Current mining activities are focused on resuming production and development from both the 3100 level in the Sunshine vein area and 2700 level in the West Chance area.

Initial work in the Sunshine vein area is to mine, and develop access to mine 1.38 million oz over the next 18 months. In the West Chance area, work is directed toward resuming mining and development by mid- April, targeting 1.82 million oz that are planned to be mined during 2008 and 2009. In addition, Sterling has identified ore blocks between the 2900 and 3250 levels that will be developed later this year to meet 2008 and 2009 forecasted production goals.

Sterling began producing ore from the Sunshine vein area on 3100 level in late February after rehabilitation of the lower mine’s secondary escapeway and support services including electrical substations and diesel repair shop. Diesel equipment necessary for mining activities had to be disassembled on the surface, lowered more than 3,100 ft down the Jewell shaft and re-assembled. Crews have also initiated two development projects in the area. The first to access an identified ore block containing over 700,000 oz and the second to access 3400 level for ventilation and connect with an existing ramp from the 3700 level. This work will allow the resumption of mining activities in two additional stopes below 3400 level upon completion of 3700 level dewatering. The development projects are also engineered to provide new platforms for diamond drilling into favorable target areas that previously had no access for drilling.

Rehabilitation activities have also accelerated on the 2700 level in advance of production from this area. Drift repair, including re-installing ground support for several hundred feet was completed on 3100 level to re-establish the West Chance secondary escapeway.

Sterling crews have also initiated diamond drilling on the 2700 level to explore areas adjacent to measured resource blocks. Any new discoveries in this program will add to the production mix and can be easily developed from the existing infrastructure.

Electrical service, compressed air and water utilities have been re-established and the diesel repair shop outfitted. Diesel equipment is currently being lowered and re-assembled to commence production.

The mine’s sandfill system has been outfitted with new controls that will allow resumption of sandfilling on lower levels. The classified, hydraulically transported sand produced during the milling process is necessary to provide ground support in extraction areas as well as a stable platform for mining as ore removal proceeds upward.

“Resuming ore production from both the 2700 and 3100 levels is a very significant milestone on the Sunshine’s path to long-term sustainable production and is key to meeting our 2008 forecast,” said De Motte. “Pursuing development to reach identified ore zones will also be a major component of our plan for increasing production over the next three years. Furthermore, ongoing development will establish additional drill stations for expanding exploration at the Sunshine mine.”

Mining of the Sunshine vein is continuing from the Sterling Tunnel. Development with diesel equipment is progressing to access the producing area lying approximately 70 ft below the initial cut at the Sterling Tunnel elevation. Diamond drilling activities are also continuing with contract drillers scheduled to begin probing a completely unexplored area of the Yankee Girl vein in early April. The Yankee Girl vein was mined extensively on lower levels of the mine.

The company was preparing to ship its third delivery of concentrates by the end of March, and anticipates increasing shipments in the second and third quarter and currently has an arrangement to ship up to 200 tons of concentrate to an offshore smelter.