekmining.com)

Regulatory footnotes:

All of Bear Creek's exploration programs and pertinent disclosure of a technical or scientific nature are prepared by or prepared under the direct supervision of David Volkert, P.Geo., Bear Creek's Vice President of Exploration or Marc Leduc, P. Engr., Vice President Technical Services, and the President and CEO, Andrew Swarthout, P.Geo., the President and Chief Executive Officer, who serve as the Qualified Persons under the definitions of NI 43-101. All diamond drilling has been performed using HQ diameter core with recoveries averaging greater than 95%. Core is logged and split on site under the supervision of Bear Creek geologists. Sampling is done on two-meter intervals and samples are transported by Company staff to Cusco, Peru for direct shipping to ALS Chemex, Laboratories in Lima, Peru. ALS Chemex is an ISO 9001:2000-registered laboratory and is preparing for ISO 17025 certification. Silver, lead, and zinc assays utilize a multi-acid digestion with atomic absorption ("ore-grade assay method"). The QC/QA program includes the insertion every 20th sample of known standards prepared by SGS Laboratories, Lima. A section in Bear Creek's website is dedicated to sampling, assay and quality control procedures.

Certain disclosure in this release, including management's assessment of Bear Creek's plans and projects, constitutes forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to Bear Creek's operation as a mineral exploration company that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. *Any reference to the potential quantity & grade of mineralization is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the property and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in discovery of a mineral resource on the property. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Bear Creek expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.