Scorpio Mining Reports Record Quarterly Production in First Quarter 2011

TORONTO, April 18 /CNW/ --
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN
THE U.S./

TSX:SPM

TORONTO, April 18 /CNW/ - Scorpio Mining Corporation (TSX: SPM)
('Scorpio Mining' or the 'Corporation') is pleased to report record
production results for the first quarter of 2011 ('Q1').

Parviz Farsangi, President and CEO, reports: 'First quarter 2011 was a
record production quarter for Scorpio Mining. The Nuestra Señora
operation overcame some set-backs to produce better than forecasted
overall metal. Combined with the current high metal price environment
and cash proceeds of $5,171, 695 from sale of over 8.1 million shares
of Scorpio Gold during the quarter, we are well placed to eliminate our
debt during the coming month. Nuestra Señora has now delivered solid
performance in two consecutive quarters and we are confident that our
2011 commitments will be met.'

First Quarter Production - 2011

    --  Mill throughput for Q1 2011 was 122,062 tonnes; an increase of
        32% compared to 92,658 tonnes processed in Q1 2010.
         
    --  Recovered silver for Q1 2011 totalled 368,866 ounces; an
        increase of 89% compared to 195,665 ounces recovered in Q1
        2010.

    --  Recovered zinc for Q1 2011 totalled 5,856,347 pounds; an
        increase of 68% compared to 3,479,252 pounds recovered in Q1 of
        2010.

    --  Recovered copper for Q1 2011 totalled 731,078 pounds; an
        increase of 161% compared to 280,473 pounds recovered in Q1
        2010.

    --  Recovered lead for Q1 2011 totalled 1,834,694 pounds; an
        increase of 2% compared to 1,802,514 pounds recovered in Q1
        2010. 

    --  Recovered silver equivalent ounces* for Q1 2011 totalled
        862,319 ounces; an increase of 74% compared to 496,870 ounces
        recovered in Q1 2010.

        * For comparative purposes the metal prices used to calculate
        silver equivalent ounces recovered are based upon the
        approximate weighted averages realized throughout 2010 and are
        as follows: lead US$0.96 per lb; zinc US$0.96 per lb; copper
        US$3.40 per lb and silver US$20 per oz.

Performance Issues of Q1 2011

Difficulties with the availability of key mobile mining equipment during
Q1 2011 caused some divergence from the mining plan as well as the
delivery of stockpiled low-grade ore to the processing plant. That
situation was resolved by the end of February and enabled overall metal
production to return to forecast.

At the end of Q1 2011, zinc and silver production was significantly
ahead of forecast ( 25% and 7%, respectively) and copper was slightly
behind (-6%). Some lead production was sacrificed in the effort to
maximize silver. At the end of Q1 2011, lead was 14% behind forecast.

Confirmation of 2011 Guidance & Production Forecast

Notwithstanding the drop in Q1 lead production, the Corporation confirms
that the previous guidance for its 2011 production forecast remains
unchanged at this time; specifically:

    --  Recovered silver in all concentrates is estimated at 1,370,000
        ounces.|

    --  Recovered zinc in zinc concentrate is estimated at 18,749,000
        pounds.

    --  Recovered copper in copper concentrate is estimated at
        3,102,000 pounds.

    --  Recovered lead in lead concentrate is estimated at 8,563,000
        pounds.

Depending on actual metal prices, the Corporation may vary the planned
mining sequence such that revenues are maximized. Should that occur,
the actual make up of metal production may vary from this guidance.

Scorpio Mining's Mexico Country Manager, John A. Sadek, B.Eng. (Mining),
MAusIMM, is a Qualified Person for the Corporation's Mexico projects
and has reviewed the content of this release. 

ON BEHALF OF SCORPIO MINING CORPORATION 

Parviz Farsangi


President & CEO

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable
Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to, statements with respect to production,
objectives, strategy, mine operations, exploration, future performance
and forecasts, our management team, and plans. Generally, these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking
terminology such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is
expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'projects', 'intends',
'anticipates', or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or 'variations
of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or
results 'may', 'can', 'could', 'would', 'might', or 'will' be taken',
'occur' or 'be achieved'. Forward-looking statements are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
Scorpio Mining Corporation to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but
not limited to: risks related to the exploration and development and
operation of the Nuestra Señora and La Verde projects, risks related to
international operations, construction delays and cost overruns,
equipment breakdowns, the actual results of current exploration,
development and construction activities, conclusions of economic
evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be
refined, future prices of silver, zinc, copper, lead and gold, risks
relating to completing acquisition transactions as well as those
factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our
business filed in Scorpio Mining Corporation's required securities
filings on SEDAR, including its Annual Information Form dated March 30,
2011. Although Scorpio Mining Corporation has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause results to differ materially from
those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause results to be materially different from those
anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially
from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should
not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Scorpio Mining
Corporation does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements
that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with
applicable securities laws.

To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2011/18/c4856.html

Rich Kaiser, YES International: 1-800-631-8127; 001-757-306-6090 (outside North America)
Email: rkaiser@scorpiomining.com