Form 6-K
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER TO RULE 13A or 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
For the Month of: July, 2007   File No.: 000-13727
PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)
Suite 1500, 625 Howe Street Vancouver British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T6
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
     
Form 20-F     o   Form 40-F     þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).
     
Yes     o   No     þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).
     
Yes     o   No     þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
     
Yes     o   No     þ
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 -                    .
Submitted herewith:
  1.   Form 43–101 Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project
  2.   Press Release dated July 20, 2007
 
 

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  PAN AMERICAN SILVER CORP.

 
 
Date: July 24, 2007  “Robert Pirooz”    
  General Counsel   
       
 

 


 

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TECHNICAL REPORT
FOR THE
SAN VICENTE MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
POTOSÍ BOLIVIA
Effective: June 6, 2007
PREPARED BY:
Martin Wafforn, P. Eng
Michael Steinmann, P. Geo
Douglas K. Maxwell, P.E.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
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LIST OF FIGURES
             
Figure 1-1  
Location of the San Vicente mine in Bolivia
    65  
Figure 1-2  
San Vicente Mine Location Map in Potosi
    66  
Figure 1-3  
San Vicente Mine General Site Layout
    67  
Figure 1-4  
San Vicente Mine — Mine Site General Layout
    68  
Figure 1-4a  
San Vicente Mine, Mining Concessions
    69  
Figure 1-4b  
San Vicente Mine, Geology Map
    70  
Figure 1-5  
Longitinal Section of a Typical Shrinkage Stope
    71  
Figure 1-6  
Longitudinal Section Showing the Modified Avoca Longhole Mining Method
    72  
Figure 1-7  
San Vicente Mine Deposit Areas
    73  
Figure 1-8  
Geology Map
    74  
Figure 1-9  
San Vicente Process Plant Flow Diagram
    75  
Figure 1-10  
Process Plant General Arrangement
    76  
Figure 1-11  
Section of 6 de Agosto Vein
    77  
Figure 1-12  
Section of Litoral Vein
    78  

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LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A Certificates and Consents
Appendix B Diamond Drill Hole Intercepts
Appendix C Channel Sampling Results
Qualified Persons
Ø      Certificate of Qualified Persons and Consent of Authors
         
Responsibility   Qualified Person   Registration
Mineral Resource Modelling   Michael Steinmann, PAS   P. Geo.
Mineral Reserves   Martin Wafforn, PAS   P.Eng.
Geology   Michael Steinmann, PAS   P.Geo.
Mine Planning   Martin Wafforn, PAS   P.Eng.
Metallurgy   Douglas K. Maxwell, Lyntek   P.E.
Process Plant Design   Douglas K. Maxwell, Lyntek   P.E.
LIST OF TABLES
         
Table 1 San Vicente Mineral Reserves
    8  
Table 2 San Vicente Mineral Resources
    8  
Table 3 References
    11  
Table 4 Mining Concessions
    13  
Table 5 Water Sources
    15  
Table 6 Occurrence of Veins in San Vicente Mine. (Modified from JICA, 1979)
    20  
Table 7 Mineralogy of San Vicente Veins Recognized Under Microscope
    23  
Table 8a Summary Data San Vicente Surface Diamond Drill Holes
    27  
Table 8b Summary Data San Vicente Underground Diamond Drill Holes
    30  
Table 8c Diamond Drilling Check Assays
    33  
Table 9 Lyntek Recommended Metal Recoveries
    36  
Table 10 Anticipated Plant Metal Recoveries
    37  
Table 11 Specific Gravity by Vein
    38  
Table 12 Dilution Calculation
    39  
Table 13 Resource Metal Prices and Factors
    39  
Table 14 San Vicente Mineral Reserves
    40  
Table 15 San Vicente Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
    41  
Table 16 San Vicente Inferred Mineral Resources
    42  
Table 17 Mining Method — Cost per tonne
    46  
Table 18 Mechanized Equipment
    46  
Table 19 Life of Mine Plan
    47  
Table 20 San Vicente Closure Cost Estimate
    53  
Table 21 Capital Cost Estimate Summary
    56  
Table 22 Life-of-Mine Unit Operating Costs
    59  
Table 23 Economic Model
    61  
Table 24 Metal Price Sensitivity
    62  
Table 25 Metal Grade Sensitivity
    62  
Table 26 Capital Cost Sensitivity
    63  
Table 27 Operating Cost Sensitivity
    63  
Table 28 Copper Grade Samples
    63  
Table 29 Copper Revenue Sensitivity
    64  

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1.0 TITLE PAGE
This Technical Report has been prepared in accordance with the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“N.I. 43-101”) and the contents herein are organized and in compliance with Form 43-101F1 Contents of the Technical Report (“Form 43-101 F1”). The first two items are the Title Page and the Table of Contents presented previously in this report. They are mentioned here simply to maintain the specific report outline numbering required in Form 43-101F1.
2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS
See discussion in Section 1.
3.0 SUMMARY
3.1. Background
This Technical Report has been compiled from studies completed by an international team of professionals and consultants for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project. Mr. Martin Wafforn, P. Eng. Vice President of Mine Engineering of Pan American Silver Corp. (“PAS”), Dr. Michael Steinmann, P. Geo. Senior Vice President of Exploration and Geology of PAS, and Mr. Douglas K. Maxwell, P.E. of Lyntek Inc. are the co-authors of this report. Each of Mr. Wafforn, Dr. Steinmann and Mr. Maxwell is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in N.I. 43-101.
The goal of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project described in this Technical Report is to expand the current mine capacity from approximately 250 tonnes per day (“TPD”), to 750 TPD. The San Vicente Mine Expansion Project includes the construction of a new process plant and tailings storage facility at the mine site.
3.2. Property Ownership, Location and Description
PAS has a 94.999% interest in Pan American Silver Bolivia (“PASB”), a Bolivian company that holds a 50% joint venture interest in, and is the operator of the San Vicente property. The remaining interest in the joint venture is held by Corporación Minera de Bolivia (“COMIBOL”), the Bolivian state mining company. Trafigura Beheer B.V. (“Trafigura”), a commercial trading company domiciled in Holland holds a 5% interest in PASB with the remaining 0.001% being held by Pan American Silver Peru S.A.
Pursuant to the joint venture agreement entered into with COMIBOL in 1999, with respect to the development of the San Vicente property, PASB is obligated to pay COMIBOL a participation fee of 37.5% of the operations cash flow. Once the commercial production phase of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project begins, the COMIBOL participation fee will be reduced by 75% until PASB recovers its investment in the property. Thereafter the COMIBOL participation fee will revert back to 100% of the participation fee described above.
In May 2007, PAS purchased the 40% interest in PASB that was held by Empresa Minera Unificada S.A. (“EMUSA”), a Bolivian company. EMUSA has retained 80% of a 2.0% net smelter return royalty interest in the property that is payable only, after recovery of the costs to complete the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project from January 1, 2007 up to the point of commercial production; after recovery of the cost of the purchase of EMUSA’s 40% interest in PASB; and is only payable in a calendar quarter where the average price of silver is $9.00 per ounce or greater.
The San Vicente silver-zinc mine is located at latitude 21°-16´south and longitude 66°-19´west in the southern end of Bolivia in the Province of Sud-Chichas, Department of Potosí. The mine is 460 kilometres south of the city of Oruro and 300 kilometres west of Tarija. Access is by dirt road 100 km west of the town of Tupiza and 150 km south of Uyuni. The property is in the Andean High Plateau (Altiplano), at approximately 4,400 metres above sea level, with semi-arid climatic conditions. The land is sterile and rugged.

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The project consists of 13 mining concessions totalling 7,075 hectares that are part of COMIBOL’s contribution to the joint venture. Of the concessions, five, totalling 662 hectares, start with the name “Aguas” which is Spanish for water. However, all of the concessions include the rights for mining, water and surface usage. PASB has continually complied with the joint venture agreement (and various addendums thereto), and as a result the project and the concessions are in good standing. All mining property concessions of the San Vicente property are in the name of COMIBOL, and contractually PASB is responsible for paying the annual mining tenure tax. These payments are currently up to date.
3.3. Geology and Mineralization
The regional sedimentary sequence consists of a basement of a thin sequence of Palaeozoic marine siliciclastic sediments overlying non-continuous cretaceous continental sediments, and a package of thick continental clastics of Tertiary age of the Potoco and San Vicente Formations. Various thin intrusive volcanic flows with an intermediate composition are also included in the Tertiary sequence. The Palaeozoic sediments were folded before the deposition of the Cretaceous sediments. Sedimentation in the tertiary basin was controlled during the Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene periods by thrust faults to the east and west.
The lithology of the Project area is relatively simple. Included are the fanglomerate facies of the San Vicente formation, which are in contact with Ordovician shales along the San Vicente fault. The fanglomerate consists of poorly sorted conglomerate with clastic sub angular fragments of Palaeozoic sediments cross cut by quartz veins. The matrix is red in colour and consists of iron bearing sandstone.
The structural environment of the mine area consists of a series of pre-mineral faults dipping 50-80 degrees and striking west-northwest. They are part of the first and second tension shearing pattern of structures with an environment of tension running east-west caused by a thrust of the San Vicente fault.
Mineralization in the district is known to cover an area of 3 by 4 kilometres to a depth of 300 metres. It consists of vein mineralization in pre-existing faults, dissemination in brecciated conglomerates in the San Vicente fault and mineralization in dacitic dykes.
3.4. Exploration and Development
There has been sporadic mining activity in the San Vicente area since colonial times. Initial exploitation was the mining of oxidized silver from exposed veins. The first written records of mining activity were in 1820, when the area was named the Guernica Mine. Several different owners operated the mine from 1911 through 1950. From 1950 until 1952, the Aramayo Mining Company operated the mine. In 1952, the Bolivian government nationalized the mine and placed it under control of COMIBOL. Following the discovery of new silver and zinc veins in the late sixties, COMIBOL constructed the Vetillas concentrating plant in 1972 with a capacity of 400 tonnes per day. The mine was operated by COMIBOL until 1993, at which time mining was suspended pending the privatization of mining in Bolivia. In 1995, the San Vicente property was offered for a joint-venture contract by COMIBOL. On June 21, 1999, PASB signed a joint-venture agreement (Contrato de Riesgo Compartido) with COMIBOL. In late 2001, PASB and COMIBOL, the Bolivian state mining company that optioned the San Vicente property to PASB, entered into a two-year toll milling agreement with EMUSA, to process up to 250 tonnes of San Vicente’s ore per day at EMUSA’s nearby Chilcobija mill. In late 2005, PASB and COMIBOL entered into an additional 7-month toll milling agreement with EMUSA to process up to 250 tonnes of San Vicente’s ore per day at EMUSA’s nearby Chilcobija mill. This toll milling agreement was renewed for an additional 150,000 tonne program that is currently in progress. The economic analysis assumes that COMIBOL will approve an additional program for mining in 2008 and that the toll milling agreement will be extended.

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The PASB exploration program began in 1999 following the execution of the joint venture agreement with COMIBOL. The work started with mapping and sampling the surface and was followed by the construction of drill access roads and platforms. Contracts were established with Leduc Drilling and Exploration Core Drilling S.R.L., and a total of 21 holes (3,831 m) were drilled from surface using HQ core and a further 8 holes (405 m) from underground using NQ core. These holes targeted the old stoping areas, continuations of the principal veins along strike and at depth, and other veins to the northeast and south of the mine. Since the start of the exploration program, a total of 109 diamond core holes have been drilled, with 2,575 vein intercepts sampled with varying lengths from 0.2 metres to 7.14 metres.
In addition to the diamond drilling, a sampling program was started in the mine. An initial 41 channel samples were taken in four of the principal structures (6 de Agosto, Adela, Litoral and Unión). The results of the surface drilling showed wider intersections than had previously been mined underground and so the channel samples were unable to explore the full width of each vein. After this realization, mining work was undertaken to develop small cross section cross cuts (1.5 m by 2.0 m) at a maximum of 75 metres apart along strike in the four veins on levels 0, -30, -70 and -110 in order to explore the full economic width of each vein. Some 5,807 channel samples were taken by COMIBOL and a further 2,449 channel samples taken by PAS. Some of the PAS channel samples replace the COMIBOL channel samples where the vein width is actually greater than was initially thought by COMIBOL.
Exploration activities continued in 2004 with the concept of drilling 13,919 metres of surface and underground diamond drilling, 2983 metres of underground development and resampling of historical reserve blocks for purposes of resource definition and exploration. Mine development and production to supply the Chilcobija mill continued in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and provided additional channel sample data for the resource database. A requirement of the interim mining programs agreed between PASB and COMIBOL was that sufficient additional development work be undertaken so that the total quantity of ore developed and ready for mining is maintained. This development provided additional channel samples in the principal and other structures.
3.5. Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates as at December 31, 2006
The proven and probable mineral reserves at the San Vicente mine as at December 31, 2006 are estimated to be as shown in Table 1. This mineral reserve estimate was calculated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc, and was prepared under the supervision of and reviewed by Martin Wafforn, P. Eng. Vice President of Mine Engineering of PAS and Dr. Michael Steinmann, P. Geo. Senior Vice President of Exploration and Geology of PAS. Each of Mr. Wafforn and Dr. Steinmann is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in N.I. 43-101.

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Table 1 San Vicente Mineral Reserves
                         
Reserve           Grams of Silver    
Category   Tonnes   per tonne   Zn (%)
Proven
    1,988,538       304       3.85  
Probable
    1,069,647       430       2.66  
TOTAL
    3,058,185       348       3.43  
Notes:
 
  1.   Total grades of silver and zinc before mill recoveries of 85.0% for both metals are applied.
 
  2.   PAS’s share is 94.999% of the total mineral reserves,
 
  3.   San Vicente’s mineral reserves have been estimated at a minimum mineralized width of 0.8 metres and at a cut off value per tonne of $34 for shrinkage stoping and $30 for longhole stoping.
 
  4.   The geological model employed for San Vicente involves geological interpretations on sections and plans derived from core drill hole information and channel sampling,
 
  5.   Mineral reserves have been estimated using the O’Hara dilution formula, which typically adds 20% to 50% dilution at zero grade depending on dip angle and vein width.
 
  6.   Mineral reserves have been estimated using a mining recovery of 90% with a further 5% subtracted for other mining losses.
 
  7.   Mineral reserves were estimated based on the use of longhole stoping in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein and shrinkage stoping in all other veins. The mining and processing rate is assumed to be 750 tonnes per day on completion of the new plant.
 
  8.   Mineral reserves for the principal structures are estimated with a 3 dimensional block model using datamine software. Mineral reserves for minor structures are estimated using polygonal methods on longitudinal sections.
 
  9.   Mineral reserves were estimated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc.
 
  10.   Environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio economic, political, marketing or other issues are not expected to materially effect the above estimate of mineral reserves.
The measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources at the San Vicente mine as at December 31, 2006 are estimated to be as shown in Table 2. This mineral resource estimate was calculated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc, and was prepared under the supervision of and reviewed by Martin Wafforn, P. Eng. Vice President of Mine Engineering of PAS and Dr. Michael Steinmann, P. Geo. Senior Vice President of Exploration and Geology of PAS. Each of Mr. Wafforn and Dr. Steinmann is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in N.I. 43-101. The mineral resources shown in Table 2 are in addition to the mineral reserves shown in Table 1.
Table 2 San Vicente Mineral Resources
                         
Class Reserve           Grams of Silver    
Category   Tonnes   per tonne   Zn (%)
Measured
    224,953       74       1.15  
Indicated
    445,244       294       3.67  
Inferred
    531,223       243       2.34  
Notes:
 
  1.   PAS reports mineral resources and mineral reserves separately. Reported mineral resources do not include amounts identified as mineral reserves.
 
  2.   PAS’s share is 94.999% of the total mineral resources.
 
  3.   Inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether, they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.
 
  4.   The geological model employed for San Vicente involves geological interpretations on sections and plans derived from core drill hole information and channel sampling,
 
  5.   Mineral resources have been estimated using the O’Hara dilution formula, which typically adds 20% to 50% dilution at zero grade depending on dip angle and vein width.
 
  6.   Mineral resources have been estimated using a mining recovery of 90%.
 
  7.   Mineral resources were estimated based on the use of longhole stoping in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein and shrinkage stoping in all other veins. The mining and processing rate is assumed to be 750 tonnes per day on completion of the new plant.
 
  8.   Mineral resources for the principal structures are estimated with a 3 dimensional block model using datamine software. Mineral resources for minor structures are estimated using polygonal methods on longitudinal sections.
 
  9.   Mineral resources were estimated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc.
 
  10.   Environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio economic, political, marketing or other issues are not expected to materially effect the above estimate of mineral resources.
 
  11.   Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
 
  12.   A cut off value per tonne of $17.00 was used for inclusion in the mineral resources.

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The resource estimate involved statistical and geostatistical interpolation. Composites and 3-dimensional models were constructed utilizing Data Mine®, commercial mine modeling software. Variables interpolations were done for silver and zinc grades and the true thickness of economic mineralization. Ordinary kriging was applied in two phases, first to Pan American silver sampling data only (channels and drill holes) and later to remnant blocks containing data collected by COMIBOL. Variogram models were obtained for each variable and for each vein which were divided in blocks of 40 metres x 20 metres (strike and dip. The blocks have been classified as measured, indicated or inferred based on the relative confidence of the supporting data for each evaluated block.
3.6. Mining Operations
The existing mine was designed and built to extract from steeply dipping narrow veins using conventional shrinkage stoping. Levels have been developed at 30 to 40 metre intervals and include the +70, +35, 0, -30, -70, and -110 levels. For reference, the 0 level is at an elevation of 4,440 metres above sea level. The main accesses to the mine are via the San Jose adit at the 0 level and the San Juan adit on the -30 level. The vertical Pelayo shaft extends from the surface above the 0 level down to the -110 level, which is currently the deepest level in the mine. The inclined Rampa shaft also extends down to the -110 level. Existing track drift dimensions are small at 2.4 by 2.3 metres and therefore mine cars and locomotives are restricted to 40 cubic feet and 6 tonnes respectively.
The San Vicente Mine Expansion Project includes the construction of a new 750 tonnes-per-day flotation process plant at the mine site. The implementation of the project will require an increase in the mine’s production capacity to match the production rate of the new mill. The mine produced 300 tonnes per day from shrinkage stoping in 2003. The mine intends to continue using shrinkage stoping in the narrow vein stopes and increase the conventional mining capacity by improving the Pelayo shaft and the haulage equipment. The remainder of the production will be by longhole mining using mechanized equipment and will require the development of a new decline from surface for equipment access and for ore haulage using mine trucks. The discovery by diamond drilling of the Litoral Ramal Dos vein has provided a wide and high-grade addition to the mine resource base. This vein is amenable to longhole mining which may allow a reduction in mine operating costs and will allow a higher mining recovery of the wider ore zones than could be achieved through shrinkage mining. PASB has determined that these advantages warrant the introduction of longhole mining methods.
3.7. Authors’ Conclusions
The results of the study for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project indicate that the project is technically feasible and economically viable using PAS ore reserve silver and zinc prices. These prices are considerably lower than the current spot market prices. The economics take into account an increase in the mining taxation rate that has been discussed by the Bolivian government but not yet implemented. The project will provide jobs and economic stimulus to an area that is economically depressed, and can be constructed in and operated in an environmentally sound manner. The project enjoys strong support from the union that represents the current employees at the mine and current indications are that the Bolivian national mining company COMIBOL and joint venture partner in the project will provide support as well. There have been some threats of nationalization of mining projects in Bolivia, however this has not occurred to date and the risk is balanced by the high projected IRR of the project and the relatively small cash outlay that is required when considering the cash benefits that will be received from on-going operations during the construction period.
The results of the metallurgical testwork as well as the previous processing of San Vicente ore at the Vetillas plant and the current processing of San Vicente ore at the Chilcobija plant give the authors a high degree of confidence that the projected metallurgical recoveries of 85% for silver and 85% for zinc will be realized.
The economic analysis calculates an Internal Rate of Return of 22% and capital payback in 2.9 years. The Net Present Value is $23.6 million at a 10% discount rate and is $14.4 million at a 15% discount rate. The undiscounted after tax cash flow is $53.8 million. PAS’s 95% share of the undiscounted after tax cash flow

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is estimated to be $50.9 million. Capital cost is estimated to total $40.5 million in 2007 and 2008. The San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is not sensitive to capital fluctuations of up to 25% which is the expected accuracy of the engineering estimate. When in full production, the San Vicente mine unit operating costs are expected to total $48.16 per tonne.
The life of mine plan presented in this study is based solely on proven and probable mineral reserves. The life of mine plan extends until 2019. Any conversion of the mineral resources to proven and probable mineral reserves and any new exploration discoveries will add to the mine life.
The environmental license for the San Vicente mine is now in the process of being updated to reflect the proposed expansion of the mine, construction of a new processing plant, new tailings facility and associated infrastructure. PAS is committed to developing the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project by minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts in accordance with Bolivian regulations, industry best management practices and its own Environmental Policy.
3.8. Authors’ Recommendations
It is the recommendation of the co-authors of this Technical Report that the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project be implemented. The agreement with COMIBOL stipulates that this construction must be completed within 18 months of approval by COMIBOL of an engineering report that was presented to them (the permission was received in July 2007).
The co-authors recommend that the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project should proceed according to the designs and schedules contained in this Technical Report. PAS currently has sufficient cash to develop this project and does not need to arrange for project financing. The next key step will be the award of an EPCM contract for the construction of the new process plant and upgraded infrastructure. The co-authors recommend that the mineral reserve and resource statements presented herein be adopted.
4.0 INTRODUCTION
This Technical Report has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the format and contents of this report are intended to conform to Form 43-101 F1. This Technical Report has been prepared for PAS for the purposes of:
Reporting and summarizing the results of the studies shown in Table 3 into the feasibility of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, and presenting the technical basis for the reserve and resource estimate for the San Vicente Mine property.
Mr. Martin Wafforn, P.Eng., PAS’s Vice President of Mine Engineering serves as the Qualified Person with respect to the mineral reserve statements described herein and sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of this Technical Report and the figures 1-4, 1-4a, 1-5 and 1-6, contained in this Technical Report. Mr. Wafforn last visited the San Vicente mine site from January 21st to January 23rd, 2007.
Dr. Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., PAS’s Senior Vice President of Exploration and Geology serves as the Qualified Person with respect to the mineral resource statements described herein and sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of this Technical Report and the figures 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4b, 1-7, 1-8, 1-11 and 1-12 contained in this Technical Report. Dr. Steinmann last visited the San Vicente mine site from January 21st to January 23rd, 2007.
Mr. Maxwell, P.E. of Lyntek Inc. serves as a qualified person with respect to the mineral processing and metallurgical testing, as well as process design, capital cost estimates for the plant and infrastructure, and operating cost estimates for the plant and for sections 18 and 25 and the figures 1-9 and 1-10 of this Technical Report. Mr. Maxwell has not visited the San Vicente mine site. Other members of the Lyntek team visited the San Vicente site from August 12, 2006 to August 18, 2006 and have reviewed site photos and discussed the project with Mr. Maxwell.
Elmer Ildefonso a consulting mining engineer to PAS performed the geostatistical evaluation and resource modelling under the direct supervision of Dr. Steinmann.

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Sources of information and data contained in this Technical Report or used in its preparation are shown in Table 3.
Table 3 References
     
Report   Section
Assessment of Borrow Sources for concrete Aggregates — Worley, Parson , Komex April 4, 20072
  25
San Vicente Mine Site D Tailings Facility Preliminary Design — Worley, Parsons, Komex April 12, 20072
  25
Interim Report Geotechnical Engineering Assessment of the Proposed Process Plant —
Worley, Parsons, Komex January 22, 20072
  25
Evaluation of Water Sources for the San Vicente Mine — Worley, Parsons, Komex October 31, 20062
  3, 6, 7, 25
PASB Internal Report Updating COMIBOL on Project power supply — E. Robles January, 2007
  25
Shaft and Hoist Review and Recommendations — Dynatec Mining Corporation October 19, 20053
  25
Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals at the San Vicente Mine conducted at TECSUP lab,
Lima, Peru- A. Vargas October, 20044
  18, 25
Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals at the San Vicente Mine conducted at Quiruvilca Mine, Peru-
G. Portales September, 2005
  18, 25
Determination of Bond Work Index — Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, September, 2005
  18, 25
Numerous correspondences and reports — Estudios Mineros latest in May, 20071
  25
Preliminary Design and Evaluation of Alternate Tailings Disposal Sites — Komex October 28, 20052
  18, 25
Electrical Project of San Vicente (Upgrading transmission lines and sub-stations) — Alicon SRL August 29, 2005
  25
Upgrading existing electrical facilities — Empresa de Servicios Eléctricos
  25
Feasibility Study Report San Vicente, Bolivia — Lyntek Inc.October, 2006
  18, 25
Basic Engineering Interim Report San Vicente, Bolivia — Lyntek Inc.December, 20065
  18, 25
Notes:
 
  1.   PAS retained Estudios Mineros, an Engineering company based in Lima, Peru, to assist with the preparation of the mine plan and schedule. The work performed included a determination of the required capacity of the Pelayo shaft, preliminary geotechnical report, recommendation of dilution quantities to be applied, Litoral ramp design, and development layouts for each of the major levels, and short and long-term mine plans.
 
  2.   PAS retained Worley Parsons Komex (Komex) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada to provide engineering and reports on the design of the tailings storage facility, geotechnical assessment of the proposed plant location as well as on ground water hydrology and the location of the required water supply for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project.
 
  3.   PAS retained Dynatec USA of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA to inspect the Pelayo shaft and hoisting system. Their scope includes replacing the mine hoist, the small headframe and making necessary repairs in the shaft.
 
  4.   Alfredo Vargas P.E. was retained to supervise the metallurgical testwork and to compile the data.
 
  5.   Lyntek Incorporated of Denver, Colorado, USA has been retained to provide detailed engineering and procurement for the new flotation process plant and selected mine infrastructure. Lyntek prepared a feasibility study report in October 2006 and a basic engineering interim report in December 2006 concentrating on the following specific areas: 1) Design of a new concentrator, 2) Milling, 3) Complete process circuit, flotation circuit, and metallurgy, 4) Electrical requirements, and 5) Plant infrastructure. Their work included providing capital and operating cost estimates for the above areas as well as preparing a project schedule.
 
  6.   Sistemas de Agua of Bolivia were retained for water well drilling.
The co-authors have reviewed the information contained in these documents and included in this Technical Report and determined in their professional judgement that such information is sound and confirm and approve of such information.

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All tonnages stated in this Technical Report are dry metric tonnes (dmt) unless otherwise specified. Ounces pertaining to silver metal content are expressed in troy ounces. All dollar values stated in this report are U.S. dollars.
5.0 RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS
Martin Wafforn, Michael Steinmann and Douglas Maxwell, as co-authors of this Technical Report, have relied upon the references, opinions and statements from the following Non-Qualified Persons contained within the references listed in Section 23 — References. These reports, documents, and statements were found to be generally well organized and presented, and where applicable, the conclusions reached are judged reasonable.
MINCO of Bolivia were retained to provide the environmental assessment as well as to conduct field sampling, data interpretation and permit application.
It is assumed that technically qualified and competent persons prepared these reports and documents. It is the authors’ opinion that the materials referenced above are prepared and presented according to mining and engineering industry standards. The co-authors conclude that the contents are reasonably organized and presented and the conclusions reached are prudent.
6.0 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
The San Vicente silver-zinc mine is located at latitude 21°-16´south and longitude 66°-19´west in the southern end of Bolivia in the Province of Sud-Chichas, Department of Potosí. The mine is 460 kilometres south of the city of Oruro and 300 kilometres west of Tarija. Access is by dirt road 100 km west of the town of Tupiza and 150 km south of Uyuni. The property is in the Andean High Plateau (Altiplano), at approximately 4,400 metres above sea level, with semi-arid climatic conditions. The land is sterile and rugged. The following figures show the location of the San Vicente Mine:
  §   Figure 1-1 Location of the San Vicente Mine in Bolivia
 
  §   Figure 1-2 San Vicente Mine Location Map in Potosi
 
  §   Figure 1-3 San Vicente Mine General Site Layout
 
  §   Figure 1-4 San Vicente Mine, Mine Site General Layout (view of the mine area)
 
  §   Figure 1-4a San Vicente Mine, Mining Concessions
 
  §   Figure 1-4b San Vicente Mine, Geology Map
Property boundaries are located by co-ordinates and are not marked physically in the field.
The locations of all know mineralized veins and structures containing the mineral reserves and mineral resources are shown in Figure 1-8. The plant site, tailings facility, mine workings and other infrastructure are shown in Figures 1-3 and 1-4.
6.1. Mineral Tenure
The Project consists of 13 concessions, with a combined area of 7,075 hectares as shown in Table 4. Of the concessions, five with an area of 662 hectares start with the name “Aguas” which is Spanish for Waters. All of these concessions were contributed to the joint venture by COMIBOL in exchange for its participation in the project. COMIBOL however retains ownership of the concessions. PASB has the same exclusive right on all of the concessions to explore, develop and exploit as well as the right to marketing of the products. The use of all other mining resources existing on the concessions are included, as well as water rights, surface rights, its easements, uses and customs, without any limitation or restriction. All of the concessions, with the exception of Cinturón I and Cinturón II, were granted under the old mining code that was superseded on March 17th, 1997 by Law No. 1777, the new mining code. The current mining code provides that the previously awarded mining rights for the properties are still valid as long as the

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registration requirements have been met. All San Vicente mining concessions are in good standing, according to article 93 of the Bolivian Mining Code. PASB has complied with the joint venture agreement (and various addendums thereto) and as a result the project and the concessions are in good standing.
Table 4 Mining Concessions
         
Concession   Hectares
 
Aguas Confianza
    125  
Aguas Confianza 2
    145  
Aguas Jayajmayu
    103  
Aguas San Francisco
    60  
Aguas San Vicente 2
    229  
 
 
       
Sub Total
    662  
 
Apolo 2
    3,467  
Codiciada
    229  
Complemento
    16  
La Confianza
    10  
Sucre
    28  
Marcela
    1,163  
Cinturón
    225  
Cinturón 2
    1,275  
 
Sub Total
    6,413  
 
Total Mining Concessions
    7,075  
 
Since 1997, the granting of concessions in Bolivia has been legislated by the Political Constitution of the State, under Mining Code No. 1777. Code DS 23230-A authorizes COMIBOL to grant concessions and mining centers in Lease and Joint Venture agreements. Supreme Decrees and Laws regulate taxation, environmental regulations, and administrative matters for joint ventures and leases.
Mineral resources, whether surface or underground, are the domain of the State, and may be granted for Lease and Joint Venture agreements for their exploitation as stated by Article 136 of the Political Constitution of the State.
Bolivian incorporated companies, foreign companies, or individuals may possess mining concessions (with the exception of: minors, government employees, members of the armed forces, police, and relatives of people employed in the aforementioned), in accordance with Chapter II, Part I of the Mining Code (Articles 16 to 23).
Foreigners are not permitted, according to article 25 of the Political Constitution of the State and article 17 of the Mining Code, to exploit concessions within 50 km of any international boundary but they are authorized to subscribe to agreements to form Joint Venture Companies in said areas. (San Vicente is 62 km from the Argentina border).
Once a mining concession has been granted, the concessionaire can explore and exploit ores inside the concession, including tailings and residual material. Mining concessions cannot be transferred, sold, or mortgaged.
6.2. Permits and Agreements
Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement between PASB and COMIBOL, PASB is required to pay to COMIBOL a participation fee of 37.5% of the operations cash flow after deducting management fees. Once the commercial production phase of San Vicente begins, the COMIBOL participation fee will be reduced by 75% until PASB recovers its investment in the property. Thereafter the COMIBOL participation will revert to 100% of the participation fee described above.

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In the latest amendment, PASB was authorized to execute a program of mining and toll milling at the Chilcobija plant of 150,000 tonnes of ore. This decree allows time for execution of the projects outlined in the feasibility study while permitting mining and milling operations, providing cash flow to COMIBOL and PASB and addressing the social issues relating to the San Vicente miners. During this program, COMIBOL participation is 50% of operating cash flow.
In May 2007, PAS purchased the 40% interest in PASB held by EMUSA. 80% of a 2% net smelter return royalty interest in the property has been retained by EMUSA. This royalty is payable only: (1) after PASB recovers the costs to develop the project from January 1, 2007 up to the point of commercial production; (2) recovery of the cost of the purchase of EMUSA’s 40% interest in PASB, and (3) is only payable in a calendar quarter where the average price of silver is $9.00 per ounce or higher.
6.3. Environmental
The environmental license for the San Vicente mine is now in the process of being updated to reflect the proposed expansion of the mine, construction of a new processing plant, new tailings facility and associated infrastructure.
The existing license only contemplated the operation of the mine where the ore was processed off site by EMUSA at the Chilcobija plant under a toll milling contract. The existing environmental license also included the provision for all tailings produced from the processing of San Vicente ores at the Chilcobija plant to be permanently stored at a tailings facility near the plant. The responsibility for the design, operation and permitting of this tailings facility was part of the responsibilities of EMUSA under the terms of the toll milling contract.
PASB contracted the Bolivian consulting firm of Minco to carry out an environmental baseline study, ALBA, as they are known for the acronym in Spanish, in 2001. Between 2001 and the present, this baseline information has been complemented with semi-annual monitoring of air, soil and water quality parameters at various monitoring locations in the vicinity of the San Vicente Mine. This existing information will be further complemented by a further round of sampling to establish the baseline conditions for the proposed expansion of the San Vicente Mine.
Minco is currently in the stage of preparing the Environmental Impact Study, or EEIA, as it is known under Bolivian legislation, for submittal to Bolivian environmental authorities. The main incremental impacts resulting from the proposed expansion of the mine are related to:
  §   Construction of a new tailings facility in a valley that is tributary to the San Vicente River, downstream of the mine;
 
  §   Construction of a new processing plant on the south side of the San Vicente river valley between the proposed location of the tailings facility and mine;
 
  §   Increased groundwater use in the new plant; and
 
  §   Waste rock storage from mine development.
Pan American Silver is committed to developing the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project by minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts in accordance with Bolivian regulations, industry best management practices and its own Environmental Policy.
The Vetillas plant and old tailings will not be used for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, and any environmental liability related to the Vetillas tailings is COMIBOL’s responsibility as specified in the Joint Venture Agreement.
There are no other known environmental liabilities.

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7.0 ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY
Access to the San Vicente mine is by dirt road from the towns of Tupiza or Uyuni. Tupiza is approximately 100 kilometres east. There is a road from Tupiza to the border with Argentina, which is to the south. Tupiza is connected to the rail system, which serves Bolivia and connects with the ports of Arica and Antofagasta in Chile. Zinc concentrates produced at EMUSA’s Chilcobija are loaded to rail cars in Tupiza and transported by rail to Antofagasta. Uyuni is another hub for the rail line and is 119 road kilometres to the north of San Vicente. Concentrates produced at the new San Vicente mill in San Vicente will be transported to Uyuni to be loaded onto rail cars. The roads from Uyuni and Tupiza are open year round; nevertheless, in the rainy season some sections suffer from landslides and flooding and may close from time to time. There are gravel airstrips near both Uyuni and Tupiza however; they do not have regularly scheduled plane service.
Plant equipment and heavy equipment for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project will be transported via road to the plant site. The best route is via the town of Uyuni either from La Paz in the north or from Arica or Antofagasta to the West. The route from La Paz starts with a paved highway to the town of Challapata. After Challapata, the paved highway becomes a heavily traveled gravel road that is the major North/South route through the country. Depending upon the season of the year, this road is normally sufficiently graded to carry light vehicular traffic. There are several rivers that must be forded between Challapata and Uyuni. The road from Chile and the port of Antafogasta up to the Bolivian Border is in good condition. The road from the border to the town of Uyuni was upgraded recently. The road from Uyuni to San Vicente is 119 kilometres and the last 88 kilometres of this road will be upgraded to an all weather road in particular five areas where rivers or streams are crossed.
Climatic data from the weather station in Atocha (60 kilometres to the Northeast) reflects weather conditions in the Altiplano in the south of Bolivia. Daytime temperatures range from 4°C in June and July to 14°C in December and January. The winter months are May to September and night time temperatures are frequently below zero with extremes of minus 15°C. Average annual rainfall is 190mm, with no rain from May to September. Rainfall occurs mainly in the summer months, when up to 20mm of rain can fall in a day.
The continuous fresh water supply requirements for the new San Vicente concentrator are calculated to be 22 litres per second. A combination of the water wells drilled and the surface water sources within the area will be required to provide the required water supply. The four confirmed water sources within the immediate plant site vicinity are shown in Table 5:
Table 5 Water Sources
         
Source   Reported Flow Rate   pH
Rio San Vicente
  2 to 3 L/Sec.   3.5
 
Mine Discharge
  2 to 3 L/Sec.   3.5
 
Vetillas Mill
  14 L/Sec.   3.5
 
Angosto Mica
  18 to 20 L/Sec.   7.0 to 8.0
Angosto Mica is a proven water source that supplied water to the Vetillas Mill when it was in operation. It is located some 16 kilometres from the plant site and has an existing concrete dam that will be rehabilitated. As the new power line that will be constructed to supply the new plant will pass close by the Angosto Mica dam, a power line can be run down to the selected pump station area. Water from the dam will be pumped to a concrete storage sump that will be located near Vetillas. Water from the Vetillas River will also be pumped to this storage sump.
The Vetillas Mill is not on a mining concession owned by PASB, however, it is part of the assets that COMIBOL contributed to the joint venture. There are verbal agreements that San Vicente has the right to use part of the Vetillas Mill water source, however, for the purposes of

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this report and for the purposes of the economic analysis it has been assumed that Angosto Mica and other water sources will supply the water to the project. As can be seen from Table 5 the surface water sources only just cover the projected requirements of the mine and some additional water well drilling is recommended by the authors to provide a more plentiful water supply.
At this time, only one domestic water source is being considered for use and is located 2.7 km from Vetillas. This well was drilled and cased by Komex and the initial pump tests from this well were reported to be 10L/sec of water flow at a pH = 7.0. Martin Wafforn, one of the authors of this Technical Report, has verified this number from the report “Evaluation of Water Sources from the San Vicente Mine” by Worley, Parsons, Komex. Actual flow rates are yet to be confirmed by additional pump testing.
A pump will be installed in this well to pump water to a domestic water storage tank that is located at the man camp in Vetillas and a distribution pump at the storage tank will supply the water requirements for the man-camp. A second booster pump located at the Vetillas storage tank will pump water to a second domestic water storage tank that is located at the San Vicente concentrator. A distribution pump at this second water storage tank will provide the mine, mill and the mine offices with domestic water.
The power supply must be upgraded to meet the increased electrical demand from the new mill and the expanded facilities. The existing power supply is via a 27.7 kilometre long 15 Kv, 2MVA, line from a substation that is owned and operated by a cooperative in Telamayu. A new 34 Kv, 5MVA, electrical transmission line and associated sub stations and switch gear will be constructed parallel to the existing line so that the power supply is maintained to the town and the mine during the construction period. After the new electrical transmission line has been commissioned, the old one can be removed.
The area is poorly vegetated. With the exception of those employed at the mine there are very few other inhabitants in the area. The only use of the ground, other than for mining activities, is a wild pasture for llamas.
The property is in the Andean High Plateau (Altiplano) at an average elevation of about 4,400 metres above sea level. Elevations in the immediate area of the mine vary from 4,300 metres to 4,550 metres above sea level. The property is in an historical mining area with a sufficient supply of experienced mining personnel. The project holds sufficient mining claims and surface rights for all of the mining buildings, processing plant, tailings dam etc for all of the operations that are in the mine plan.
8.0 HISTORY
The area of San Vicente has been sporadically exploited since Colonial times. The first written records of mining activities are from 1820 when the mine was known as Guernica mine. It was operated under this name from 1820 to 1830. The area was originally exploited for Silver Oxide and some of the old mine workings are still visible today. The mine was closed from 1880 to 1910 and then operated by various owners between 1911 and 1950. A Chilean company operated the mine in the 1920’s. Between 1950 and 1952, Compañía Minera Aramayo operated the mine. In 1952, the Bolivian government nationalized the mine and placed it under control of COMIBOL who in 1972 constructed the Vetillas concentrating plant with a capacity of 400 tonnes per day. The mine was operated by COMIBOL from 1972 until 1993 at which time mining was suspended pending the privatization of the mine. During the last 5 years of operations under COMIBOL (1988 to 1993), the mine produced an average of 106,000 tonnes per year grading 402 grams/tonne silver and 3.58% zinc per tonne. The mill produced a simple concentrate with a grade of 41% Zinc and 7,800 grams of Silver per tonne. The mine was maintained by COMIBOL until 1999.
In 1995, the Bolivian government launched a tender to joint venture the San Vicente mine and the Vetillas mill. After two failed attempts, the tender was declared void. COMIBOL was then authorized and permitted to invite international companies to present offers. PASB submitted a proposal. The COMIBOL Board of Directors accepted PASB’s proposal and a joint venture contract with respect to the development of the San Vicente property was subscribed with Resolution number 1751/99, on June 21, 1999.
The joint venture contract was protocolized by Notary of Public Faith, a requirement of Bolivian law, and later inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The joint venture contract for San Vicente

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is registered in Testimony #132/99, dated July 28 1999, granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003.
There have been several amendments to the original joint venture contract as follows:
The first amendment to the joint venture contract was executed on May 18, 2001. The amendment, in accordance with Bolivian law, was protocolized by Notary and then inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony #101/2001 dated June 13, 2001 granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003. The amendment modifies the original schedule of the Committed Investment.
The second amendment was executed on July 20, 2001. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony number 127/2001 dated August 7, 2001, granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003. The amendment specifies the addition of two new mining concessions to the Joint Venture Contract: the concessions” Cinturón I” and” Cinturón II.”
The third amendment was executed on December 19, 2003. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and then inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony number 17/2004 dated February 12, 2004, granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003. In this amendment, PASB gave up the rights to the Montserrat concession.
The fourth amendment was executed on March 25 2004. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and then inscribed in the Registry Mining and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony Nr. 51/2005 dated April 21 of 2005, granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003. In this amendment, COMIBOL authorizes PASB to execute a program of the exploitation and tolling of 55,000 tonnes of ore.
The fifth amendment was executed on June 13 of 2005. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and later inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony Nr. 74/2005 dated June 20, 2005, granted by Dra. Nelly Alfaro de Maldonado, Notary of Public Faith, registration #003. In this amendment, COMIBOL authorizes PASB to execute a program of the exploitation and tolling of 35,000 tonnes of ore.
The sixth amendment was executed on August 01 of 2006. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and later inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony Nr. 411/2006 dated August 08, 2006, granted by Dra. Ruth Rosario Villarroel Quisbert, Notary of Public Faith, registration number 4450. In this amendment, it is recognized the participation COMIBOL is increased to 37.5% of operating cash flow.
The seventh amendment was executed on August 01 of 2006. The amendment was protocolized by Notary and later inscribed in the Mining Registry and the Registry of Trade. The amendment is Testimony Nr. 412/2006 dated August 08, 2006, granted by Dra. Ruth Rosario Villarroel Quisbert, Notary of Public Faith, registration number 4450. In this amendment, COMIBOL authorizes PASB to execute a program of the exploitation and tolling of 150,000 tonnes of ore. This decree allows time for execution of the projects outlined in the feasibility study while permitting mining and milling operations, providing cash flow to COMIBOL and PASB and addressing the social issues relating to the San Vicente miners. During this program, COMIBOL participation is 50% of operating cash flow.
On June 21, 1999, when the joint-venture contract (Contrato de Riesgo Compartido) was signed with COMIBOL, PASB was a 100% subsidiary of PAS. In the fourth quarter of 2003, PAS signed a joint-venture agreement with EMUSA, granting them an option to earn a 50% interest in PASB. To vest its interest, EMUSA agreed to spend $2.5 million in project costs in 2004 including drilling, underground tunnelling and initiating small-scale production. EMUSA had some difficulties fulfilling the requirements of the option agreement and the ownership of PASB settled at 55% to PAS, 40% to EMUSA and 5% to Trafigura. PAS being the major shareholder became operator and appointed the president of PASB. In May 2007, EMUSA sold its 40% interest in PASB to PAS. PAS transferred one share to Pan American Silver Peru S.A. to fulfill the Bolivian corporate law requirements, leaving PAS with a 94.999% ownership in PASB and Pan American Silver Peru with a 0.001% ownership.

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9.0 GEOLOGICAL SETTING
San Vicente is a Polymetallic Vein Deposit, located 2.5 kilometres west of a prominent thrust fault. This north-south striking San Vicente fault forms the eastern limit of the intermountain Bolivian Altiplano basin. Mineralization at the mine site is hosted by conglomerates of Late Oligocene age. The clastic sediments are overthrusted by an Ordovician turbidite sequence, outcropping on the east side of the mine. Igneous activity at the site is represented by intermediate to acid volcanism related to a volcanic complex of mid-Miocene age.
The regional sedimentary sequence consists of a basement of Paleozoic marine siliciclastic sediments. This sequence was folded and later unconformably overlain by non continuous cretaceous continental sediments, and a thick sequence of Tertiary continental clastic sediments (Potoco and San Vicente Formations). Sedimentation in the Tertiary basin was controlled during the Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene by thrust faults to the east and west and contains various thin volcanic flows with an intermediate composition. A sequence of felsic volcanics forms the top of the Tertiary basin in the southern part.
An important lithology in the project area is the fanglomerates of the San Vicente Formation which are in contact with Ordovician shales along the strike of the San Vicente fault. The fanglomerate consists of poorly sorted conglomerate with sub angular fragments of Palaeozoic sediments cross cut by younger quartz veins. The matrix is red in colour and consists of iron bearing sandstone.
Mineralisation is related to hydrothermal systems associated to repeated calc-alkaline intrusions and their extrusive products forming vein type and disseminated polymetallic deposits.
10.0 DEPOSIT TYPES
San Vicente is a polymetallic vein type deposit with a large amount of mineralised structures. The three different vein systems strike west-northwest, northwest and in a minor extent northeast and show dip angles of 50 to 80 degrees. The mine site area can be divided into four areas with variable degree of exploration information (see Figure 1-7).
The North San Vicente area includes veins “D”, “E”, “F”, Lipeña, Brunton, Miriam, Lucero, Gandy and San Vicente; with strikes varying from N100-N120. The veins dip mostly to the north with angles from 55 degrees to sub vertical. Other veins located in the same area are the N060 striking “H” vein and some minor east west striking structures all of them with a sub vertical dip. All these veins are located north of the San Vicente river on the Rosario Hill, NW of the town San Vicente. There is a large amount of underground workings and small pits in this area. The veins are narrow, showing widths from 0.30 m to about 1.0 m. Mineralization is polymetallic, alteration is typically comprised of manganese oxides, and silicification in variable degrees.
The central San Vicente area includes some of the economically most important structures like Adela-Guernica, Jesus Maria, Disputada, Cantera, 6 de Agosto, Litoral, Litoral Ramo 2, San Lorenzo, Deseada, and Arturo veins. At surface they are marked by open stopes and silicified fault zones of variable length; being the 6 de Agosto vein the longest one up to today with about 1.3km of outcropping strike length and vein widths from cm to several metres. The Litoral and Litoral Ramo 2 veins do not outcrop. However, they are recognized by underground workings and diamond drilling for over 800 m along strike. Litoral Ramo 2 is locally up to 20 metres wide and shows some areas with very high silver grades. Most of the outcropping veins have been worked for centuries having historical grades from 500 to more than 1000 g/mt Ag.
The South San Vicente Area includes San Francisco, Nueva, Rica, and Potoco. These veins are characterized by having a roughly E-W trend; with San Francisco vein mined to an unknown depth with historical values of more than 500 g/mt of Ag and minor tin content. The other veins show only small amounts of open stopes and are structures for future exploration programs.
Far South San Vicente includes the Chichas, Lucio, Crucera, and Bandy veins. These veins were only subject of minor surface sampling and have not been exploited in the past but will be included in future exploration programs.

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The West of San Vicente area includes different veins with some underground workings of unknown length and depth. Values from surface samples returned more than 100 g/mt Ag. In the area there is evidence for hydrothermal brecciation with strong silicification.
A list of the mentioned veins at the San Vicente site is shown in Table 6. Their location and strike direction are shown in Figure 1-8. The economic model used for this report uses only proven and probable mineral reserves. Therefore no additional exploration is required in order to meet the projections in the economic model. In the future a program may be initiated to explore by diamond drilling for additional mineralized structures and or to convert mineral resources into proven and probable mineral reserves.

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Table 6 Occurrence of Veins in San Vicente Mine. (Modified from JICA, 1979)
                             
                        Principal   Secondary
Vein   Level   Surface   Azimuth   Dip   Length (m)   mineral   Mineral
Inca
  0       N240º   60ºS   300   Sp-Py-Gn   Td-Cpy
Guernica II
  0       N50º   80ºN   400   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
Guernica I
  0       N300º   80ºN   150   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
Adela
      X   N305º   65ºS   300   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
Jesús Maria
      X   N280º   85ºN   440   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py   Gn
Disputada
      X   N280º   65ºN   300   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
San José
      X   N310º   65ºN   650   Sp-Td-Cp-Py   Gn-Mc
Ferelys
  0       N50º   60ºN   150   Sp-Td-Py   Cp-Gn
Cantera
      X   N305º   60ºN   520   Sp-Td-Py   Cp-Gn
Artola
  0       N65º   70ºS   200   Sp-Td-Py   Cp-Gn
Rmo 6 de Agosto
  0       N65º   60ºN   150   Sp-Td-Py   Cp-Gn
6 de Agosto
      X   N280º   65ºN   2000   Sp-Td-Py   Cp-Gn
Litoral
          N65º   70ºS   1160   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
San Lorenzo
      X   EW   70ºS   600   Sp-Gn-Td-Cp-Py    
Peritas
  0       N75º   70ºS   250   Sp-Td-Cp-Py   Gn
Deseada
  0       N285º   65ºN   950   Sp-Td-Cp-Py   Gn-Mc
Esperanza
  0       N290º   60ºS   150   Sp-Py   Gn-Cp
Porvenir
  0       N75º   70ºS   250   Sp-Td-Py   Gn-Cp
Rmo. Arturo
  0       N75º   80ºN   150   Sp-Td-Py   Gn-Cp
Arturo
      X   N300º   65ºN   1350   Sp-Td-Py   Gn-Td.Cc-Cv-Mc
Unión
          N68º   65ºNW   450   Sp-Td-Py-Cp    
Sophia
      X   N84º   80ºNE   570   Sp-Td-Cp-Py    
Sophia I
      X   N103º   80ºSW   900   Sp-Td-Cp-Py    
San Francisco
      X   N93º   82ºN   250   Sp-Td-cc-Cv-Py-Cp    
Chichas
      X   N95º   70ºN   1250   Sp-Gn-Py    
Brunton
      X   N122º   68ºNE   110   Sp-Gn-Py    
Miriam
      X   N122º   70ºNE   400   Sp-Gn-Py    
Lucero
      X   N97º   66ºNE   450   Sp-Gn-Py    
Gandy
      X   N105º   67ºNE   650   Sp-Gn-Py    
San Vicente
      X   N130º   68ºNE   400   Sp-Gn-Py    
Nueva
      X   N102º   61ºNE   380   Sp-Gn-Py    
Rica
      X   N97º   78ºNE   500   Sp-Gn-Py    
Potoco
      X   N112º   70ºNE   500   Sp-Gn-Py    
Bandy
      X   N85º   70ºNW   570   Sp-Gn-Py    
Lucio
      X   N100º   68ºNE   550   Sp-Gn-Py    
Crucero
      X   N102º   62ºNE   500   Sp-Gn-Py    
Negro
      X   N97º   60ºSW   360   Sp-Gn-Py    
 
SECTOR
      T   A J O S                
Colonial
      X   N103º   65ºNE   450   Gn-Td-Sulfs-Py    
Veta “D”
      X   N130º   73ºNE   1350   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
Veta “G”
      X   N105º   77ºSW   430   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
Veta “E”
      X   N115º   75ºNE   850   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
Veta “H”
      X   N55º   82ºSE   320   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
Veta “F”
      X   N105º   68ºSW   630   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
Lipeña
      X   N110º   66ºSW   360   Gn-Td??-Sulfs-Py-Pr    
                 
REFERENCES
               
Sp: Sphalerite
  Py: Pyrite   Cp: Chalcopyrite   Mc: Marcasite   Cv: Covellite
Td: Tetrahedrite
  Gn: Galena   Pr: Pyrolusite   Cc: Chalcocite   Sulfs.: Sulfosalts

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
11.0 MINERALIZATION
The polymetallic mineralization in the district is known to cover an area of 3 km by 4 km to a depth of 300 metres below surface. The mineralization consists of (1) veins filling pre-existing faults, (2) replacements in brecciated conglomerates along the San Vicente fault and (3) in a lesser extent in dacitic dykes (Photographs 1, 2 and 3).
The structural environment of the mine area consists of a series of pre-mineral faults dipping 50°- 80° to the south and striking west northwest. A second set of structures is striking northeast.
The west northwest striking structures contain veins that have longer horizontal extensions and a mineralized width of 2 m to 6 m. The northeast veins are developed in the more dilatational direction and are characterized by the best widths and grades but over a shorter strike length.
The minerals of economic importance are sphalerite, tetrahedrite (the variety of freibergite rich in silver), chalcopyrite and galena. Cassiterite, covellite and bornite are found in some veins. The primary gangue minerals are quartz, pyrite, marcasite and barite.
The paragenetic sequence consists of an early phase of quartz — pyrite, followed by the main phase of mineralization of sphalerite, galena, freibergite, and chalcopyrite with subsequent phases of quartz — pyrite, barite and marcasite. A lateral zonation of metals exists in a central zone of high zinc grades that superimposes an area of high silver grades. More distant zones have medium silver grades and significant lead grades. The only significant vertical zonation encountered is the increasing copper grades (in chalcopyrite) in the deeper parts of some veins.
Hydrothermal alteration in the district is restricted to a 20 m band along the mineralized structures. It is represented by a fine grained sericite — pyrite assemblage that has bleached the original red matrix. A moderate amount of silicification is also present. Locally iron and manganese oxides are present at surface.
The geologic history can be generally summarized as follows:
  §   Deposition of a continental fanglomerate at the margin of a tectonically active basin resulting in the emplacement of the San Vicente conglomerate.
 
  §   Formation of west northwest, northwest and northeast striking faults in the conglomerate.
 
  §   Emplacement of a dacitic intrusive 2 km to the east of San Vicente with small dykes and bodies in the area of the mine.
 
  §   Alteration and zinc silver mineralization in the breccia zones of the faults by hydrothermal fluids over a time span of about 13 million years.
The known mineralized veins and structures are shown in Figure 1-8.

21


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
(PICTURE)
Photograph 1.
Fault vein with open space filling mineralization
(PICTURE)
Photograph 2.
Replacement style of mineralization. Replaced breccia matrix and clasts by sulphides
(PICTURE)
Photograph 3.
Intermediate intrusion hosting sulfide veinlets.

22


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Table 7 Mineralogy of San Vicente Veins Recognized Under Microscope
                                                                                                     
Sample           CHannel   Ag   Zn   Pb   Cu                               Sulfi                   Rock        
  VEIN   level     (g/t)   (%)   (%)   (%)   Sph   Tet   Cp   Gal   Py   Mar   Pol   des   Cov   Born   Qz   Bar   Frag.   Paragenesis   Comments
3757
  6 de Agosto   0   0-007     345       4.13       2.05       0.41     3   <1   <1   3   5   30                   6   40       qz-sph-Ttet-gal>marc>barita   Tetr. incl. In Sph; Ba before Gal.
3752
  6 de Agosto   0   0-006     218       15.57               0.78     5   2   <1       5   2           <1       23   3   58   py>tet>barita   qz-sph-cp veinlets
3748
  6 de Agosto   0   0-005     733       22.52               0.88     20   <1   1       5                       30       43   py>tet-cp-sph>qz   incl. of cp-py in sph; qz reempl. sph-py-cp
3762
  Arturo   0   0-008     49       2.11               0.24     3   2   2   <1   2       <1               40       49   Sulfuros>qz   qz-cp-tet-sph veinlets; sulfs in the center
3990
  Arturo   0   0-013     47       2.72       0.50       0.10     25   <1   <1   <1   2   2                           60   marc>sphal   incl. of tet-py-cp in sph; marc
3767
  Arturo   0   0-009     74       1.80               0.20     5   <1   <1       5   15   <1               25       48   sulfs>marc   late marcasite
3775
  Arturo   0   0-010     256       20.08       0.72       0.62     10   2   2   1   8   <1       <1   <1       35       38   qz>sulfs   incl. of tet-cp-py in sph
3781
  Litoral   0   0-011     252       29.97       0.23       0.35     6   <1   <1       15   3                   20       36       sph in center of veinlet of py;qz-py-tet veinlet.
3744
  Unión   0   0-004     1291       28.79       0.16       0.48     30   <1   <1   <1   25   <1                   35       8       sph band-py-tet-qz in veinlett; cp in sph
3739
  Adela   0   0-003     203       2.91               0.26     <1   <1   <1   <1   27   8                   40       22       incl. gal in sph
3734
  Adela   0   0-002     295       1.49               0.24     5   <1   <1       24   20                   40       10   sulfs>qz    
3730
  Adela   0   0-001     476       0.66               0.90     <1       <1       30   <1                   40       30   py>sphal>qz   py-qz masive in the rock
3985
  Arturo   0   0-012     74       9.43               0.10     30   <1           40   2                   10       12   sphal-py>qz-py>sph vetillas?   sulfs in cement of congl; 2 generations
3918
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-010     156       3.21       1.43       0.29     10   <1   <1   8   2                       40   3   37   qz>bar   Incl. of sph-tet in galena
3822
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-006     294       14.66       0.13       0.27     20   <1   <1       3                       30       47   qz>sph-py-yet>qz-py    
3818
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-005     391       10.44       2.64       0.78     3   8   1   2   30                   <1   30   3   22   qz>suls>qz>sph-cp-tet vetillas   2 gener. of qz; 2 gener. of de sulf.
3912
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-008     2267       17.24                     30   <1   <1   <1   6   2                           62       sph-py-marc vet; sph masive
3809
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-004     2650       12.99       0.12       1.00     5   <1   <1       30                       10       55   py>tet   masive sph w/ incl of tet-cp; vnts tet-qz sph
3811
  6 de Agosto   -30   30-004     470       12.72       0.57       0.27     30   2   <1       10                       40   1   16   qz>sulfs>qz   tet-sph
3825
  Arturo   -30   30-007     72       1.87       0.13       0.20     2   <1   <1   <1   3   1                   5       88       sph-py-marc vet; masive sph x
3803
  Litoral   -30   30-003     1073       7.41               2.20     15   2   40       10                       33           cp>qz-py; sph-tet-cp>qz   masive cp , zones w/ masive sph
3797
  Adela   -30   30-002     892       0.45               0.88     <1   <1   <1       20                       80           sulfs>qz   incl. of tet in qz and cp
3787
  Adela   -30   30-001     330       2.49       0.22       1.70     3   <1   2   <1   20   12                   40   3   20   sulfs>qz>bar   cp-sph-py-qz
3800
  Adela   -30   30-002     396       1.55               0.47     2   <1   3   <1   35                   <1   40   10   8   qz>py-cp-sph-dig-bn>bar   trazas digen-james; sph-cp exolutions?
3796
  Adela   -30   30-001     446       0.37               0.60     <1   3   2       40   20                   35           py>cp-tet vetillas   trazas of stannina
3995
  Porvenir   -30   30-011     1159       2.04       0.99       0.40     20   5   <1   <1   1   1                   20       53       sph-tet-qz-py veinlets
3830
  6 de Agosto   -70   70-001     58       5.84                     40   <1       <1   2                       30   10   18   qz-sulfs>bar   incl. of py-gal-tet-qz in sph
3835
  6 de Agosto   -70   70-002     640       10.53               0.57     20   <1   <1       2                       8   20   50   sulfs>qz-bar    
3839
  6 de Agosto   -70   70-003     122       7.34               0.17     40   <1   <1   <1   3                       20   12   25   sulfs-qz>bar    
3850
  6 de Agosto   -70   70-004     788       8.98       0.11       0.69     3   2   1   1   8                       20       65   qz>py>sulfs>qz   incl of cp-tet in gal
3861
  Unión   -70   70-007     333       6.16               0.44     65   <1   <1   <1   2   <1                   30       3   py>sph>   incl of cp-gal-marc in sph
3869
  Unión   -70   70-009     101       4.34               0.37     10   <1   2       40                       40       10   sph>cp vetillas>py>qz   masive sph
3853
  Litoral   -70   70-005     639       9.10               1.10     3   2   6       10                       40       38   qz-py-sph-tet-cp>qz   py-sph-tet-cp-qz veinlets
3859
  Litoral   -70   70-006     244       1.43               0.41     20   <1   <1   <1   5                       60       15   py>cp>sph>gal>qz   incl of cp-gal in sph
3866
  Litoral   -70   70-008     282       8.52       0.67       0.22     5           <1   10                       45       40   sulfs>qz   vet qz-sul; masive sph
3905
  Litoral   -70   70-013     125       6.95               0.34     42   <1   25   <1   20                           <1       py>tet-gal>bar   8% alunita??? in veinlets.
3885
  Adela   -70   70-012     605       0.32               0.27     <1   1   <1   <1   2                       40   4   56   py>tet-sph>qz   vetillas py-sulf-qz
3880
  Adela   -70   70-011     935       3.79       0.12       0.61     2   <1   <1       30                       40       28   py>cp-tet-sph>qz    
3877
  Adela   -70   70-010     30       4.90                     15   <1   <1       5   <1                   30   10   50       qz-sph-py vet; trazas of wurzita
3349
  de Agosto   -110   110-002     123       4.64       0.17       0.10     20   <1   <1   <1   3   8                   40   5   25   cp>sph>gal>py>tet>qz>bar-marc   masiva sph in qz
2263
  Guernica   -110         1615       0.15       0.92       0.67     <1   <1   5   3   6                       40       45   py>gal-tet-cp>qz   vet qz-sulf
2267
  San José   -110         1617       1.55       0.31       1.02     8   <1   2   3   3                       40       34       vet qz-sulf. sph w/ incl. of cp-tet-py
2266
  San José   -110         243       9.81       0.13       0.56     15   <1   <1   2   3           <1           40       35   sulfs>qz>bar   sph bxa y vet; tet-gal w/ 5% siderite
2265
  Adela   -110         116       5.29       0.11       0.11     50   <1   <1       2                       30       13       masiva sph and late veinlets
3043
  Inca   0         950       5.48       2.51       0.21     5   <1   <1   8   <1   <1                   70       17   sulfs>qz   w/ galena and other sulfides
3032
  Inca   0         1415       0.55       0.16             <1               8   2                   30       60       wurtzita of low temp.
3016
  Inca   0         14049       0.80       0.11       0.68                     5   2                   20       65       8% limonites (oxid), qz c/vnts of oxid.
3011
  Inca   0         2906       0.97       0.38       0.15     5   2   <1   <1   2           1           20   60   10   barita>sulfs-qz???   veinlet qz-sul after barite
3056
  Inca   0         1006       3.35       0.52       0.19     12   1   <1   10   3                       30   15   30   sulfs>bar   low temp sph, yellowish and oxid.
3063
  Inca   0         4292       0.86       0.70       0.12     <1               5   1                   20       75       qz-py-marc in veinlets
3891
  Colonial   0         575                             <1   <1           5                       30   3   61       qz-py-tet in veinlets
3895
  Colonial   0         677                                 <1   <1       3                       40   2   55       qz-py-tet-cp in veinlets

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
12.0   EXPLORATION
There has been sporadic mining activity in the San Vicente area since colonial times. Initial exploitation was the mining of oxidized silver from exposed veins. The first written records of mining activity were in 1820, when the area was named the Guernica Mine. Several different owners operated the mine from 1911 through 1950. From 1950 until 1952, the mine was operated by the Aramayo Mining Company. In 1952, the Bolivian government nationalized the mine and placed it under control of COMIBOL. Following the discovery of new silver and zinc veins in the late sixties, COMIBOL constructed the Vetillas concentrating plant in 1972 with a capacity of 400 tonnes per day. The mine was operated by COMIBOL until 1993, at which time mining was suspended pending the privatization of mining in Bolivia. In 1995, the San Vicente property was offered for a joint-venture contract by COMIBOL. On June 21, 1999, PAS signed a joint-venture agreement (Contrato de Riesgo Compartido) with COMIBOL. In late 2001, PASB and COMIBOL, the Bolivian state mining company entered into a two-year toll mining agreement with EMUSA, to process up to 250 tonnes of San Vicente’s ore per day at EMUSA’s nearby Chilcobija mill. In late 2005, PASB and COMIBOL entered into an additional 7 month toll mining agreement with EMUSA to process up to 250 tonnes of San Vicente’s ore per day at EMUSA’s nearby Chilcobija mill. This toll mining agreement was renewed on August 8, 2006 for an additional 150,000 tonne program that is currently in progress.
The PASB exploration program began in 1999 following the execution of the joint venture agreement with COMIBOL. The work started with mapping and sampling the surface and was followed by the construction of drill access roads and platforms. Contracts were established with Leduc Drilling and Exploration Core Drilling S.R.L., and a total of 21 holes (3,831 m) were drilled from surface using HQ core and a further 8 holes (405 m) from inside the mine using NQ core. These holes targeted the old stoping areas, continuations of the principal veins along strike and at depth, and other veins to the northeast and south of the mine. Since the start of the exploration program, a total of 109 diamond core holes have been drilled, with 2,575 vein intercepts sampled with varying lengths from 0.2 metres to 7.14 metres.
In addition to the diamond drilling, a sampling program was started in the mine. An initial 41 channel samples were taken in four of the principal structures (6 de Agosto, Adela, Litoral and Unión). The results of the surface drilling showed wider intersections than had previously been mined underground and so the channel samples were unable to explore the full width of each vein. After this realization, mining work was undertaken to develop small cross section cross cuts (1.5 m by 2.0 m) at a maximum of 75 metres apart along strike in the four veins on levels 0, -30, -70 and -110 in order to explore the full economic width of each vein. Some 5,807 channel samples were taken by COMIBOL and 4,371 of these channel samples taken by COMIBOL remain in the database. The remainder have been excluded due to uncertainties over their location or replaced by PASB samples. A further 2,223 channel samples taken by PASB are included in the database. Some of the PAS channel samples replace the COMIBOL channel samples where the vein width is actually greater than was initially thought by COMIBOL.
Exploration activities continued in 2004 with 13,919 metres of surface and underground diamond drilling, and 2983 metres of underground development and resampling of historical reserve blocks for purposes of resource definition and exploration. Mine development and production to supply the Chilcobija mill continued in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and provided additional channel sample data for the resource database. A requirement of the interim mining programs agreed between PASB and COMIBOL was that sufficient additional development work be undertaken so that the total quantity of ore developed and ready for mining is maintained. This development provided additional channel samples in the principal and other structures.
All diamond drilling (underground and surface) was executed by Leduc Drilling S.R.L., and by Exploration Core Drilling S.R.L. Both are Bolivian companies and both were contractors to PASB under the supervision of PASB geologists.
Channel sampling underground was originally partially done by COMIBOL and later done by PASB employees under the supervision of PASB geologists. The channel sampling conducted by COMIBOL has been resampled and replaced by PASB sampling in the major structures as explained in section 14.0.

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Mineral resource blocks that rely entirely on the COMIBOL channel samples have not been converted to mineral reserves and remain in the mineral resource categories.
Soil sampling was conducted in 6 parallel lines with a 100 m line spacing and 50 m sample spacing along lines. These lines cut the extension of the Guernica vein, the Litoral area and the extension of San Francisco and San Lorenzo veins. Samples were analyzed by SGS del Peru S.A.C for Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Au, Ni, Pd, and Ag.
The principal structures explored by PASB are: 6 de Agosto; Litoral Ramal 2; Litoral; Deseada; Adela, and Union. These principal structures contain 2,504,619 tonnes or 82% of the 3,058,185 tonnes in the mineral reserves. The highest grades and widest widths were discovered to be in the Litoral Ramal 2 structure, which has been diamond drilled using a 70 metre by 30 metre pattern. This structure contains 801,895 tonnes or 26% of the mineral reserves. The San Vicente deposit is typical of the polymetallic vein deposits found in the Bolivian Andes. The system contains a large amount of mineralized structures and veins which in many cases remain open for exploration both at depth and laterally.
13.0 DRILLING
109 drill holes were completed by PASB from 1999 to 2006 totalling 18,155 metres, obtaining HQ (approximately 6 cm) diameter core. Downhole deviation surveys were executed using a Tropari (mechanical) compass.
The initial drilling program was focused on the North San Vicente Area, where veins are close together and abundant. Results were not completely satisfactory and drilling was re-focused on the central zone. Although the veins in the north show economic values they do not have exploitable widths. The north zone maintains its exploration potential as many structures show increasing thickness at depth and sigmoidal loops. Minor reconnaissance drilling was done outside of the central San Vicente area.
A listing of the San Vicente drill hole collar locations and the economically important down hole intersects are given in Tables 8a and 8b. More detailed information on the intercepts and the channel sampling is shown in Appendix B.
Tables 8a and 8b show the surface and underground diamond drill results and includes the structures that were interpreted to be intercepted as well as the approximate level at which the intersection occurred.
The diamond drill hole spacing and covered areas are derived from a combination of underground and surface diamond drilling. The information for veins that received the most exploration diamond drilling focus are as follows:
    6 de Agosto vein — drill spacing is 70 metres horizontal by 30 metres vertical centers. Some holes were drilled at the extents of the vein with wider spacing in order to evaluate the continuation of the structure. The explored portion of this vein covers an area that extends 450 metres horizontally by 90 metres vertically.
 
    Litoral Ramal 2 vein — drill spacing is 70 metres horizontal by 30 metres vertical centers. Some holes were drilled at the extents of the vein with wider spacing in order to evaluate the continuation of the structure. The explored portion of this vein covers an area that extends 800 metres horizontally by 250 metres vertically.
 
    Litoral vein — drill spacing is 50 to 70 metres horizontal by 30 metres vertical centers. Some holes were drilled at the extents of the vein with wider spacing in order to evaluate the continuation of the structure. The explored portion of this vein covers an area that extends 200 metres horizontally by 50 metres vertically.
 
    Union vein — drill spacing is 35 to 90 metres horizontal by 30 to 50 metres vertical centers. Some holes were drilled at the extents of the vein with wider spacing in order to evaluate the continuation of the structure. The explored portion of this vein covers an area that extends 420 metres horizontally by 160 metres vertically.

25


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
    Colonial vein — although this is not a principal vein it was subject to a drilling program. Drill spacing is 90 metres horizontal by 40 metres vertical centers. Some holes were drilled at the extents of the vein with wider spacing in order to evaluate the continuation of the structure. The explored portion of this vein covers an area that extends 300 metres horizontally by 90 metres vertically.
 
    Deseada vein — drill spacing is 150 metres horizontal by 30 metres vertical centers. Due to disappointing results from drilling the depth extension of this vein, no further infill drilling was done. The mineral reserve on this vein Is based on development channel samples.
13.1. Surface Diamond Drilling
Drilling from surface was carried out in two stages totalling 15,922 metres. The first stage included 13 drill holes mainly located in the North San Vicente area; the second one contains 63 diamond drill holes mostly in the central zone. Diamond drill holes are located and oriented by geologists in the field. Typical drill holes are oriented to cut across the vein zones at an orientation perpendicular to the local strike of the zones and inclined to intercept the vein at as high an angle as is practical. In these cases the true width is assumed to be the same as the sample length of the vein intercept. In other cases, drilling to greater depths caused veins to be intercepted at less than 90 degree core axial angles. In these cases true widths of the vein intersection was calculated using trigonometry and stated in table 8a together with drill hole numbers, level of intersection and geochemical results for the mineralized zones.

26


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Table 8a Summary Data San Vicente Surface Diamond Drill Holes
                                             
               
        Level   RESULTS  
HOLE No.   STRUCTURE   intersected   Width (True)     Ag (g/t)   Cu (%)     Pb (%)     Zn (%)  
DDH-99-001
  Desconocida   -50     0.55     288     0.12       0.86       0.30  
DDH-99-001
  Clavo Inca   -95     3.36     150     0.09       0.09       0.11  
DDH-99-002   Veta E       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-003
  Lipena   +25     0.23     282     0.05       0.90       0.71  
DDH-99-004
  Desconocida   +122     0.16     669     0.08       0.04       0.06  
DDH-99-004
  Desconocida   +50     1.80     158     0.03       0.07       0.01  
DDH-99-005   Veta “D”       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-006
  Veta "G"   -65     0.25     35     0.02       0.21       2.45  
DDH-99-007
  Guernica   -113     0.71     279     0.48       0.14       0.24  
DDH-99-007
  Rmo-Guernica         0.25     167     0.34       0.12       0.22  
DDH-99-008
  Desconocida   +116     0.47     358     0.02       0.31       0.16  
DDH-99-008
  Veta "E"   +78     1.83     234     0.01       0.36       0.10  
DDH-99-009
  Desconocida   +120     0.90     1,425     0.03       0.18       0.35  
DDH-99-009
  Desconocida   +70     0.90     246     0.007       0.05       0.56  
DDH-99-010   Brunton y Myriam       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-011
  Gandy   -52     1.31     65     0.04       0.12       2.70  
DDH-99-011
  San Vicente   -97     0.75     22     0.03       0.09       3.68  
DDH-99-012
  6Agosto   -40     5.20     275     0.13       0.12       3.57  
DDH-99-014
  Rmo Arturo         0.70     36     0.04       0.05       6.32  
DDH-99-014
  Arturo Footwall   -60     0.74     80     0.20       0.11       4.19  
DDH-99-014
  Arturo   -60     6.70     41     0.06       0.04       5.54  
DDH-99-015
  San Francisco   -110     1.66     93     0.15       0.02       2.00  
DDH-99-016   Chichas       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-017
  Litoral   -95     7.14     1022     0.78       0.02       1.45  
DDH-99-017
  Litoral Ramo 2   -105     2.78     351     0.11       0.01       1.18  
DDH-99-018
  Veta "H"   +30     0.55     286     0.02       0.07       0.57  
DDH-99-019   Veta “E”       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-020   Stockwork       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-021
  6Agosto   +50     3.42     183     0.10       0.11       3.59  
DDH-99-021
  6Agosto   +50     1.25     208     0.20       0.07       5.24  
DDH-52-3
  Cantera   -55     0.86     153     0.10       0.43       6.00  
DDH-52-3   6Agosto       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-03-022
  Litoral   -120     1.50     54     0.70       0.10       0.57  
DDH-03-023
  Litoral   -117     2.03     1,201     2.50       0.30       3.80  
DDH-03-023
  Litoral Ramo 2   -125 a -135     6.29     813     0.51       0.10       3.10  
DDH-03-024
  Arturo   -110     1.75     88     0.18       0.16       4.55  
DDH-03-025
  Litoral   -55     1.50     93     0.76       0.01       0.11  
DDH-03-025
  SLorenzo   -131     0.70     422     0.54       0.08       2.32  
DDH-03-026
  Litoral   -61     4.45     429     0.61       0.05       0.07  
DDH-03-026
  Litoral Ramo 2   -102 a -110     6.10     454     0.16       0.07       2.29  
DDH-03-027
  Litoral   -78 a -92     4.45     793     0.69       0.08       0.23  
DDH-03-027
  Litoral Ramo 2   -126 a -150     6.29     741     0.71       0.03       1.05  
DDH-04-028
  Litoral         1.97     38     0.21       0.05       1.19  
DDH-04-028
  SLorenzo         0.70     13     0.01       0.03       0.07  

27


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
                                             
               
        Level   RESULTS  
HOLE No.   STRUCTURE   intersected   Width (True)     Ag (g/t)   Cu (%)     Pb (%)     Zn (%)  
DDH-04-029
  Litoral Ramo 2   -128     3.07     1,398     0.47       0.27       11.26  
DDH-04-030
  SLorenzo   -100     0.70     153     0.27       0.05       0.14  
DDH-04-030
  Litoral   -116     1.69     261     0.76       0.10       1.49  
DDH-04-031
  Litoral Ramo 2   -90     1.50     81     0.08       0.02       2.73  
DDH-04-032
  Litoral Ramo 2         1.50     8     0.01       0.01       0.02  
DDH-04-033
  Litoral         1.50     9     0.03       0.08       0.49  
DDH-04-034
  Litoral Ramo 2   -33     1.50     118     0.62       0.32       3.31  
DDH-04-035
  Guernica2   -155     0.85     119     0.16       0.09       0.86  
DDH-04-036
  Union   -98     0.70     25     0.05       0.01       0.02  
DDH-04-037
  Deseada   -84     0.70     206     0.42       0.07       1.64  
DDH-04-038
  Litoral Ramo 2   -117     1.50     74     0.05       0.02       0.06  
DDH-04-038
  Litoral   -130     1.50     200     0.23       0.02       0.66  
DDH-04-039
  Deseada   -105     1.06     171     0.09       0.05       7.51  
DDH-04-040
  Ramo Arturo   +35     1.02     58     0.06       0.30       6.63  
DDH-04-040
  Arturo   +31     1.17     101     0.22       0.42       5.28  
DDH-04-040
  Arturo   -27     0.83     114     0.26       0.35       3.00  
DDH-04-41
  Unión   -32     0.70     5     0.00       0.01       0.13  
DDH-04-41
  Ramo Unión   -54     0.42     109     0.09       0.48       14.10  
DDH-04-042
  Desconocida   -85     0.33     205     0.56       0.10       3.58  
DDH-04-042
  Litoral Ramo 2   -160     1.70     260     0.37       0.01       3.46  
DDH-04-042
  Litoral.   -196     0.70     202     0.33       0.01       0.10  
DDH-04-043
  Union   +4     0.70     3     0.00       0.02       0.05  
DDH-04-044
  Deseada   -88     0.70     5     0.01       0.01       0.96  
DDH-04-045
  Union   -60     0.70     3     0.00       0.01       0.06  
DDH-04-046
  Litoral   -134     1.50     1,171     0.37       0.10       0.40  
DDH-04-046
  Litoral Ramo 2         1.50     10     0.01       0.01       0.01  
DDH-04-047
  Sophia I   -91     0.77     204     0.08       0.57       0.16  
DDH-04-048
  Desconocida   “0”     1.25     279     0.06       0.07       0.47  
DDH-04-048
  Rmo. Colonial   -68     0.37     475     0.04       0.02       0.15  
DDH-04-048
  Colonial   -75     2.32     732     0.21       0.16       0.37  
DDH-04-049
  Rmo Adela ???   -40     0.37     300     0.03       0.05       1.27  
DDH-04-049
  Disputada.   -82     0.3     167     0.02       0.50       1.98  
DDH-04-049
  Rmo Unión   -140     0.5     374     1.62       0.48       2.40  
DDH-04-049
  Union   -148     0.70     9     0.00       0.01       0.05  
DDH-04-050
  Rmo Deseada   -62     1.13     154     0.02       0.05       5.43  
DDH-04-050
  Deseada   -91     0.70     6     0.00       0.02       0.28  
DDH-04-051
  6Agosto   -134     0.72     30     0.00       0.01       0.28  
DDH-04-052
  Desconocida   -32     0.79     165     0.02       0.07       0.13  
DDH-04-052
  Veta Colonial   -50     1.86     294     0.03       0.39       0.35  
DDH-04-053
  Sophia I   -99     1.27     607     0.01       0.16       0.02  
DDH-04-054
  Ramo Adela   -13     0.4     21     0.03       0.04       3.71  
DDH-04-054
  Unión   -97     1.94     179     0.26       0.14       1.74  
DDH-04-054
  Union   -133     0.70     82     0.07       0.03       0.21  
DDH-04-055
  Litoral Ramo 2   -163     5.35     306     0.71       0.01       0.41  
DDH-04-056
  Desconocida   -15     0.42     128     0.02       0.06       0.62  
DDH-04-056
  Colonial   -95     0.9     78     0.05       0.41       0.42  

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
                                             
               
        Level   RESULTS  
HOLE No.   STRUCTURE   intersected   Width (True)     Ag (g/t)   Cu (%)     Pb (%)     Zn (%)  
DDH-04-057
  Desconocida   +17     0.29     1,015     0.01       0.04       0.01  
DDH-04-057
  Desconocida “A”   +11     0.54     392     0.02       0.05       0.01  
DDH-04-057
  Colonial   -76     0.63     167     0.14       0.60       0.97  
DDH-04-058
  Desconocida “A”   -14     0.9     438     0.12       0.08       0.16  
DDH-04-058   Colonial   -115   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-04-059
  Desconocida   -14     0.92     378     0.26       0.15       0.49  
DDH-04-059
  Colonial   -90     0.37     200     0.17       0.14       0.36  
DDH-04-060
  Sophia I   -89     1.22     71     0.05       0.23       0.35  
DDH-04-061
  Litoral Ramo 2   -78     3.79     757     0.31       0.11       3.06  
DDH-04-062
  Litoral Ramo 2   -125     3.56     2,262     0.45       0.36       5.75  
DDH-04-063
  Litoral Ramo 2   -68     1.50     79     0.23       0.09       0.51  
DDH-04-064
  Litoral Ramo 2   -114     1.68     534     0.22       0.20       1.41  
DDH-04-065
  Litoral Ramo 2   -160     5.42     1,967     0.56       0.12       0.37  
DDH-04-066
  Litoral Ramo 2   -70     1.81     32     0.05       0.07       0.36  
DDH-04-067
  Litoral Ramo 2   -113     1.60     321     0.10       0.31       5.45  
DDH-04-068
  Litoral Ramo 2   -163     2.71     287     0.38       0.27       0.36  
DDH-04-069
  Litoral Ramo 2   -132     1.58     231     0.02       0.36       4.83  
DDH-04-070
  Litoral Ramo 2   -127     1.78     275     0.27       0.08       2.51  
DDH-04-071
  Litoral Ramo 2   -127     1.50     53     0.01       0.36       0.63  
DDH-04-072
  Litoral Ramo 2   -122     1.53     355     0.40       0.30       4.61  
DDH-04-073
  Litoral Ramo 2   -156     1.50     44     0.02       0.01       0.03  
DDH-04-074
  Litoral Ramo 2   -215     1.50     93     0.02       0.25       0.10  
DDH-04-075
  Litoral Ramo 2   -269     1.50     43     0.01       0.08       0.63  
DDH-04-076
  Litoral Ramo 2   -160     6.29     564     0.16       0.08       1.56  
DDH-04-077
  Litoral Ramo 2   -231     1.50     22     0.01       0.02       0.42  
DDH-04-078
  Litoral Ramo 2   -196     1.50     44     0.71       0.01       0.35  
DDH-04-079
  Litoral Ramo 2   -42     1.94     302     0.71       0.18       0.74  
DDH-04-080
  Litoral Ramo 2   -209     1.50     150     0.09       0.19       1.01  
DDH-04-081
  Litoral Ramo 2   -180     1.54     263     0.09       0.36       1.98  
DDH-04-082
  Litoral Ramo 2   -230     1.50     48     0.02       0.10       0.36  
DDH-04-083
  Litoral Ramo 2   -185     1.84     814     0.71       0.36       0.71  
DDH-04-084
  Litoral Ramo 2   -245     1.50     407     0.10       0.36       1.32  
13.2. Underground Diamond Drilling
Underground drilling was carried out in two stages, totalling 2,233 metres. The first campaign was directed to test down dip extensions of 6 de Agosto with 8 drill holes totalling 405.30 metres. NQ diameter core was obtained for further logging and sampling. The second campaign was targeting the down dip and extension of Litoral vein. Typical drill holes are oriented to cut across the vein zones at an orientation perpendicular to the local strike of the zones and inclined to intercept the vein at as high an angle as is practical. In these cases the true width is assumed to be the same as the sample length of the vein intercept. In other cases, drilling to greater depths caused veins to be intercepted at less than 90 degree core axial angles. In these cases true widths of the vein intersection was calculated using trigonometry and stated in Table 8b together with drill hole numbers, level of intersection and geochemical results for the mineralized zones.

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Table 8b Summary Data San Vicente Underground Diamond Drill Holes
                                             
        HITS AT   RESULTS  
DRILL HOLE   STRUCTURE   LEVEL   Trure Width (m)   Ag (g/t) Cu (%)     Pb (%)     Zn (%)  
DDH-99-70-001   Veta Unión   -105   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-70-002   Veta Adela   -75   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-99-70-003
  Veta Adela   -73     2.68     304.0     0.33       0.05       1.89  
DDH-99-70-003
  Veta Ramo Union   -95     1.02     244.2     0.23       0.03       0.41  
DDH-99-70-003
  Veta Unión   -90     1.65     2125.4     1.03       0.37       4.99  
DDH-99-70-004
  Veta Litoral   -80     10.65     355.0     0.16       0.04       2.47  
DDH-99-70-004
  Veta Adela Ramo-2   -90     3.20     469.0     0.46       0.02       6.91  
DDH-99-70-005
  Veta 6 de Agosto   -85     0.86     433.3     0.56       0.11       0.37  
DDH-99-70-006
  Veta 6 de Agosto   -110     4.19     76.4     0.15       0.09       6.85  
DDH-99-70-007
  Veta Desconocida   -74     0.53     475.0     0.44       0.05       2.48  
DDH-99-70-007
  Veta Rmo. Adela   -88     0.72     150.5     0.21       0.05       0.94  
DDH-99-70-008
  Veta Desconocida   -74     0.41     198.0     0.15       0.04       0.58  
DDH-9101   Veta Ramo San José       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-9101   Veta 6 de Agosto   -160   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-9102
  Veta Ramo San José   -173     1.19     626.5     0.16       0.09       0.18  
DDH-9101   Veta 6 de Agosto   -260   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-03-70-009
  6 de Agosto   -142     1.71     34.7     0.08       0.08       0.70  
DDH-03-70-010
  Deseada   -122     0.68     174.0     0.48       0.18       1.88  
DDH-04-70-011   Adela       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-04-70-012
  Ramo 6 de Agosto??   -122     0.49     101.0     0.28       0.05       2.00  
DDH-04-70-012
  6 de Agosto   -135     1.61     74.5     0.24       0.12       7.58  
DDH-04-70-013
  Adela Rmo -2   -80     1.02     369.8     0.11       1.63       13.41  
DDH-04-70-013
  Rmo-Ramo Adela   -84     0.31     60.0     0.07       0.04       7.20  
DDH-04-70-013
  Ramo Adela   -92     0.63     2231.0     0.64       0.02       7.20  
DDH-04-70-013
  Unión   -107     1.41     314.6     1.90       0.15       1.44  
DDH-04-70-014
  Unión   -114     2.04     1090.0     0.49       0.02       2.14  
DDH-04-70-014
  Ramo Unión   -124     0.35     65.6     0.08       0.04       9.13  
DDH-04-70-015   Adela       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-04-70-016   Unión       NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-03-70-017
  6 de Agosto   -154     1.37     89.0     0.92       0.18       1.80  
DDH-04-30-018
  6 de Agosto   -112     0.92     290.0     0.68       0.02       2.41  
DDH-04-30-019   6 de Agosto   -150   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS
DDH-04-30-020
  Rmo San Lorenzo   -32     1.67     163.3     0.94       0.16       3.44  
DDH-04-30-020
  Vet. Desconocida   -52     1.65     19.6     0.03       0.34       3.30  
DDH-04-30-020
  Vet. Desconocida   -57     1.69     100.7     0.25       1.01       8.91  
DDH-04-30-021
  Vet. Desconocida   -36     0.69     324.0     0.24       0.01       1.30  
DDH-04-30-021
  Vet. Desconocida   -43     1.85     77.2     0.17       0.02       1.80  
DDH-04-30-021
  Veta Porvenir   -51     0.44     127.0     0.08       0.01       0.36  
DDH-04-30-021   Rmo. Arturo   -53   NO SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTS

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14.0 SAMPLING METHOD AND APPROACH
In addition to the diamond drilling, a sampling program was started in the mine. An initial 41 channel samples were taken in 4 of the principal structures (6 de Agosto, Adela, Litoral and Unión). The results of the surface drilling showed wider intersections than had previously been mined underground; hence the channel samples were unable to explore the full width of each vein. After this realization, mining work was undertaken to develop small cross section cross cuts (1.5 m by 2.0 m) at a maximum of 75 metres apart along strike in the four veins on levels 0, -30, -70 and -110 in order to explore the full economic width of each vein. Some 5,807 channel samples were taken by COMIBOL and a further 2,449 channel samples taken by PASB. Some of the PAS channel samples replace the COMIBOL channel samples where the vein width is actually greater than was initially thought by COMIBOL.
All underground channel sampling and re-sampling (COMIBOL and PASB) which includes two generation of samples are shown in detail in Appendix C. The first generation includes samples collected from similar locations and the same sample widths as sampled by COMIBOL. The second generation of samples is a selective sampling with variable widths that considers the behaviour (splitting and development of veinlets) of the vein. Data comparison shows variability of results that do not allow a correlation factor to be defined. In many locations it was impossible to precisely reconstruct the COMIBOL sample location and/or the COMIBOL samples never included disseminated mineralization in the hanging or foot walls. Hence COMIBOL samples returned in most cases higher grades over more narrow widths. Both data sets were used in the mineral resource/reserve estimation and treated as two different populations which were superimposed once the grade interpolation was established on each population. Blocks containing only historical sample information have not been included in the mineral reserve estimation and remain in the indicated resource category. A second round of channel re-sampling was completed during 2005 by collecting 2,562 channel samples from different veins and levels. Refer to Appendix C for detailed sample results.
The samples were collected under the supervision of PASB geologists, who ensured the quality of the collected samples, and verified that they were properly labelled; identifying them with an alpha numeric label (i.e. CH-99-30-001, being CH for channel sample, collected in the year 99 in level 30 and finally the sample number). These samples were then transported by PASB personnel to Bondar-Clegg laboratories (now ALS Chemex) in Oruro, Bolivia for sample preparation and analyses.
The typical core sampling procedure was to half-saw the HQ core after descriptive geological and geotechnical logging and core recovery estimation by PASB employees. Half of the core was submitted for analysis to the same laboratories as the underground channel samples, while the remaining half is stored at the San Vicente site. The rock mass at San Vicente is generally good to excellent and diamond drill core recovery on the whole was excellent. There are no core or sample recovery problems which could have materially impacted the accuracy and reliability of the results.
The data used for the estimation of mineral reserves and resources consists almost entirely of drill hole samples and underground chip channel samples from the backs of drifts, the ribs of crosscuts, the backs of stopes and the ribs of raises. The channel samples are taken using hammer and chisel, every 4 metres across the veins in 20 cm wide channels approximately 3 cm deep. Stopes are channel sampled every vertical cut (1.6 metres) on 2-metre centers along strike. Due to the dense and regular nature of the underground channel sample pattern the sample results are representative for this type of polymetallic vein deposit. There is a bias inherent in the COMIBOL methodology to narrower vein widths and higher grades. The methodology used to mitigate this effect is as follows: Ordinary kriging was applied in two phases, first to PAS sampling data only (channels and drill holes) and later to remnant blocks containing data collected by COMIBOL. Variogram models were obtained for each variable and for each vein which has been divided in blocks of 40 x 20 m (strike and dip).
The lithology of the San Vicente Mine area is relatively simple. Included are the fanglomerate facies of the San Vicente formation, which are in contact with Ordovician shales along the San Vicente fault. The fanglomerate consists of poorly sorted conglomerate with clastic sub angular fragments of Palaeozoic sediments cross cut by quartz veins. The matrix is red in colour and consists of iron bearing sandstone. Mineralization is in structurally controlled veins. Sample width is based on visible vein width, which varies

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from 0.2 metres to 7.5 metres. Wide vein intersections are sampled in several intervals dependant on the visible mineralization changes. In areas where the wall rock shows disseminated mineralization, additional samples were taken in regular intervals from 0.7 metres to 1.0 metres in length.
A summary of samples with grades and measured true widths is shown in Appendix C.
In conclusion, it is Michael Steinmann’s opinion that the sampling method applied at San Vicente by PASB gives representative results and meets industry standards.
15.0 SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES, AND SECURITY
PASB employees prepared the various drill and channel samples and sent them to commercial laboratories for sample preparation and analysis. None of the sample preparation and analysis done at the commercial laboratories was conducted by an employee, officer, director, or associate of PASB.
Drill hole samples are taken from half cores cut with a diamond saw after the core logging took place. The second half of the core is stored in a secured location on site for cross checks and further analysis. Samples are sent to Oruro (ALS Chemex) or La Paz (SGS) for sample preparation where samples are crushed, split and milled for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (“AA”) analysis. The prepared samples are then shipped by the laboratories to their respective Lima facilities and analyzed for Ag, Zn, Pb and Cu. If Ag grades are higher than 500 g/t, a fire assay is performed; if values for zinc are greater than 10%, a titrimetric analysis is performed. During the entire procedure from sampling to analysis, sample security is controlled by PASB employees or by the certified laboratories once samples have been delivered to the Bolivian preparation facilities. Both of these laboratories fulfill the requirement of ISO 9001:2000 standards In addition the SGS laboratory in Lima is accredited for ISO 17025. Both laboratories report assay results by e-mail and by certified paper copy to PASB.
The standard sample flow, preparation, analysis, and database entry consists of the following steps:
  1.   PASB geologists make lithologic logs and mark core for assay sample selection.
 
  2.   Core is half-sawed at San Vicente site.
 
  3.   Each half-sawed sample is placed into a plastic bag with sample number and stapled shut (remaining half core is stored in warehouse facility at San Vicente site).
 
  4.   Bagged samples are transported by PASB personnel by light truck to Oruro or La Paz.
 
  5.   ALS or SGS receives core, logs it in, and weighs it as received.
 
  6.   ALS or SGS crushes entire sample to 70% -10 mesh (Tyler Series basis).
 
  7.   ALS or SGS splits sample with riffle splitter down to 1000 grams, retaining the coarse reject until instructed by PASB as to disposition.
 
  8.   ALS or SGS pulverizes the entire split to 85% -200 mesh (Tyler Series basis).
 
  9.   ALS or SGS performs Atomic Absorption (AA) on Ag, Zn, Pb and Cu
 
  10.   ALS or SGS performs a 50 gram fire assay for Ag grades > 500 g/t.
 
  11.   ALS or SGS performs a titrimetric analysis on Zn grades > 10%
 
  12.   ALS or SGS reports assay by email and by paper copy to PASB, both as spreadsheet and as certificate
 
  13.   PASB personnel assign the assay data to hole and depth interval, keying on sample number.
 
  14.   Incremental assay data are combined into a global drill and sampling database.
Historically, no duplicate assays have been systematically performed. QA/QC for drill samples was applied in the second phase drilling starting in the year 2003, including the re-assaying of about 3% of the samples. Comparison of results are shown in Table 8c . (Sample results from check assays from diamond drilling). Check assays were performed on the same samples on pulps by the same primary laboratory and on rejects by a secondary laboratory. In 2007 PASB implemented certified standards as an additional QA/QC control. One standard is submitted in every batch of 20 samples. All of the drilling, sampling and QA/QC programs were conducted under the direct supervision of Pan American’s geology staff. In addition, 21 mineral reserve blocks have been resampled for quality control.

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In conclusion, it is Dr. Michael Steinmann’s opinion that the San Vicente sampling, sample preparation, security, analytical procedures, and quality assurance program meets industry standards.
Table 8c Diamond Drilling Check Assays
                                                                 
SAMPLES   SILVER   ZINC
SAMPLE   SAMPLE   SAMPLE   1st. Analisis   2nd. Analisis   3rd. Analisis   1st. Analisis   2nd. Analisis   3rd. Analisis
NUMBER   NUMBER   NUMBER   Ag   SGS   CHEMEX   Zn   SGS   CHEMEX
ORIGINAL   SGS-Pulpas   CHEMEX-rechazos   g/t   Pulps   Rejects   %   Pulps   Rejects
7020
    30001       7020       1788.0       1706.0       2040.0       0.76       0.76       0.80  
7041
    30005       7041       8.0       5.2       1.4       0.27       0.29       0.03  
7060
    30002       7060       8.4       42.4       10.6       0.07       0.08       0.08  
7083
    30006       7083       33.0       7.2       69.7       0.11       0.12       0.13  
7104
    30003       7104       344.0       38.8       331.0       0.03       0.03       0.03  
7120
    30007       7120       3893.0       4014.0       4330.0       18.00       20.90       19.25  
7140
    30004       7140       13.0       7.2       10.3       0.32       0.35       0.40  
7160
    30008       7160       203.0       224.0       168.0       0.19       0.26       0.23  
7181
    30009       7181       3.2       3.2       1.8       0.03       0.02       0.02  
7200
    30010       7200       1453.0       1446.0       1540.0       1.36       1.36       1.38  
7221
    30015       7221       42.0       55.6       52.5       1.28       1.44       1.34  
7222
    30014       7222       23.0       27.2       27.7       0.68       0.80       0.88  
7227
    30013       7227       4.8       4.8       4.3       0.56       0.56       0.64  
7230
    30012       7230       45.0       56.8       55.1       0.44       0.48       0.55  
7240
    30011       7240       4.0       1.0       2.0       0.60       0.60       0.63  
7260
    30016       7260       1467.0       1997.0       1930.0       6.40       6.71       6.33  
7280
    30018       7280       12.0       12.3       12.6       1.16       1.20       1.17  
7304
    30017       7304       173.0       164.6       171.0       0.26       0.28       0.27  
7320
    30020       7320       39.5       42.5       41.9       6.80       7.03       6.71  
7339
    30019       7339       2231.0       2227.0       2310.0       7.20       7.13       7.48  
7361
    30021       7361       15.0       13.2       14.3       0.12       0.16       0.14  
7383
    30022       7383       185.0       155.7       164.0       2.40       2.45       2.40  
7415
    30024       7415       1433.0       1490.0       1465.0       2.80       3.29       2.92  
7420
    30025       7420       62.4       12.4       10.3       0.64       0.69       0.68  
7440
    30023       7440       110.0       96.4       99.0       0.52       0.66       0.60  
7460
    30026       7460       27.2       26.5       24.7       0.09       0.11       0.11  
7477
    7477       30027       500.0       579.0       592.0       3.95       4.00       4.31  
7497
    7497       30028       7.1       7.0       4.2       0.11       0.11       0.06  
7515
    7515       30029       130.0       131.0       137.0       0.91       0.93       0.93  
7538
    7538       30030       4.3       3.3       4.5       0.26       0.25       0.27  
7569
    7569       30031       101.0       98.0       98.0       5.28       5.29       5.28  
7590
    7590       30032       256.0       255.0       244.0       16.35       16.00       15.60  
7608
    7608       30033       677.0       682.0       571.0       9.54       9.47       9.35  
7630
    7630       30034       20.1       21.0       21.0       1.88       2.09       1.90  
7666
    7666       30035       192.0       208.0       174.0       5.43       5.43       4.85  
7683
    7683       30036       3740.0       3757.0       2950.0       1.23       1.34       1.11  
7701
    7701       30037       625.0       664.0       774.0       0.38       0.38       0.44  
7724
    7724       30038       36.1       37.0       40.6       0.34       0.33       0.36  
7748
    7748       30039       876.0       953.0       983.0       0.19       0.19       0.21  
7775
    7775       30040       776.0       782.0       165.0       0.15       0.15       0.05  
7788
    7788       30041       9.1       9.0       9.4       0.13       0.13       0.14  
7809
    7809       30042       107.0               96.0       0.23               0.22  
7830
    7830       30043       87.2               85.5       0.07               0.07  
7853
    7853       30044       678.0               630.0       0.77               0.73  
7874
    7874       30045       2270.0               2160.0       6.60               6.69  
7892
    7892       30046       90.2               90.3       4.14               3.81  

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16.0 DATA VERIFICATION
Sampling results returning from the laboratories are plotted on level plans and visually checked for outliers. Check samples are plotted against each other for every element analysed. Most of the data verification is done using Data Mine®, commercial mine modeling software Samples are plotted on plans and sections to verify the correct location in the drifts or stopes. Further details about data verification and applied geostatistics are given in Section 19.
PASB performs routine assay data verification by primary and secondary laboratory check sample analyses. In addition, ALS Chemex and SGS perform numerous internal standard determinations and checks.
Historically, no duplicate assays have been systematically performed because this was not a standard procedure for COMIBOL at their operations.
Data analysis and verification evaluations have been performed for the San Vicente mine by Mr. Elmer Ildefonso, Geostatistical consultant to PASB. Mr. Ildefonso is an accomplished expert in mineral resource and reserve model development; however, he is not a Qualified Person. As such, PAS’s Dr. Michael Steinmann has reviewed and verified the work of Mr. Elmer Ildefonso.
17.0 ADJACENT PROPERTIES
There is no information on adjacent properties in this Technical Report.
18.0 MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING
PASB employed the engineering firm Lyntek Inc, based in Denver, Colorado, to design the process plant flow sheet and to estimate the plant capital costs. PASB provided Lyntek with engineering reports and operating data from the Chilcobija Concentrator when processing San Vicente ore. Detailed below is a summary of the most significant information contained in these sources that Lyntek used in developing the flow sheet for the new concentrator at San Vicente.
  1.   Grinding to 65% -200 mesh (80% -150 mesh) provides sufficient liberation for selective flotation of the San Vicente ore.
 
  2.   Bond Work Index = 11.64 KwH/T
 
  3.   Regrinding of the ore is not necessary.
 
  4.   Two stages of cleaning are required for the copper/silver concentrate;
 
  5.   Total flotation times of more than 10 minutes are required in the copper/silver flotation stages;
 
  6.   It is possible to produce zinc concentrate with grades higher than 48% zinc with recoveries approaching 90% depending upon the depression of zinc in the copper/silver flotation stages;
 
  7.   Grinding to 65% -200 mesh (80% -150 mesh) is required for optimum selective separation of the silver, zinc, and copper.
 
  8.   Tests indicate that the Cu/Ag concentrate will recover 80% of the Ag, 73% of the CU, and 17% of the Zn and the Zn/Ag concentrate will recover 12% of the Ag, 16% of the Cu, and 78% of the Zn (pilot test number PS-105).
Mr. Douglas Maxwell, P.E, one of the authors of this Technical Report, has reviewed the foregoing information and approves it. He has determined that in his professional judgement the conclusions reached are sound and approves of and confirms the use of this information.

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Metallurgical Testwork includes the following:
  1.   Determination of Bond Work Index — Universidad Nacional de Igenieria, September 2005.
  o   This comminution testing was performed at the Mineral Processing Laboratory of the National University of Engineering — College of Mining, Metallurgical and Geological Engineering located in Lima Peru. The conclusion was that the Bond Work Index = 11.64 Kwh/T. The procedure used was to determine the amount of fines minus 150 mesh generated in each turn of a grinding mill over a number of 100 revolution cycles, with the fines being replaced with fresh sample after each cycle until equilibrium was reached.
  2.   Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals at the San Vicente mine conducted at Tecsup Laboratories — Alfredo Vargas, October, 2004.
 
  3.   This study was conducted in Lima, Peru. The objective was to produce silver and zinc concentrates with the highest grades and recoveries that could be reproduced in new plant. Five samples that were provided by San Vicente from different levels of the Litoral and 6 de Agosto veins were crushed separately to 10 mesh, mixed and separated into 1 kilogram samples and stored in a freezer until used. The samples were milled in a laboratory 21 centimetre by 24-centimetre ball mill with a 12 kilogram soft steel ball charge to reproduce industrial conditions. Natural flotation and selective flotation tests were performed.
 
      Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals of the San Vicente mine conducted at Quiruvilca mine, Peru — G. Portales, September 2005.
 
  4.   Additional floatation testwork was performed by A. Vargas, P.E.. The purpose of the testwork was to verify the results of Test 105 in the metallurgical study conducted by A. Vargas. The conclusion of the work was that the test results were confirmed. In order to obtain a representative sample, the 4,500 tonne stockpile at the San Vicente mine was sampled and the size reduced to 1/2 inch. The total weight of the sample was 180 kilograms. The sample had an average head grade of 384 g/t silver, 0.34% copper, 0.12% lead, 5.92% zinc. The flotation testwork was conducted at the Quiruvilca mine who have a long history of production using the flotation process.
 
  5.   Metallurgical Testwork on San Vicente Ore. Carried out in the Metallurgical Laboratory of the National University of Peru, Faculty of Mining, Geological and Metallurgical Engineering. By Julio Uza Teruya, September 2005.
 
  6.   Determination of Work Index, Carried out in the Metallurgical Laboratory of the National University of Peru, Faculty of Mining, Geological and Metallurgical Engineering, by Julio Uza Teruya. September 2005.
 
  7.   Information gathered from 3 phases of toll milling San Vicente ore at Chilcobija mill from 2001 to present, consisting of a 200,00 tonne, 55,000 tonne and a 35,000 tonne program.
Mr. Douglas Maxwell, P.E, an author of this Technical Report, has reviewed the foregoing information and approves it. He has determined that in his professional judgement the conclusions reached are sound and approves of and confirms this information.
A zinc-silver flotation concentrate and a copper-silver flotation concentrate are currently being produced at Chilcobija and in the future will be produced at the new plant.
The zinc-silver concentrate that will be produced in the new mill to be constructed as part of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is forecast to average a concentrate grade of 56% zinc and contain 12% of the recovered silver. The amount of zinc concentrate produced each year will vary depending on the zinc head grade with an average at full production of 13,700 tonnes per annum. Zinc concentrates are currently sold under a long-term contract to Trafigura which has been used to establish the economic terms for the zinc concentrate that have been used in the economic model. Deleterious elements are forecast to be below the thresholds that require the payment of penalties.
The copper-silver concentrate that will be produced in the new mill to be constructed as part of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is forecast to contain a concentrate grade of 16% copper and to average

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2% silver. At full production, some 3,500 tonnes of concentrate will be produced per annum. Deleterious elements in the copper-silver concentrate include antimony and bismuth and the penalties for these elements are estimated to total $160 per tonne. In order to construct an economic model of the process it has been necessary to make an assumption for the copper head grade. Copper assays have not been routinely taken at San Vicente and therefore no estimate of copper grades in the mineral resource is possible. In October 2006 when it was recognized that the optimum process flowsheet would include producing a copper-silver concentrate, PAS initiated taking copper feed grade assays to the Chilcobija plant. In the seven months since then the copper grade has averaged 0.37% with a low of 0.35% and a high of 0.41%. By back calculating a copper head grade from previous smelter concentrate assays, the copper head grade has averaged 0.4%. For the purpose of modelling of the process, a copper grade of 0.3% has been assumed, however for the purposes of sizing the flotation cells, Lyntek has used a copper grade of 0.4%. As the economic analysis considers only proven and probable mineral reserves, the life of mine revenue from copper has been eliminated from the economic analysis. It is recommended however, that copper be routinely assayed for and eventually included in the resource calculation when sufficient data permits. This process should start in earnest on the construction of the assay laboratory at the new plant site.
Lyntek reviewed flow sheet and mass balance information provided by PAS and provided recommendations for the design of a new process plant. The flowsheet design for the new San Vicente Plant utilizes conventional unit operations, including primary crushing, SAG and ball milling, copper and zinc flotation circuits, thickening, filtration, and tailings disposal. Figure 1-9 provides a drawing of the plant flow diagram.
The design basis for the ore processing facility is an average of 750 dry tonnes per day (DTPD), 35 tonnes per hour, and 270,000 dry tonnes per year (DTPY at 100% utilization) on an operating basis of 360 days per year. Figure 1-10 is a general arrangement drawing showing the process facilities.
Using the results obtained from processing San Vicente ore at Chilcobija and test results from crushing, grinding and flotation tests, Lyntek has designed a plant which they report will achieve the metal recoveries shown in Table 9.
Table 9 Lyntek Recommended Metal Recoveries
                                                         
            Total % Recovery (2 and 4)
Stream   Grade Range   Ag (2)   Ag (4)   Zn (2)   Zn (4)   Cu (2)   Cu (4)
Zinc
  2.8 - 5.92%                     80 %     90 %                
                     
Silver
  444 - 458.9 g/t     85 %     88 %                                
                         
Copper
  0.2 to 0.4%                                     53 %     75 %
                         
    Recovery by Concentrate (3)
Item   Ag   Zn   Cu
Cu/Ag Concentrate
    80 %     17 %     73 %
Zn/Ag Concentrate
    12 %     78 %     16 %
Tailings
    8 %     5 %     11 %
Notes:
 
1)   The ore grades vary by sample. The Average Grade for each metal is calculated to be:
 
    Ag = 444 g/t / Zn = 3.8 % / Copper 0.38 %.
 
2)   % Recovery from PASB Feasibility Study 2005
 
3)   % Recovery from A. Vargas Test Report 2004 — Test 105
 
4)   Lyntek/Vargas projected Recovery values. Chilcobija is currently recovering 86.34% Ag.
The recoveries projected by Lyntek are a considerable improvement over that currently being achieved in the Chilcobija plant; however the data is supported by testwork and as previously stated the Chilcobija plant is in poor condition. The testwork was however geared towards the proven and probable mineral reserve average grade at the end of 2005 (2.38 million tonnes at 436 g/t Ag and 3.82% Zn). At the end of

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2006, the tonnes had increased and the grades decreased to 3.06 million tonnes at 348 g/t Ag and 3.44% Zn. This change was primarily due to the impact of higher metal price assumptions. In order to recognize this change, the recoveries used for the economic assessment used in the report were reduced to the values shown in Table 10.
Table 10 Anticipated Plant Metal Recoveries
                 
        Recoveries Used for
    Ultimate Design Recoveries   Economics in this report
Silver
    88 %     85 %
Zinc
    90 %     85 %
Copper
    75 %     70 %
19.0 MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES
The mineral resources at the San Vicente mine were estimated by a consultant to PAS, Elmer Ildefonso, under the supervision of Dr. Michael Steinmann, P. Geo. Senior Vice-President of Exploration and Geology for PAS. Following the application of mining parameters, preparation of a mine plan, and an economic analysis, the measured and indicated portions of the mineral resources were converted to proven and probable mineral reserves under the supervision of Mr. Martin Wafforn, P. Eng. PAS’s Vice-President of Mine Engineering. All mineral resources and mineral reserves quoted are estimated in accordance with accepted industry practices, are in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, and are in compliance with NI 43-101.
Block models were constructed in Datamine for the major veins 6 de Agosto, Litoral, Litoral Ramo 2, Unión, Adela, San Lorenzo, Guernica II, Cantera, Artola, San Jose and Deseada veins. These veins were previously identified as having the potential of having wider mineralization and being economically more significant. They were subsequently the focus of the exploration campaigns conducted by PASB and therefore have a more complete data set.
The Project’s database has been used for metals exploration, resource modeling, geotechnical studies, metallurgical studies, and hydrological exploration/studies. The resource models were derived from the following data sets:
    Diamond core drill hole location, orientation, and assays for both surface and underground drilling
 
    Diamond core density determinations
 
    Underground channel samples by PAS
 
    Underground channel samples by COMIBOL
The underground channel samples were entered into the database as pseudo diamond drill holes with collar co-ordinates, length, azimuth and grade. In many cases, the COMIBOL channel samples did not fully sample the entire width of the structure, focusing instead on the high-grade core of the vein. This contrasted with the samples taken by PAS, where the entire width of the vein out to its economic limits was sampled. In the major veins, the PAS sampling replaced the COMIBOL sampling, however in the minor veins it was decided to use the old COMIBOL data uncorrected. The potential impact of the COMIBOL data to the overall resource calculation (overestimating grades but underestimating tonnes and contained metal in the minor veins) is reduced each year as new channel sample data is added.
A statistical and geostatistical analysis of each vein was conducted. From this analysis, a top cut for each vein was estimated and applied as well as the search radius for resource categorization. A geometric model for each vein was constructed in Datamine that considered the intersections of drill holes and

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channel samples with the vein, the underground and surface surveys, and the geologic interpretation. The method of grade interpolation used was ordinary kriging.
The variography of the samples of each major vein has been reviewed and shows the continuity of the silver and zinc grade distribution to be greater than the current block size of 40 m along strike and 20 m along dip. The following classification scheme has been applied to the resources:
    Measured resources — 20 m up and down dip with samples on at least one level.
 
    Indicated resources — 10 m up and down dip as a continuation of the measured resource blocks. In the case of individual drill hole intercepts with no support from channel samples the indicated resource is for 20 m diameter. This is valid for all veins except Litoral R2 where variography allows 70 m along strike and 30 m up and down dip.
 
    Inferred resources — 10 m up and down dip as a continuation of the indicated resource blocks, or an additional 10 m diameter donut outside the indicated resource.
The average specific gravity for the entire deposit had been assumed to be 2.90 in previous resource calculations. Owing to the significantly different base metal grades of some of the veins, it was recognized by PASB that this SG data quality needed to be improved. In order to acquire the data necessary to make this improvement, a sampling and specific gravity measurement program was conducted in 2005. More than 3,800 samples were collected from the different structures in the mine and tested to determine their specific gravity. The results were grouped by vein in order to determine the average specific gravity for each vein that is shown in Table 11.
Table 11 Specific Gravity by Vein
         
Vein   New S.G.
6 de Agosto
    2.81  
Union
    2.91  
San Lorenzo
    2.83  
Guernica II
    2.85  
Cantera
    2.82  
Artola
    2.72  
Adela
    2.71  
San Jose
    2.64  
Litoral
    2.81  
Litoral Ramal 2
    2.81  
Deseada
    2.72  
For the end of 2006 resource calculation, dilution was added utilizing an empirical formula similar to that proposed by T. Alan O’Hara. The formula takes into account the vein width and dip angle when calculating the dilution percentage. The calculated amount of dilution decreases as a percentage as the dip and or the vein width increase. This is consistent with PAS experience in Peru in similar mining and ground conditions. Consideration was given to modifying the dilution formula to increase the amount of dilution for the Litoral Ramal 2 vein where longhole mining will be used. The co-authors reviewed the formulae proposed and concluded that for a mine with such good ground conditions the proposed formula for longhole mining resulted in an excessive amount of dilution and decided to use one formula for the entire deposit. The co-authors recommend that as mining progresses at San Vicente actual dilution measurements be taken that will allow the formula to be modified or replaced based on actual experience. The formula used for calculating dilution is as shown in Table 12.

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Table 12 Dilution Calculation
(FORMULA)
The minimum mining width at the San Vicente mine is 0.8 m, based on observations and measurements of stopes at the mine the stope miners there have demonstrated their ability to mine down to these narrow widths. After the application of O’Hara dilution, however as all of the blocks were greater than 0.8 metres wide there was no need to apply a minimum mining width restriction to the resource calculation.
As permanent ore pillars must be left for stability and safety as well as other mining losses, a mining recovery factor of 90% has been applied to each blocks tonnage while leaving the grades unchanged. The majority of these losses occur in sill, manway (rib), and crown pillars.
Following the calculation of the diluted tonnes and grade in each block, economic parameters were applied to the measured and indicated mineral resources to calculate the proven and probable mineral reserves. The measured and indicated mineral resources remaining are that portion of the overall resource that have the necessary data density and geologic confidence to be assigned to those mineral resource categories but require improvements in the economic conditions or assumptions in order to convert to mineral reserves.
The first economic parameter applied was a Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) value per tonne. This was calculated for each block by applying metal prices and using the existing and projected smelter terms to derive NSR or Value per Tonne (“VPT”) factors. The concentrates are sold under a contract with Consorcio Minero S.A. (“CORMIN”), a division of Trafigura, under a contract that runs until 2010. The factors and metal prices calculated are shown in Table 13.
Table 13 Resource Metal Prices and Factors
         
Metal   Price   Factor
Silver
  $9.00 / ounce   6.6730
Zinc
  $2,100 / tonne   8.9667
The second economic parameter was applied in the overall mine plan by considering the economic merits of each zone to ensure that small isolated blocks that do not justify development are not included in the proven and probable mineral reserves.
The third economic parameter applied was the calculation of a cut off VPT. In consideration of the estimated operating costs and metallurgical recoveries, a cut off VPT of $34 was calculated for shrinkage

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stoping and a VPT of $30 was calculated for longhole stoping. All measured mineral resource blocks with the application of the mining parameters that have a VPT higher than shown above for the respective mining methods were converted to proven mineral reserves. Similarly, all indicated mineral resource blocks that met the requirements above were converted to probable mineral reserves. As all mineral resources must have a potential to be economic, all remaining measured and indicated mineral resource blocks as well as any inferred mineral resource blocks (no inferred mineral resource blocks were converted to proven or probable mineral reserves) with a VPT of less than $17 per tonne were eliminated from the mineral resource summary.
As a final step, and in order to be conservative, the proven and probable mineral reserves were reduced by a further 5% to account for the potential losses that may occur where ore is left behind in stopes. This could be for a variety of reasons such as local poor ground conditions that cause a stope or a part of a stope to be abandoned and/or the inability to recover all of the ore on the walls or between drawpoints. The co-authors recommend that reconciliations be conducted when the mine is in full production in order to calculate the actual mining losses.
In late 2005, a national election in Bolivia resulted in the emergence of a left-wing government. This has caused some concerns amongst foreign companies doing business in Bolivia due to the government’s policy objective of nationalizing the oil and gas industries. There is no certainty the government will not take steps to implement such measures targeting the mining industry. Risks of doing business in Bolivia include being subject to higher taxes, and mining royalties, some of which have already been proposed or threatened, revision of contracts and threatened expropriation of assets, all of which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations or profitability. The co-authors conclude that PAS has taken reasonable steps to include the likely taxes that the property will be subject to in the economic model. There are no other known issues relating to environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, metallurgical, infrastructure, or other relevant factors that would materially affect the reported mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates reported in this Technical Report.
19.1. Mineral Reserves
The proven and probable mineral reserves at the San Vicente mine as of December 31, 2006 are estimated to be as follows:
Table 14 San Vicente Mineral Reserves
                                                                         
    Proven   Probable   TOTAL
Structure   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)
                                     
Stockpiles
    44,323       325       3.58                               44,323       325       3.58  
6 de Agosto
    587,248       172       3.46       72,067       114       2.34       659,315       165       3.33  
Adela
    209449       298       4.01       21,703       277       4.94       231,153       297       4.10  
Artola
    17,925       203       1.20                               17,925       203       1.20  
Cantera
    150,182       179       3.42       35,517       201       4.04       185,699       184       3.54  
Deseada
    279,080       237       6.48       52,394       268       7.04       331,474       242       6.57  
Guernica II
    136,379       665       0.93       40,321       539       1.13       176,700       636       0.97  
Litoral R2
    146,752       521       3.57       655,143       504       2.08       801,895       507       2.36  
Litoral
    116,239       410       5.42       96,846       376       2.42       213,085       394       4.05  
San Jose
    83,164       448       2.39                               83,164       448       2.39  
San Lorenzo
    43,371       395       2.79       2,386       445       2.47       45,756       398       2.77  
Union
    174,426       352       3.94       93,271       374       4.40       267,697       359       4.10  
                                                       
TOTAL
    1,988,538       304       3.85       1,069,647       430       2.66       3,058,185       348       3.44  
                                                       
Notes:
 
  1.   Total grades of silver and zinc are shown before mill recoveries of 85.0% percent for both metals are applied.
 
  2.   PAS’s share is 94.999% of the total mineral reserves.
 
  3.   San Vicente’s mineral reserves have been estimated at a minimum mineralized width of 0.8 metres and at a cut off value per tonne of $34 for shrinkage stoping and $30 for longhole stoping.
 
  4.   The geological model employed for San Vicente involves geological interpretations on sections and plans derived from core drill hole information and channel sampling.
 
  5.   Mineral reserves have been estimated using the O’Hara dilution formula, which typically adds 20% to 50% dilution at zero grade depending on dip angle and vein width.
 
  6.   Mineral reserves have been estimated using a mining recovery of 90% with a further 5% subtracted for other mining losses.

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7.   Mineral reserves were estimated based on the use of longhole stoping in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein and shrinkage stoping in all other veins. The mining and processing rate is assumed to be 750 tonnes per day on completion of the new plant.
 
8.   Mineral reserves for the principal structures are estimated with a 3 dimensional block model using datamine software. Mineral reserves for minor structures are estimated using polygonal methods on longitudinal sections.
 
9.   Mineral reserves were estimated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc.
 
10.   Environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio economic, political, marketing or other issues are not expected to materially effect the above estimate of mineral reserves.
19.2. Mineral Resources
The measured and indicated mineral resource estimates for the San Vicente mine as of December 31, 2006 are in addition to the mineral reserves and are estimated to be as follows:
Table 15 San Vicente Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
                                                                         
    Measured   Indicated   TOTAL
Structure   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)
6 de Agosto
    94,616       71       1.28       24,332       58       0.90       118,947       68       1.20  
Adela
    64851       81       0.81       4,950       86       0.58       69,801       81       0.79  
Artola
    0       0       0.00                               0       0       0.00  
Cantera
    28,015       63       1.51       10,088       83       5.28       38,103       68       2.51  
Deseada
    14,462       58       2.15       4,252       86       0.98       18,715       64       1.89  
Guernica II
                            8,875       91.49       0.17       8,875       91       0.17  
Litoral R2
                            14,229       81       0.59       14,229       81       0.59  
San Jose
    18,553       99       0.54                               18,553       99       0.54  
San Lorenzo
    1,271       55       1.53       9,747       129       0.13       11,017       121       0.29  
Union
    3,186       72       0.38       2,433       22       2.69       5,619       50       1.38  
Jesus Maria*
                            6,490       402       0.14       6,490       402       0.14  
Pepitas*
                            24,720       218       8.71       24,720       218       8.71  
Inca*
                            78,839       455       0.00       78,839       455          
Tajos*
                            62,167       369       0.00       62,167       369          
6 de Agosto split 3*
                            39,994       458       6.39       39,994       458       6.39  
6 de Agosto split 4*
                            32,400       377       4.70       32,400       377       4.70  
Guernica I *
                            11,648       340       2.27       11,648       340       2.27  
Arturo*
                            105,662       207       8.19       105,662       207       8.19  
Artola Ramo A*
                            4,419       358       3.95       4,419       358       3.95  
                                                       
TOTAL
    224,953       74       1.15       445,244       294       3.67       670,198       220       2.82  
                                                       
Notes:
  1.   PAS reports mineral resources and mineral reserves separately. Reported mineral resources do not include amounts identified as mineral reserves.
 
  2.   PAS’s share is 94.999% of the total mineral resources.
 
  3.   The geological model employed for San Vicente involves geological interpretations on sections and plans derived from core drill hole information and channel sampling.
 
  4.   Mineral resources have been estimated using the O’Hara dilution formula, which typically adds 20% to 50% dilution at zero grade depending on dip angle and vein width.
 
  5.   Mineral resources have been estimated using a mining recovery of 90%.
 
  6.   Mineral resources were estimated based on the use of longhole stoping in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein and shrinkage stoping in all other veins. The mining and processing rate is assumed to be 750 tonnes per day on completion of the new plant.
 
  7.   Mineral resources for the principal structures are estimated with a 3 dimensional block model using datamine software. Mineral resources for minor structures are estimated using polygonal methods on longitudinal sections.
 
  8.   Mineral resources were estimated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc.
 
  9.   Environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio economic, political, marketing or other issues are not expected to materially effect the above estimate of mineral resources.
 
  10.   Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
 
  11.   A cut off value per tonne of $17.00 was used for inclusion in the mineral resources.

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Table 16 San Vicente Inferred Mineral Resources
                         
    Inferred
Structure   DMT   Ag (g/t)   Zn (%)
6 de Agosto
    66,956       98       2.16  
Adela
    2108       99       0.62  
Artola
    0       0       0.00  
Cantera
    0       0       0.00  
Deseada
    49,655       255       7.28  
Guernica 2
    45,982       418       0.82  
Litoral R2
    212,729       214       1.55  
Litoral
    74,899       363       2.15  
San Jose
    0       0       0.00  
San Lorenzo
    14038       131       0.56  
Union
    64856       247       3.05  
                   
TOTAL
    531,223       243       2.34  
                   
Notes:
 
1.   PAS reports mineral resources and mineral reserves separately. Reported mineral resources do not include amounts identified as mineral reserves.
 
2.   PAS’s share is 94.999% of the total mineral resources.
 
3.   Inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether, they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.
 
4.   The geological model employed for San Vicente involves geological interpretations on sections and plans derived from core drill hole information and channel sampling.
 
5.   Mineral resources have been estimated using the O’Hara dilution formula, which typically adds 20% to 50% dilution at zero grade depending on dip angle and vein width.
 
6.   Mineral resources have been estimated using a mining recovery of 90%.
 
7.   Mineral resources were estimated based on the use of longhole stoping in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein and shrinkage stoping in all other veins. The mining and processing rate is assumed to be 750 tonnes per day on completion of the new plant.
 
8.   Mineral resources for the principal structures are estimated with a 3 dimensional block model using datamine software. Mineral resources for minor structures are estimated using polygonal methods on longitudinal sections.
 
9.   Mineral resources were estimated using a price of $9.00 per ounce of silver and $2,100 per tonne of zinc.
 
10.   Environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio economic, political, marketing or other issues are not expected to materially effect the above estimate of mineral resources.
 
11.   Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Ordinary kriging was applied in two phases, first to Pan American silver sampling data only (channels and drill holes) and later to remnant blocks containing data collected by COMIBOL. Variogram models have been obtained for each variable and for each vein which have been divided in blocks of 40 x 20 m (strike and dip). The blocks have been classified as measured, indicated or inferred based on the relative confidence of the supporting data for each evaluated block.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and therefore were not included in the economic analysis contained in this Technical Report.
20.0 OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION
No other data or information is relevant for the review of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project.
21.0 INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
In the opinion of the co-authors, the diamond drilling and channel sampling information that has been collected is of sufficient quality, density and reliability for mineral resource and mineral reserve estimation.

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The quality assurance/quality control programs are conducted under the direct supervision of Pan American’s geology staff and periodically reviewed and revised by Michael Steinmann, P.Geo.
This Technical Report details the methodology employed and demonstrates why the co-authors conclude that the expansion of the San Vicente mine is technically feasible and economically viable at the assumed metal prices (i.e. based on $9.00 per ounce silver and $2,100 per tonne zinc). It is the opinion of Martin Wafforn P. Eng., Michael Steinmann P.Geo. and Douglas Maxwell, P.E, co-authors of this Technical Report, that the data contained herein is of sufficient quality and reliability to make the conclusions stated.
The economics take into account an increase in the mining taxation rate that has been discussed by the Bolivian government but not yet implemented. The project will provide jobs and economic stimulus to an area that is economically depressed, and can be constructed in and operated in an environmentally sound manner. The project enjoys strong support from the union that represents the current employees at the mine and current indications are that the Bolivian national mining company COMIBOL and joint venture partner in the project will provide support as well. There have been some threats of nationalization of mining projects in Bolivia, however this has not occurred to date and the risk is balanced by the high projected IRR of the project and the relatively small cash outlay that is required when considering the cash benefits that will be received from on-going operations during the construction period.
The results of the metallurgical testwork as well as the previous processing of San Vicente ore at the Vetillas plant and the current processing of San Vicente ore at the Chilcobija plant give the authors a high degree of confidence that the projected metallurgical recoveries of 85% for silver and 85% for zinc will be realized.
The economic analysis calculates an Internal Rate of Return of 22% and capital payback in 2.9 years. The Net Present Value is $23.6 million at a 10% discount rate and is $14.4 million at a 15% discount rate. The undiscounted after tax cash flow is $53.8 million. PAS’s 95% share of the undiscounted after tax cash flow is estimated to be $50.9 million. The Capital Cost is estimated to total $40.5 million in 2007 and 2008. The San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is not sensitive to capital fluctuations of up to 25%.
The life of mine plan presented in this study is based solely on proven and probable mineral reserves. The life of mine plan extends until 2019. Any conversion of the mineral resources to proven and probable mineral reserves and any new exploration discoveries will add to the mine life.
The environmental license for the San Vicente mine is now in the process of being updated to reflect the proposed expansion of the mine, construction of a new processing plant, new tailings facility and associated infrastructure. PAS is committed to developing the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project by minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts in accordance with Bolivian regulations, industry best management practices and its own Environmental Policy.
22.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The co-authors recommend that the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project should proceed according to the designs and schedules contained in this Technical Report. PAS currently has sufficient cash to develop this project and does not need to arrange for project financing. The next key step will be the award of an EPCM contract for the construction of the new process plant and upgraded infrastructure. The co-authors recommend that the reserve and resource statements presented herein be adopted.
Further the co-authors recommend that the following procedures be followed to enhance further mineral resource calculations:
    Continue the program of replacing channel samples in the database that do not sample the full economic width of the deposit. The purchase of a small compressed air powered diamond drill would assist with this.
 
    Analyse all future channel and diamond drill hole samples for copper grades.
 
    When the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is complete, conduct regular reconciliations of the mineral reserves to the mill actual results. This combined with actual dilution and ore loss observations underground will allow the resource and reserve assumptions to be optimized.

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    It is recommended that additional water supply wells be drilled to ensure a more plentiful supply of water.
The agreement with COMIBOL stipulates that this construction must be completed within 18 months of approval by COMIBOL of an engineering report that was presented to them (the permission was received in July 2007).
23.0 REFERENCES
 
Report
Assessment of Borrow Sources for concrete Aggregates — Worley, Parson , Komex April 4, 2007
San Vicente Mine Site D Tailings Facility Preliminary Design — Worley, Parsons, Komex April 12, 2007
Interim Report Geotechnical Engineering Assessment of the Proposed Process Plant — Worley, Parsons, Komex January 22, 2007
Evaluation of Water Sources for the San Vicente Mine — Worley, Parsons, Komex October 31, 2006
PASB Internal Report Updating COMIBOL on Project power supply — E. Robles January, 2007
Shaft and Hoist Review and Recommendations — Dynatec Mining Corporation October 19, 2005
Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals at the San Vicente Mine conducted at TECSUP lab, Lima, Peru- A. Vargas October, 2004
Metallurgical Study of the Metallic Minerals at the San Vicente Mine conducted at Quiruvilca Mine, Peru- G. Portales September, 2005
Determination of Bond Work Index — Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, September, 2005
Numerous correspondences and reports — Estudios Mineros latest in May, 2007
Preliminary Design and Evaluation of Alternate Tailings Disposal Sites — Komex October 28, 2005
Electrical Project of San Vicente (Upgrading transmission lines and sub-stations) — Alicon SRL August 29, 2005
Upgrading existing electrical facilities — Empresa de Servicios Eléctricos
Feasibility Study Report San Vicente, Bolivia — Lyntek Inc. October, 2006
Basic Engineering Interim Report San Vicente, Bolivia — Lyntek Inc. December, 2006
24.0 DATE
The information in this report is current as of June 6, 2007.
25.0 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL REPORTS ON DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES AND PRODUCTION PROPERTIES
25.1. Underground Mine Operations
Estudios Mineros, a third party Peruvian engineering company, completed the San Vicente mine plan. Martin Wafforn, who is a co-author of this Technical Report, has reviewed and determined, in his professional judgement that the mine plan and other work performed by Estudios Mineros discussed in this section 25 is sound and that this mine plan be adopted. The plan is based on providing 750 TPD of ore to the new mill that will start up in mid 2008 and ramp up production throughout the remainder of 2008 and early 2009. Included in the plan is the provision of 105,850 tonnes in 2007 and a further 100,000 tonnes of ore to the Chilcobija mill in 2008. The planned processing of 100,000 tonnes of ore at Chilcobija in 2008 remains subject to obtaining approval under the joint venture agreement with COMIBOL. At the end of 2006 there was an ore stockpile containing 44,000 tonnes at the San Vicente mine site that is available for processing over the start up and commissioning period.

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All of the proven and probable mineral reserves totalling 3.06 million tonnes grading 348 g/t silver and 3.44% zinc are planned to be mined over a mine life that extends until 2019. The mine plan does not include any of the measured, indicated or inferred mineral resources or any possible mineral reserve additions that may occur in the future through exploration.
The plan comprises a continuation of the current shrinkage mining method for the narrow vein deposits that have been mined at San Vicente for many years. Figure 1-5 shows a longitudinal section of a typical shrinkage stope at the San Vicente mine. The wider Litoral Ramal Dos deposit that was discovered over the course of the past 4 years will be mined using a longhole mining method and mechanized equipment. Over the course of the life of mine, longhole mining is expected to account for some 26% of the production tonnage. Figure 1-6 shows a longitudinal section of the modified Avoca longhole mining method that will be used.
The existing mine was designed and built to extract steeply dipping narrow veins using conventional shrinkage stoping. Track levels are established at 30 to 40 metre intervals and include the +70, +35, 0, -30, -70, and -110 levels. For reference the 0 level is at an elevation of 4,440 m above sea level. The main accesses to the mine are via the San Jose adit at the 0 level and the San Juan Adit on the -30 level.
A vertical shaft (Pelayo shaft) extends from surface through the 0, -30, -70 and -110 levels. This shaft has 2 in-balance 1.5 tonne skips and hoists ore from the lower levels to the 0 level where the ore is trammed in rail cars to an ore dump on surface. Dynatec and Spencer Engineering have been retained to replace the existing Allis-Chalmers main production hoist with a refurbished CIR hoist. This work will include replacement of the small headframe as well as strengthening the shaft installations. Although safety was the main reason for replacing the existing hoist, the new hoist will have additional capacity and have the capability to be used in the event of a future shaft deepening program. A separate inclined shaft starts from underground at the -30 level and extends down to the -110 level. Ore hoisted up this shaft is trammed to an ore dump on surface in rail cars via the -35 level. Existing track drift dimensions are 2.4 metres by 2.3 metres restricting the size of mine cars and locomotives to 40 cubic feet and 6 tonnes respectively.
The vertical and inclined shafts will hoist all of the production from the shrinkage stopes in the plan to surface. In order to transport the longhole stoping ore to surface, it is planned to develop a ramp from surface to access the Litoral vein with the company owned conventional trackless mining equipment. The ramp will be driven at a grade of minus 12%, at a section profile of 4.5m (wide) by 4.0m (high). Total planned ramp length to the -220 level is 2.5 kilometres. The ramp will connect with the existing tracked development at the -70 and -110 levels in order to be used as part of the ventilation circuit and to provide a large amount of flexibility as an alternate route for escape and for hauling ore and waste to surface. The box cut for the ramp has now been completed and a mine contractor will start development in July 2007.
The shrinkage method that is used at San Vicente does not require backfill of the mined stopes. Broken ore is retained in the stopes to provide a platform for the miners to work off of, with the swell of the broken ore removed after each blast in a set pattern so as to avoid the development of dangerous voids within the broken rock pile. A projection of the shrinkage stoping method is shown in Figure 1-5. The ground conditions in the vein ore bodies are considered good, in fact, the co-authors have observed stopes at the San Vicente mine that have stood open for many years and remain in good condition. The San Vicente miners are experienced in shrinkage stoping and are expected to continue to do an excellent job in recovering the ore body with minimal dilution.
Shrinkage stopes are designed to be 40 m along strike with a vertical interval of either 30 m or 40 m depending on the location in the mine. Level development is all in ore except where development is done between vein systems or in waste areas of vein systems. Timber chutes for extracting the ore are constructed above the track drift. Raises are developed in ore on each side of the stope that are timbered to provide access as the stope progresses up dip. Vertical 2.0 m wide rib pillars are left between stopes and a horizontal 4.0 m thick crown pillar is typically left under the track of the level above (wide shrinkage stopes require a thicker pillar). Productivity varies greatly depending on the width of the vein being mined and the cycle of the stope (as 2/3rds of the ore is retained in the stope during the drilling and blasting phases). The operating cost for shrinkage stoping (excluding energy costs) is estimated from historical

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data to be $15.50 per tonne, an allowance of 10% has been added to this amount due to price escalations that are occurring in the industry for a total of $17.05 per tonne.
All ore production in 2007 and 2008 will be provided by shrinkage stoping, while the longhole areas are being developed and the mine works up the learning curve with the new longhole mining method.
The discovery by diamond drilling of the extension of the Litoral vein has provided a wide and high grade addition to the mines proven and probable reserve. PASB determined that a significant portion of the mineral reserve is amenable to longhole mining warranting the introduction of longhole mining methods. Longhole mining should result in a reduction in mining cost, compared to shrinkage mining, (Table 17) and will allow a higher mining recovery of the wider ore zones than could be achieved through shrinkage. The shrinkage method requires more permanent ore pillars to ensure stability of the stopes and safety of the miners.
The longhole cost per tonne of $11.34 was calculated by PAS in Vancouver using a first principles estimate. Assumptions were made for units of work such as tonnes per metre drilled, productivity, mobile equipment maintenance requirements and the cost of consumables from suppliers in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Canada. A unit cost was calculated for each of the primary activities of development, longhole drilling, longhole blasting, mucking, backfilling, and truck haulage. These estimated unit costs were consolidated with the estimates for units of work in order to arrive at a cost per tonne for longhole mining. The operating cost estimates all assume a company workforce.
Table 17 Mining Method — Cost per tonne
                         
Mining Method   Op. Cost (US$/tonne)     Escalation     Model US$/tonne  
Shrinkage
  $ 15.50       10 %   $ 17.05  
Longhole
  $ 11.34       10 %   $ 12.47  
In June 2006, PASB purchased mechanized equipment from Atlas Copco conjunctively with a maintenance service contract from the supplier. With a positive decision to proceed with the project, the only mechanized equipment remaining to be purchased are two underground trucks. All scoops were purchased with remote control packages to allow the maximum safe extraction of ore from longhole stopes. A listing of the mechanized equipment is as follows in Table 18:
Table 18 Mechanized Equipment
                                         
            Number   Cost   Total        
Equipment Type   Model/Capacity   Required   Each   Cost   Status
Scooptram — LHD
    ST-3.5G (3.5yd3 Bucket)     2     $ 375,000     $ 750,000       purchased
Scooptram — LHD
    ST-2G (2.0yd3 Bucket)     1     $ 240,000     $ 240,000       purchased
Longhole Drill (production)
    AC281       1     $ 320,000     $ 320,000       purchased
Jumbo Drill (development)
    H253 single Boom 16’     1     $ 380,000     $ 380,000       purchased
Haulage Truck
    AC2010 20-tonne capacity     2     $ 335,000     $ 670,000       included in capital
 
                          $ 2,360,000          
PASB has invested $1.69 million in mechanized equipment required to start the Litoral decline which will access the Litoral vein. The capital estimate made for the economic model in this report contains $670,000 in capital to purchase two 20 tonne underground low profile haul trucks.
A cost savings of $4.58 per tonne is estimated for longhole mining as compared to shrinkage mining. When applied to the 800,000 tonnes that are planned to be mined using longhole mining methods a $3.7 million LOM savings results. This operating cost savings combined with increased safety from a non-entry mining method and increased ore recovery justifies the capital expenditure of $2.36 million for longhole equipment. Although not included in this report or analysis there is some potential that the longhole mining equipment will have significant use beyond the current known mineral reserves.

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Initial planning considered utilizing longhole mining for all vein structures with a width of greater than 3 metres, a dip greater than 60° and a Rock Mass Rating (RMR) greater than 50. Areas of the Litoral Ramal 2, Litoral and 6 de Agosto veins met these criteria. However, in order to simplify the long-term development and planning it was decided to apply longhole techniques in the Litoral Ramal 2 vein only. Opportunities do exist for cost savings by applying longhole in portions of vein structures as the mining and mine planning progresses.
The longhole mining method selected is a modification of the Avoca method. This low cost mining method is applicable to the ore geometry at San Vicente and particularly to the good ground conditions. Figure 1-6 shows the modified Avoca method intended to be used. Sub levels are to be developed off of the planned decline at 20 vertical metre intervals and used as access for long hole drilling of the block below; backfilling of the block below with unconsolidated waste, and for mucking ore from the block above.
Levels and sub-levels will be developed off the ramp as the ramp passes the designed elevations. This will provide additional working faces to increase productivity of the trackless equipment. Levels are designed at -70, -110, -150, -195 and -220 levels. A 3.8m (wide) and 3.8m (high) haulage drift will be driven in waste in the footwall. Drawpoints will connect the haulage drift with the ore drive. The ore drive will be at a profile of 3.0m (wide) and 3.0m (high) and provide the platform for the longhole drill. Ore from the ore drives will be transported to the mill for processing and therefore are operating costs and not included in the initial capital cost estimate. Broken ore will be extracted from the stopes from the level below with remote control scooptrams.
In order to arrive at a production and development schedule, Estudios Mineros summarised all of the proven and probable mineral reserve blocks by vein and by level. The blocks were then scheduled in a systematic manner in order to meet the expected production requirements of first the Chilcobija mill and later the new mill that will be built at San Vicente. In order to confirm the scheduling logic of the plan the stopes were sequenced on level plans and colour coded by year of mining. The life of mine development requirements were identified in a similar manner. The life of mine plan is summarized in Table 19.
Table 19 Life of Mine Plan
                                                         
    2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013
Mining Shrinkage
    101,527       141,242       197,808       180,007       143,996       144,004       144,008  
Mining Longhole
                36,038       90,000       126,003       126,000       126,000  
Total Mining
    101,527       141,242       233,846       270,007       269,999       270,004       270,008  
Opening Stockpile
    44,323       40,000       29,492       88       95       94       98  
Processing Chilcobija
    105,850       100,000                                
Processing New Plant
          51,750       263,250       270,000       270,000       270,000       270,000  
Total Processing
    105,850       151,750       263,250       270,000       270,000       270,000       270,000  
Silver Grade (g/t)
    289       340       324       365       393       398       402  
Zinc Grade (%)
    3.80       3.74       3.84       3.59       3.48       3.42       3.11  
                                                 
    2014   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019
Mining Shrinkage
    144,001       144,049       223,554       270,068       238,070       139,040  
Mining Longhole
    126,000       126,000       46,449                    
Total Mining
    270,001       270,049       270,003       270,068       238,070       139,040  
Opening Stockpile
    106       107       155       158       227        
Processing Chilcobija
                                   
Processing New Plant
    270,000       270,000       270,000       270,000       238,296       139,040  
Total Processing
    270,000       270,000       270,000       270,000       238,296       139,040  
Silver Grade (g/t)
    397       385       316       283       287       251  
Zinc Grade (%)
    3.02       2.95       3.41       3.52       3.56       3.75  

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25.2. Recoverability
Mineral processing and metallurgical testing are discussed in section 18. This section 25.2 provides additional information on the recoverability of the valuable metals and the amenability of the mineralization to processing by describing the design of the process that will be used to recover the valuable metals.
For calculation of the amount of copper silver concentrate to be produced, a copper weight of 0.3% has been used as an average head grade for the San Vicente ore for the life of the mine. Chilcobija operational data indicates that there could be closer to 0.4% copper in the ore even after losses of copper to the tailings. However, in order to ensure that the economic analysis is based solely on proven and probable reserves, the value of the copper produced has been reduced to zero by setting the revenue for copper to $0. This is a very conservative method of estimation as the analysis includes smelting and refining charges for the copper content in the copper-silver concentrate. Lyntek was been directed by PASB to use an average head grade of 0.4% for copper for design purposes only, as is indicated in the Design Criteria. The flotation circuits were sized conservatively in order to account for any changes in grade of the desired mineral values in the San Vicente ore as well as any vagaries in the operating characteristics of the concentrator.
Process Design Criteria
Comminution Circuit: The purpose of the Comminution Circuit is to crush/grind the ore to the desired particle size in order to obtain optimum flotation and recovery of the desired mineral values in the downstream Flotation Circuits.
The use of either a SAG Mill/Ball arrangement as well as a Two-Stage Crushing/Ball Mill arrangement to perform the comminution of the San Vicente ore was investigated. It was found that the two stage crushing circuit would have required a third stage crushing plant, hence the decision was made to proceed on the basis of a SAG Mill/Ball Mill arrangement.
The circuit will utilize a 800 mm x 550 mm Primary Jaw Crusher and a 14’ x 5’ SAG Mill, which produces as system discharge of F100 = 10 mesh particles as feed to a 9’ x 14’ Ball Mill that is equipped with a 500 Hp motor.
Lyntek used a design tonnage of 35 metric tonnes per hour (MTPH), a Bond Work Index = 11.54 KwHrs/Tonne, and the desired P80 = 105 microns Ball Mill discharge to the flotation circuit and contracted two prominent equipment vendors (Metso Minerals and Outokumpu) to provide a recommended size for the SAG Mill/Ball Mill circuit for this project. Both vendors recommended the size for the SAG Mill to be 14’ Diameter x 5’ long and the size for the Ball Mill to be 9’ diameter x 14’ long. This recommendation has been reviewed and confirmed by Mr. Douglas Maxwell. Both the SAG Mill and Ball Mill will be equipped with 500 Hp drives. A flow of 35 MTPH is equivalent to a capacity of 756 metric tonnes per day (MTPD) at a concentrator availability of 90%.
Outokumpu (now Outotec Technologies) was asked to conduct a milling analysis for a 9’ Diameter x 12’ Long Ball Mill that was being considered rather than the previously selected 9’ diameter x 14’ ball mill given the Bond Work Index = 11.54 KwHrs/Tonne and the desired discharge particle size of P80 = 105 microns. Outokumpu determined that the 9’ diameter x 12’ long ball mill would be capable of only processing 32 MTPH rather than the desired 35 MTPH and so this option was rejected.
A Regrind Mill was not included into the comminution circuit as Lyntek estimated that the Primary 9’ x 14’ Ball Mill will be able to produce a particle size of P80 = 74 microns. This will also result in 62% of the particles being -53 microns and approximately 55% of the particles being -37 microns. This particle distribution data is contained in the “Determination of Work Index” Report of September 2005. This particle sizing would release the majority of the locked Zn particles so that the Cu/Ag flotation concentrate will now have less Zn and be much cleaner and would not report to a regrind circuit; thus a Regrind Mill is not required.
Flotation Circuits: The purpose of the Flotation Circuits is to separate the economic metals from the waste rock and to separate the metals into saleable concentrates.

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Lyntek has relied upon the information and data in the following test reports in order to develop the proposed flowsheet: (a) Alfredo Vargas’ 2004 Test Report, Test No. 105; (b) Guillermo Portales’ 2005 Test Report; and (c) Chilcobija Concentrator Operating Data when processing the San Vicente ore. The Material Balance for the proposed flowsheet is based upon the laboratory test data from both A. Vargas’ test report and G. Portales’ test report as well as Lyntek’s experience in designing similar mineral processing concentrators. The flotation circuit design and selection of individual flotation cell volume is based upon the laboratory test data from both A. Vargas’ test report, G. Portales’ test report and a review of the Chilcobija operating data when processing the San Vicente ore. Mr. Douglas Maxwell has reviewed these reports and using his professional judgement has determined them to be sound and agrees with the adoption of the results. The flotation circuit design and flotation cell selection is also based upon Lyntek’s professional assessment of the flotation requirements to process the San Vicente ore. The flotation circuits have been sized conservatively in order to provide for upsets and increased flow from the upstream Comminution Circuit.
The flotation circuits have also been designed to provide for ease of operation by plant personnel. Additionally, the flotation cells have been selected to be as maintenance-free as possible while also providing for optimum metallurgical performance and equipment service and wear life. Both the flotation circuit design and equipment selection incorporate many years of flotation experience and knowledge as well as many years of concentrator trouble-shooting experience.
A single “Flash Float” or “Pre-Float” was included in order to take advantage of the natural flotation of desired values contained in the San Vicente ore. This initial flotation process should improve the overall recovery of these desired values while also decreasing the use of reagents to process the ore.
The flotation circuit design will include the following flotation circuits:
  1.   “Flash Float” or “Pre-Float” Circuit;
 
  2.   Bulk Cu/Ag Flotation Circuit; and
 
  3.   Bulk Zn/Ag Flotation Circuit.
The “Flash Float” or “Pre-Float” Flotation Circuit will be one single conventional Flash Flotation cell The Flash Flotation concentrate will report directly to the Cu/Ag concentrate thickener and the Flash Flotation tailings will report to the conditioner for the Bulk Cu/Ag Rougher Flotation Circuit.
The Bulk Cu/Ag Flotation Circuit will consist of the following flotation stages:
  1.   Cu/Ag Rougher Flotation using conventional flotation cells;
 
  2.   Cu/Ag Scavenger Flotation using conventional flotation cells;
 
  3.   Cu/Ag 1st Cleaner Flotation using conventional flotation cells; and
 
  4.   Cu/Ag 2nd Cleaner Flotation using conventional flotation cells.
The Cu/Ag Rougher flotation concentrate will report to the 1st Cleaner Flotation, the 1st Cleaner flotation concentrate will report to the 2nd Cleaner Flotation and the 2nd Cleaner flotation concentrate will report to the Cu/Ag concentrate thickener. The Scavenger Flotation concentrate will report back to the Ball Mill feed and the Scavenger Flotation tailings will report to the Zn/Ag conditioner for the Bulk Zn/Ag Rougher Flotation Circuit.
The Bulk Zn/Ag Flotation Circuit will consist of the following flotation stages:
  1.   Zn/Ag Rougher Flotation using conventional flotation cells;
 
  2.   Zn/Ag Scavenger Flotation using conventional flotation cells;
 
  3.   Zn/Ag 1st Cleaner Flotation using conventional flotation cells;
 
  4.   Zn/Ag 2nd Cleaner Flotation using conventional flotation cells; and
 
  5.   Zn/Ag 3rd Cleaner Flotation using conventional flotation cells.

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The Zn/Ag Rougher Flotation concentrate will report to the 1st Cleaner Flotation, the 1st Cleaner flotation concentrate will report to the 2nd Cleaner Flotation, the 2nd Cleaner flotation concentrate will report to the 3rd Cleaner Flotation, and the 3rd Cleaner Flotation concentrate will report to the Zn/Ag concentrate thickener. The Scavenger Flotation concentrate will report to the feed to the Zn/Ag Rougher Flotation and the Scavenger Flotation tailings will report to the Tailings thickener.
The same size flotation cells (300 cubic feet (8.5 cubic metres) and 24 cubic feet (0.68 cubic metres)) were selected in both the Cu/Ag and Zn/Ag flotation circuits in order to have a commonality of flotation cell sizes for operating personnel to understand the operating and maintenance characteristics as well as to have a commonality of spare parts for both maintenance and inventory purposes at San Vicente.
All flotation conditioners have been sized at 10’ Diameter x 10’ Deep (3m x 3m) in order to provide for a minimum of 10 minutes of conditioning time for the particles within the slurry. Each conditioner will also provide for high-intensity conditioning of the slurry particles in the slurry with the reagents via a two- propeller mechanism to assure that the mineral particles are coated with the reagents. Each conditioner tank will be designed with an “up-comer” (vertical trough) outlet in order to prevent short-circuiting of the conditioning reagents as well as to assure the conditioning of the mineral particles. The “up-comer” will rise about 5 inches above the slurry surface within the conditioner and extend downward into the conditioning tank to about one foot above the tank bottom so that all conditioned slurry within the tank will be forced to exit from the bottom of the conditioner.
Thickeners and Filtration circuits: The purpose of the Thickeners and the Filtration circuits are to provide solid — liquid separation in order to provide target moisture contents for saleable concentrates and for pumping tailings to the tailings storage facility.
The information provided in the Alfredo Vargas’ 2004 Test Report was relied upon to size both the thickeners and the filters. When test data was missing, Lyntek relied upon professional in-house experience as well as Vendor personnel experience in order to size and select the proper equipment. Both the thickeners and the filters have been sized conservatively in order to provide for optimum dewatering performance as well as to allow for ease of maintenance and equipment longevity.
High-rate thickeners have been selected for use at San Vicente in order to minimize the diameter of the thickener tanks that are required for the process. This also decreases the ground area required outside the plant building for locating the concentrate thickeners. The Cu/Ag and Zn/Ag concentrate thickeners have both been specified to be 20 ft. in diameter. The tailings thickener that will be located on the outside of the building has been specified to be 50 ft. in diameter. All thickeners have been sized conservatively in order to account for any upstream upsets as well as any increase in mineral values within the ore body.
Membrane filter presses have been selected for use in the San Vicente concentrator to allow for adequate dewatering at high altitude. Two filter presses will be installed; one for the Cu/Ag concentrate and the other for the Zn/Ag concentrate. At average mine head grades, approximately 40 tonnes per day of Zn/Ag concentrate and approximately 10 tonnes per day of the Cu/Ag concentrate will be produced.
Process Water and Reagents: Process water and reagents are required for the operation of the circuits within the process plant.
Refer to Table 5 and Section 7.0 Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography for a complete description of the proposed water sources and the water requirement for the San Vicente concentrator.
Reagents used in the concentrator will be a combination of frothers, collectors, depressants, pH adjusters(lime) and flocculants.
General Plant Design Philosophy
It was agreed during several meetings between Lyntek, PAS and PASB that a simple process design with a limited amount of instrumentation would best suit the location of the concentrator as well as the fit with the basic design philosophy. This simplified design philosophy has been utilized by Lyntek throughout the design process for the San Vicente concentrator.

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Automation within the plant will be kept to a minimum in order to maintain a simple yet efficient plant. An automated belt scale and feeder will control the ore feed rate to the concentrator and automated samplers will be installed in the various circuits within the concentrator to obtain samples of the plant feed, concentrates and tailings. At this time, it is not considered necessary to fully instrument the plant. All pumps and cyclones will be equipped with pressure gauges for local display to be viewed by the operators. A PLC room has been incorporated into the building design for the instrumentation that will initially be installed as well as for use in the future for continued upgrading of the plant if more automation is justified.
25.3. Markets
Prices for the metals that San Vicente produces have been robust for the last three years, after several years of prolonged weakness. Factors contributing to the recovery in metal prices include demand resulting from strong industrial growth in China, weakness in the US dollar and supply concerns due to under-investment in new production capacity. PAS anticipates that these factors will continue to support prices during 2007 and that the long-term fundamentals for metal prices are positive.
The metal prices used in the mineral reserve calculations and the life of mine plan are considerably lower than the current market prices. Higher metal price assumptions in a range between the mineral reserve prices and the current market prices would positively affect the cash flow in the life of mine plan, but an increase to the mineral reserves would not be significant.
Contracts for the sale of concentrates from the San Vicente mine and from the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project are currently in place. The sale of metal concentrates to smelting companies and metal traders is a common practice in Bolivia and there is an active and competitive market for the concentrates that is expected to continue. PASB with the assistance of PAS intend to negotiate the sale of future concentrates directly with metal trading or smelting companies and do not intend to use agents to assist with this.
25.4. Revenues
The San Vicente mine will produce a zinc-silver and a copper-silver concentrate. Contracts are currently in place for these concentrates until the end of 2010. The concentrates are being sold under an agreement with Trafigura and their trading company Cormin. Both the zinc-silver and the copper-silver concentrates are taken by truck and rail to the port of Antofagasta in Chile for shipment. The smelter terms and conditions used in the economic model are assumed to be the same as those that are currently in place. Although San Vicente has historically received revenues from copper, as there is insufficient data to estimate the copper grade of the mineral reserves or mineral resources, the assumption in the economic analysis is that copper revenue will be zero. The model is not sensitive to reasonable changes in concentrate smelting charges. The assumptions for smelting the concentrates are considered by the co-authors to be reasonable and within industry norms.
25.5. Environmental Considerations
The environmental license for the San Vicente mine is now in the process of being updated to reflect the proposed expansion of the mine, construction of a new processing plant, new tailings facility and associated infrastructure.
The existing license only contemplated the operation of the mine where the ore was processed off site by EMUSA at the Chilcobija plant under a toll milling contract. The existing environmental license also included the provision for all tailings produced from the processing of San Vicente ores at the Chilcobija plant to be permanently stored at a tailings facility near the plant. The responsibility for the design, operation and permitting of this tailings facility was part of the responsibilities of EMUSA under the terms of the toll milling contract.
PASB contracted the Bolivian consulting firm of Minco to carry out an environmental baseline study, ALBA, (as they are know for the acronym in Spanish) in 2001. Between 2001 and the present, this

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baseline information has been complemented with semi-annual monitoring of air, soil and water quality parameters at various monitoring locations in the vicinity of the San Vicente mine. This existing information will be further complemented by a further round of sampling to establish the baseline conditions for the proposed expansion of the San Vicente mine.
Minco is currently in the stage of preparing the Environmental Impact Study, EEIA, as it is known under Bolivian legislation, for submittal to Bolivian environmental authorities. The main incremental impacts resulting from the proposed expansion of the mine are related to:
    Construction of a new tailings facility in a tributary to the San Vicente River, downstream of the mine;
 
    Construction of a new processing plant on the south side of the San Vicente river valley between the proposed location of the tailings facility and mine;
 
    Increased groundwater use in the new plant; and
 
    Wasterock storage from mine development.
PAS is committed to developing the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project by minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts in accordance with Bolivian regulations, industry best management practices and its own Environmental Policy.
A closure cost estimate was conducted by the PAS environmental department at the end of 2005, the remediation and reclamation cost estimate for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project is shown in Table 20. There is no requirement to post a bond for a portion of the estimated costs.
The unit costs used in the estimate were based on experience gained at other mining projects and are generally accepted in the mining industry. For the economic assessment of the San Vicente mine presented in this report, PAS has escalated the closure cost estimate by 10%. The assumptions used in the preparation of the closure cost estimate are as follows:
    Final closure requirements will be optimized and updated as the operation proceeds.
 
    Cyanide destruct will not be required to treat tailings pond solution (although the San Vicente process plant will utilize a flotation process and not a cyanide process, there will be a small amount of cyanide used as a reagent in the flotation process).
 
    The tailings pond area will be capped with approximately one (1) metre of soil material and revegetated to limit infiltration during precipitation events.
 
    The mill area as well as other infrastructure will be reclaimed by removing all equipment, removing/demolishing all buildings and foundations, grading, and revegetating.
 
    When possible waste dumps will be stabilized to a 2/1 slope and revegetated.
 
    Underground adits/portals/etc. will be bulk headed for hazard abatement.
 
    Drainage from the underground will not require active treatment. Instead a passive system will be utilized.

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Table 20 San Vicente Closure Cost Estimate
                     
                Cost Estimate  
Area   Hectares   Acres   Cost Basis   (USD)  
Tailings Area
  15   33.9   Based on $10K/acre. Includes placement of cover, recontouring, and revegetation.   $ 339,000  
Waste Dump
  5   11.3   Based on $2.7K/acre. Includes stabilization, recontouring and revegetation   $ 30,510  
Underground
  N/A   N/A   Three adits/3 vent raises @ $25K/adit or shaft.   $ 200,000  
Decommissioning
  N/A   N/A   Approximately $.25/dollar of the capital amount ($5,000,000)   $ 1,250,000  
Roads
                   
Mine
  10   22.6   Based on $1.5K/acre.   $ 33,900  
Access
  10   22.6   Based on $1.5K/acre.   $ 33,900  
Post Closure Monitoring
                   
Surface and Ground Water
  N/A   N/A   Monitoring (sampling/analysis) on a bi-annual basis for three (3) years. ($20K/year)   $ 60,000  
Tailings Area
  N/A   N/A   Monitoring (sampling/analysis) on a quarterly basis for three (3) years. ($20K/year)   $ 60,000  
                   
Sub Total (Direct)
              $ 2,007,310  
                   
Add Ons
                   
Engineering (15%)
          Approximately 15% of Direct Costs   $ 301,097  
Administration (15%)
          Approximately 15% of Direct Costs   $ 301,097  
Contingency (15%)
          Approximately 15% of Direct Costs   $ 301,097  
                   
Sub Total
              $ 903,290  
                   
TOTAL CLOSURE COSTS
              $ 2,910,600  
                   
 
          Add Escalation to 2007   $ 3,210,000  
                   
A salvage value for the equipment at the mine and new process plant has been estimated to be $2,500,000 based on the value of the mobile and plant equipment that will be at the mine. In the economic analysis, the closure costs are expended in 2019 and 2020, while the salvage value is realized in 2020.
25.6. Exploration Expenditures
The mine plan and economic model presented in this report are based on proven and probable mineral reserves only. The exploration expenditures on these mineral reserves have already been made. As no mineral resources or other potential have been included in the plan and no accounting has been made of their value, no exploration expenditures have been included in the economic analysis.
25.7. Taxes
The following is a summary of the Bolivian taxes used in the San Vicente feasibility study economic model. Due to the fact that the current Bolivian government has been proposing substantial changes to the current tax laws, the latest proposed changes to the tax law have been incorporated in the economic model.

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Mining Royalty (used in economic model)
  1.   The new mining royalty has rates similar to the current ICM tax (between 1 and 6%)
 
  2.   The royalty is applied to gross metal value (before smelting and refining charges) and rates based on sliding scale to metal prices
  a.   Silver — Minimum 3% / Maximum 6%
 
  b.   Zinc — Minimum 1% / Maximum 6%
 
  c.   Copper — Minimum 1% / Maximum 6%
 
  At PAS mineral reserve prices, the royalties are at the maximum rate of 6%
  3.   The royalty can be credited against income tax
 
  4.   The royalty is not income tax deductible
Corporate Tax (used in economic model)
  1.   The corporate tax rate on taxable income is 25%
Additional Profit Tax (used in economic model)
  1.   This is a new tax that has been referred to as ICM (complementary tax) and IUM.
 
  2.   All mining companies, except for cooperatives, will be subject to the new tax
 
  3.   The new tax will be based on annual profit after income tax
 
  4.   Exploration expenses are allowed to be deducted twice
 
  5.   Tax rate is 12.5%
Value Added Taxes (VAT) (used in economic model)
  1.   Equipment purchased for the project has an effective VAT rate of 14.94%
 
  2.   Because PASB is domiciled in the Province of Potosi, it is expected that it will be exempt from paying VAT for a portion of the equipment purchased.
In order to allow a comparison, the following is a summary of the current tax legislation in Bolivia:
Complimentary Mining Tax (ICM) (current)
The complimentary mining tax is applied to gross metal value (before smelting and refining charges) and the rates based on sliding scale to metal prices.
  a.   Silver — Minimum 3% / Maximum 6%
 
  b.   Zinc — Minimum 1% / Maximum 6%
 
  c.   Copper — Minimum 1% / Maximum 6%
The complimentary mining tax can be credited against income tax. The complimentary mining tax is not income tax deductible.
Corporate Tax
The corporate tax rate on taxable income is 25%.
Value Added Taxes (VAT)
Equipment purchased for the project has an effective VAT rate of 14.94%.
Due to the fact that PASB is domiciled in the Province of Potosi, it is expected that it will be exempt from paying VAT for a portion of the equipment purchased.

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25.8. Capital and Operating Costs
Capital Cost Estimate
Capital costs were calculated in the 3rd quarter of 2006. These costs have been escalated by 7.5% for the costs that will be incurred in 2007, 15% for the costs in 2008 and 22.5% for the costs that will be incurred in 2009. Much of the major mining equipment required has already been purchased and the majority of it is at the San Vicente mine working on starting the new ramp access to the Litoral vein. As these expenditures have already been made, they have not been considered in the cash flow analysis other than from the perspective of being on the books for depreciation purposes. The capital expenditures that are included in the economic analysis are shown in Table 21. The economic analysis that was used to confirm the economic viability of the proven and probable mineral reserves that are detailed in this report is summarized in Table 23.
Capital expenditures in 2007 and 2008 are expected to total $40.5 million. The new processing plant is expected to start operating in 2008 and ramp up production to near to its full capacity of 750 TPD by the end of 2008. Further capital expenditures for items required to sustain production such as raises to the tailings storage dam are projected to cost a further $2.5 million in 2009 and a further $8.5 million from 2010 to the end of the mine life in 2019.

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Table 21 Capital Cost Estimate Summary
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2010 to LOM  
Mining
                               
Mining Equipment for Trackless Development & Longhole
  $ 111     $ 64                  
Mining Equipment for Track Development & Shrinkage
  $ 177     $ 54     $ 59          
Hoisting & Tramming
  $ 408     $ 8                  
Haulage Fleet
  $ 335     $ 510                  
Service Fleet
  $ 337     $ 172                  
Ore Reserves / Geology
                               
Underground Electrical Distribution
  $ 384     $ 46                  
Mine Rescue Equipment
                               
Sustaining Equipment and Capital
                  $ 200     $ 1,900  
Enginering / Geology
                               
Sub — Total Mine Equipment
  $ 1,751     $ 854     $ 259     $ 1,900  
 
Existing Mine
                               
Rebuild Rail Car Dump on 0 Level
  $ 14                          
Rebuild Rail Car Dump on -35 Level
  $ 14                          
Alimak Ventilation Raise For Shrinkage Stoping
  $ 120                          
Deepen Vertical Shaft to -150 Level
                          $ 380  
Shaft Station and Ore Dumps on -150 Level
                          $ 50  
Shaft Loading Pockets on -150 Level
                          $ 100  
Ventilation Raise -150 to -110 Level
                          $ 32  
Litoral Access
                               
Develop Litoral Ramp
  $ 1,200     $ 820                  
Develop Sub Level Lateral Access
  $ 263     $ 788     $ 788     $ 265  
Alimak Ventilation Raise For Longhole Stoping
          $ 176     $ 176     $ 176  
Alimak Waste Backfill Raise For Longhole Stoping
                  $ 264          
Sustaining Equipment and Capital
                  $ 150     $ 1,425  
Sub — Total Mine
  $ 1,611     $ 1,784     $ 1,378     $ 2,428  
 
750tpd SAG Mill Ore Porcessing Plant
                               
Total Area 10 - Primary Crushing to SAG Mill
  $ 1,385     $ 154                  
Total Area 20 - Grinding & Classification, SAG and Ball Mills
  $ 1,537     $ 171                  
Total Area 30 - Flotation & Cleaner Silver, Copper, & Lead
  $ 1,376     $ 153                  
Total Area 40 - Flotation and Cleaner, Zinc
  $ 1,072     $ 119                  
Total Area 50 - Tailings Thickening
  $ 238     $ 26                  
Total Area 70 - Water Treatment and Supply
  $ 114     $ 13                  
Total Area 100 - Reagents
  $ 175     $ 19                  
Total Area 145 - Mill Electrical System
  $ 757     $ 252                  
Total Area 160 - Plant/Mine Water and Plant Air
  $ 16     $ 2                  
Total Area 170 - Standby Power
          $ 450                  
Total Area 180 - Piping and Steel
  $ 680     $ 227                  
Total Area 200 - Flotation Plant Building, HVAC
  $ 550     $ 550                  
Total Area 700 - Tailings and Reclaim
  $ 843     $ 94             $ 1,431  
Total Area 800 - Infrastructure & Gen. Site Serv.
  $ 1,154                          
Total Area 810 - Main Access Roads Const.
  $ 350     $ 150                  
Total Area 825 - Water Supply, Plant & Domestic
  $ 1,900     $ 211                  
Total Area 900 - Power Supply
  $ 2,300                          
Total Area 925 - Freight and Insurance
  $ 828     $ 276                  
Mobilization
  $ 40     $ 0                  
Construction Power
  $ 173     $ 173                  
Improvement to Housing for Permanent Plant Workers
  $ 150                          
Camp and Transportation Costs
  $ 505     $ 337                  
EPCM @ 20%
  $ 1,694     $ 726                  
Lyntek Pre-EPCM Engineering
  $ 100                          
Detailed Engineering EPCM
  $ 630                          
Komex Pre-EPCM Engineering
  $ 72                          
Tailings Dam EPCM Phases I, II
  $ 282                          
Owner’s Project Admin Costs 2006, 2007, & 2008
  $ 890     $ 357                  
Construction Insurance
  $ 60     $ 40                  
Commissioning and Spares
  $ 70     $ 209                  
Working Capital
  $ 196     $ 589                  
First Fills
  $ 145     $ 434                  
Startup Labor
          $ 148                  
ADR Enviromental costs
                               
Sustaining Equipment and Capital
                  $ 150     $ 1,425  
Sub — Total Mill, Tailings Dam, Water, Electricity
  $ 20,280     $ 5,881     $ 150     $ 2,856  
 
Community Sustainability and Infrastructure
                               
Fixing of Existing Prefabricated Housing
  $ 84     $ 0             $ 60  
School Repair and Expansion
  $ 50     $ 10             $ 30  
Cooperative Technical Assistance
  $ 20     $ 10     $ 10     $ 60  
Sanitary and Drainage
  $ 100     $ 15             $ 30  
Repair of Theather and Union Facilities
  $ 40     $ 10             $ 15  
Small Fabrics and Tourist Study for Community
  $ 51     $ 15     $ 15     $ 45  
Sub -Total Community Sustainability and Infrastructure
  $ 345     $ 60     $ 25     $ 240  
 
Subtotal — Capital
  $ 23,987     $ 8,578     $ 1,811     $ 7,424  
Contingency 15%
  $ 3,598     $ 1,287     $ 272     $ 1,114  
Cost Escalation
  $ 1,799     $ 1,287     $ 407          
                         
TOTAL CAPEX
  $ 29,384     $ 11,152     $ 2,490     $ 8,538  
                         

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The capital cost estimate for the processing plant was been generated by Lyntek based on a detailed equipment list, flow sheets, electrical one-line drawings, and plant general arrangement drawings. Mr. Douglas Maxwell, one of the authors of this Technical Report, has reviewed this information and determined that in his professional judgement these estimates are sound and approves of these estimates.
A design criteria document was developed from the metallurgical information provided to Lyntek by PASB. The design criteria were used to specify and size the equipment required for the concentrator circuitry and subsequently to submit requests for quotations to a minimum of two vendors for equipment.
Capital equipment costs were estimated from formal quotations obtained from vendors and pricing information obtained from recent similar Lyntek projects. When vendor quotes were exclusive of taxes, freight, import duties, or other fees, the appropriate cost was estimated and added by PASB.
DIRECT PLANT COST DETAIL
When possible, equipment vendors from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru were selected, to minimize delivery times. Lyntek also received equipment quotations from vendors who had been contacted by PASB. These quotations were utilized as much as possible to take advantage of work already done by in-house personnel. Other local and out of country vendors quotations were incorporated into the capital cost estimate as appropriate.
This capital cost estimate does not include contingency factors applied to the individual quoted items or areas. An over-all contingency factor of 15% has been applied to the final total capital cost, in addition, capital cost escalation factors of 7.5% for expenditures in 2007, 15% for expenditures that are projected to be incurred in 2008 and 22.5% for capital expenditures that will be incurred in 2009 have been added to the totals.
Capital equipment costs used for estimating the transportation and capital spares is the sum of the Crusher area, mill/flotation area, system piping, structural steel and the building, equipment costs only.
The installation and construction costs that are associated with Crushing/Grinding have been developed from Bolivian contractor pricing, Lyntek’s recent experience on similar projects in Bolivia and from Lyntek’s cost database. Bolivian pricing for civil/site work, concrete and some man-hours associated with placement of the equipment have been provided by PASB and area contractors. The installation cost estimate utilizes contracted labour for installation of specialized and heavy equipment, construction of the process building, heavy structural steel/plate work, and installation of electrical and instrumentation wiring. Equipment rentals for cranes and heavy equipment not currently owned by PASB have been included at current Bolivian rental rates. Small tools with values of less than $1,000 will be purchased directly by PASB.
Lyntek has developed a “built-up” construction labour rate of $11.70 per man-hour that includes base rate, burden, subsistence, safety, management and supervision, craft support (labourers), warehousing, fuel/oil/maintenance and overtime.
The costs associated with installation of the equipment in the concentrator are based upon Lyntek’s experience with other plant equipment installations and whenever possible, equipment installation estimates that were obtained from equipment vendors.
The estimated costs for installation of the electrical system and the Motor Control Center (MCC) are based upon the electrical one-line drawings, from vendor quotes.
A diesel generator, quoted at $450,000 is included in standby power.
The estimated costs for installation of the system piping are based upon a bulk piping material estimate from Lyntek General Arrangement Drawing No. 06023 G-01 (Figure 1-10) and the associated flow diagrams. Material and piping costs were obtained from the Komex reports and from current material costs. The labour hours that are required are an estimate based upon Lyntek’s past installation

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experience. This section of the estimate is for the flotation plant, tailings line, and water reclaim line only. All water system costs are covered in the plant major equipment capital estimate.
The estimated costs for installation of the structural steel in the concentrator are based upon a bulk materials estimate obtained from the same Figure 1-10 and the associated sections. Steel costs of $ 0.63/lb. were used and the labour hours that are required are an estimate based upon Lyntek’s past installation experience.
Lyntek developed basic architectural drawings of the concentrator building and forwarded these drawings to PASB personnel who obtained local vendor quotations. Lyntek also developed costs for pre-engineered buildings from past experience for comparison purposes. It is assumed that the concentrator building will be supplied and constructed by a local Bolivian contractor; therefore, no freight costs that would be associated with the building have been included in the capital cost estimate. The building required is approximately 73.2m long x 19.1m wide x 15.5 m high. In addition to the main building, a 73.2m long x 6m wide x 4m high lean-to will be added that will house the laboratory, MCC room, PLC room, administration offices, and maintenance shop with a storage area.
The calculated installed costs for the concentrator building are estimated to be $1,055/ m2 for the entire structure. An allowance of $80,000 has been estimated for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) of the building. This estimate is based upon HVAC for a similar size pre-engineered building.
The main road connecting the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project to Uyuni must be upgraded to provide access for heavy equipment and machinery. PASB will fund the 30 kilometres from the mine towards Uyuni; the Government is upgrading the road from Uyuni towards the mine. Funding of $500,000 for the PASB portion has been included for this work which is scheduled to be performed in 2007 and 2008.
Lyntek has contacted Transera, a freight forwarding company, and together the two companies have developed a freight estimate based on prior project experience and recent in-country experience by Transera. Freight costs for transporting the major equipment to the plant site have been developed based upon the capital equipment costs. It has been assumed that all of the equipment will require export packaging. Only a small portion of the equipment has been sourced from North America. The ball and SAG mills have been sourced from Europe or Brazil. All items not manufactured in Bolivia are anticipated to be delivered via Ocean freight and will be shipped to the Port of Antofagasta, Chile. The equipment vendor pricing for all equipment is FOB factory. The equipment sources are from Chile, Peru, Brazil and North America. No contingency has been applied to the estimate. The calculated value does not include VAT, duty or other taxes. The total estimated transport costs have been calculated to be $1,104,088.
The only equipment items that are deemed useable from the existing Vetillas mill are the lime regrind mill and the associated feed conveyor. These two items have been included in the capital equipment list; however, no costs have been assigned to these items as items in Vetillas are included for use under the joint venture. An estimate of the hours required and associated costs, to remove and install this equipment has been included in the capital cost estimate.
INDIRECT PLANT COST DETAIL
Mobilization and demobilization have been included in the hourly rates used in the capital cost estimate and are therefore included in the estimates for each area. The exception to this is a line item of $40,000 for the mobilization and demobilization of a crane, from a local contractor.
Allocated power costs to the project were based on power demand calculated by Lyntek, using recent power costs.
Upgrading the existing bunkhouses in Vetillas is underway. Further housing will be required for construction and operational personnel. Costs associated with room and board of the construction workers and bussing costs from Vetillas to San Vicente.
Spares include one set of liners each for the SAG mill, ball mill, and primary jaw crusher. Spares also include conveyor belting, flotation cell, disc filter, and conveyor components, and oil and lubricants. A total of $278,899 is budgeted for spares.

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Due to the remote location of San Vicente, a three month supply of reagents, grinding media, lubricants and gasoline is included with first fills.
OPERATING COST ESTIMATE
Historic actual costs were used for the operating cost estimates for shrinkage stoping and operating the mine infrastructure at San Vicente. PAS in Vancouver developed an operating cost estimate for longhole stoping. This estimate was a first principles estimate based on assumptions made for units of work such as tonnes per metre drilled, productivity, mobile equipment maintenance requirements and the cost of consumables from suppliers in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Canada. A unit cost was calculated for each of the primary activities of development, longhole drilling, longhole blasting, mucking, backfilling, and truck haulage. These estimated unit costs were consolidated with the estimates for units of work in order to arrive at a cost per tonne for longhole mining. The operating cost estimate was later reviewed and confirmed by Estudios Mineros del Perú. Mr. Wafforn has reviewed these estimates and determined in his professional judgement that these estimates are sound and approves of these estimates.
The operating cost estimate for the process plant was developed by Lyntek and various infrastructure costs were estimated by PASB. Labour unit rates and consumable costs for the region are provided by PASB who has access to the operating costs at the Chilcobija plant where the San Vicente ore will be processed while the construction of the new plant is in progress. Other sources for costs include estimates provided by equipment suppliers, contractors, consultants and engineering standard cost estimating guides.
Labour rates have been derived from existing rates paid to San Vicente employees, in 2006, and costs based on Bolivian national averages. Social burdens reflect current legal requirements.
The operating cost estimates exclude any consideration for inflation. The estimates were calculated using 3rd quarter 2006 US dollars and a flat Bolivian Boliviano to US dollar exchange rate of 8.08:1 for the life of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project. In order to reflect the cost escalations in the industry, all of the operating costs were subsequently escalated by 10%.
The average unit operating costs are summarized in Table 22.
Table 22 Life-of-Mine Unit Operating Costs
                                         
            2007   2008   2009   2010 to LOM
Costs
                                       
Mining Costs
  $/ DMT   $ 20.35     $ 16.99     $ 16.38     $ 15.75  
Mill costs
  $/ DMT   $ 13.97     $ 16.18     $ 13.64     $ 13.64  
Transport Mine-Chilcobija
  $/ DMT   $ 4.95     $ 3.36     $ 0.28     $ 0.28  
Shipping and Selling
  $/ DMT   $ 5.05     $ 5.15     $ 5.34     $ 4.82  
Administration Costs (office)
  $/ DMT   $ 4.79     $ 5.07     $ 3.55     $ 3.84  
Administration San Vicente
  $/ DMT   $ 2.59     $ 4.35     $ 3.05     $ 3.29  
Insurance and legal
  $/ DMT   $ 3.30     $ 4.40     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
Security & Enviromental
  $/ DMT   $ 0.55     $ 0.25     $ 0.21     $ 0.23  
Energy Costs
  $/ DMT   $ 0.39     $ 0.00     $ 0.84     $ 0.90  
Maintenance Costs
  $/ DMT   $ 2.59     $ 3.62     $ 2.09     $ 2.26  
Vancouver Management Cost
  $/ DMT   $ 2.59     $ 5.07     $ 2.92     $ 3.16  
                     
Operating Cost per tonne
  $/ DMT   $ 61.10     $ 64.45     $ 48.30     $ 48.16  
                     

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25.9. Economic Analysis
An economic model has been constructed in order to demonstrate the economic viability of the San Vicente mine long range plan and therefore mineral reserves. The PAS metal price assumptions for the end of 2006 mineral reserves have been used. The mine Expansion Project has very positive economics at the mineral reserve metal price assumptions. PAS has committed to funding the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project and has commenced work. A summary of the economic model is shown in Table 23. The metal prices used for 2007 are $10.00 per ounce for silver and $3,000 per tonne for zinc which is higher than the long term reserve prices used of $9.00 per ounce for silver and $2,100 per tonne for zinc. This only applies to the relatively small amount of production from the Chilcobija plant. The analysis is for the full year in 2007 and metal prices have averaged significantly higher than those values during the first half of the year. Although San Vicente has historically received revenues from copper, as there is insufficient data to estimate the copper grade of the mineral reserves or mineral resources, the assumption in the economic analysis is that copper revenue will be zero. This is a conservative estimate as the economic analysis includes smelting, transportation and refining charges for copper.
The analysis calculates an Internal Rate of Return of 22% and capital payback in 2.9 years. The Net Present Value is $23.6 million at a 10% discount rate and is $14.4 million at a 15% discount rate. The undiscounted after tax cash flow is $53.8 million. PAS’s 95% share of the undiscounted after tax cash flow is estimated to be $50.9 million.
The payback is calculated as the amount of time required to pay back the capital expenditures with undiscounted cash flow starting from the beginning of 2009 when the new plant is assumed to be operating at almost full capacity. The payback period does not include any actual or imputed interest as the economic model assumes that PAS and Trafigura will fund cash calls according to their respective interests in PASB.

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Table 23 Economic Model
                                                                                                                                 
    2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019   2020   2021   Total
Metal Price Assumptions:
                                                                                                                               
Silver Price ($/ ounce)
  $ 10.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ 9.00          
Zinc Price ($/ tonne)
  $ 3,000     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100     $ 2,100          
 
                                                                                                                               
Production:
                                                                                                                               
Silver Ounces Produced
    836,576       1,407,960       2,328,549       2,695,536       2,900,839       2,939,728       2,968,078       2,931,913       2,840,512       2,329,223       2,090,841       1,867,391       955,313                   29,092,459  
Zinc Tonnes Produced
    3,422.1       4,826.5       8,585.4       8,229.3       7,993.2       7,851.9       7,144.3       6,932.6       6,776.5       7,831.3       8,070.3       7,203.3       4,429.0                   89,295.7  
 
Cash Flow Summary:
                                                                                                                               
Total NSR
  $ 13,265     $ 17,059     $ 28,839     $ 31,326     $ 32,686     $ 32,819     $ 32,130     $ 31,561     $ 30,616     $ 27,834     $ 26,208     $ 23,415     $ 12,865                     $ 340,622  
Total Operating Costs
  ($ 6,079 )   ($ 10,001 )   ($ 12,934 )   ($ 12,866 )   ($ 12,670 )   ($ 12,651 )   ($ 12,556 )   ($ 12,528 )   ($ 12,508 )   ($ 13,012 )   ($ 13,258 )   ($ 12,124 )   ($ 8,586 )                   ($ 151,774 )
COMIBOL Royalty
  ($ 2,606 )   ($ 557 )   ($ 1,283 )   ($ 1,538 )   ($ 1,674 )   ($ 6,714 )   ($ 6,513 )   ($ 6,340 )   ($ 6,009 )   ($ 4,860 )   ($ 4,215 )   ($ 3,688 )   ($ 781 )                   ($ 46,776 )
Reclamation and Salvage
                                                                                                  ($ 1,605 )   $ 895             ($ 710 )
Total Depreciation
  ($ 1,113 )   ($ 4,786 )   ($ 6,179 )   ($ 6,491 )   ($ 6,812 )   ($ 6,893 )   ($ 6,968 )   ($ 7,150 )   ($ 6,116 )   ($ 2,521 )   ($ 1,199 )   ($ 888 )   ($ 567 )                   ($ 57,681 )
 
San Vicente Pre-Tax Income
  $ 3,467     $ 1,716     $ 8,443     $ 10,431     $ 11,531     $ 6,561     $ 6,092     $ 5,543     $ 5,982     $ 7,441     $ 7,537     $ 6,715     $ 1,326     $ 895             $ 83,681  
 
                                                                                                                               
Taxable Income
  $ 2,732     $ 1,716     $ 8,443     $ 10,431     $ 11,531     $ 6,561     $ 6,092     $ 5,543     $ 5,982     $ 7,441     $ 7,537     $ 6,715     $ 1,326                     $ 74,009  
Taxes in Bolivia
  $ 897     $ 1,157     $ 2,995     $ 3,616     $ 4,096     $ 2,849     $ 2,650     $ 2,637     $ 2,632     $ 2,640     $ 2,653     $ 2,366     $ 952                     $ 32,140  
 
Net Income (Loss) after taxes
  $ 2,571     $ 559     $ 5,447     $ 6,815     $ 7,435     $ 3,712     $ 3,442     $ 2,906     $ 3,350     $ 4,801     $ 4,883     $ 4,349     $ 374     $ 895             $ 51,540  
 
                                                                                                                               
Add back Depreciation
  $ 1,113     $ 4,786     $ 6,179     $ 6,491     $ 6,812     $ 6,893     $ 6,968     $ 7,150     $ 6,116     $ 2,521     $ 1,199     $ 888     $ 567                     $ 57,681  
Total Changes Working Capital
  ($ 67 )   ($ 17 )   ($ 481 )   ($ 114 )   ($ 10 )   ($ 95 )   ($ 135 )   ($ 62 )   ($ 96 )   ($ 120 )   ($ 113 )   ($ 46 )   ($ 145 )   $ 709     ($ 114 )   ($ 905 )
Capital Costs
  ($ 29,384 )   ($ 11,152 )   ($ 2,490 )   ($ 2,566 )   ($ 650 )   ($ 604 )   ($ 1,452 )   ($ 633 )   ($ 621 )   ($ 575 )   ($ 575 )   ($ 575 )   ($ 288 )                   ($ 51,564 )
EMUSA Royalty
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     ($ 356 )   ($ 462 )   ($ 454 )   ($ 440 )   ($ 397 )   ($ 372 )   ($ 332 )   ($ 181 )                   ($ 2,995 )
 
Projected Cash Flows (100%)
  ($ 25,768 )   ($ 5,824 )   $ 8,656     $ 10,625     $ 13,587     $ 9,550     $ 8,361     $ 8,907     $ 8,309     $ 6,230     $ 5,023     $ 4,283     $ 327     $ 1,604     ($ 114 )   $ 53,756  
Cash Flow (PAS 95%)*
  ($ 24,480 )   ($ 5,533 )   $ 8,223     $ 10,093     $ 12,908     $ 9,055     $ 7,920     $ 8,439     $ 7,871     $ 5,899     $ 4,753     $ 4,053     $ 302     $ 1,524     ($ 108 )   $ 50,919  
 
                                                                                                                               
Financial Metrics:
                                                                                                                               
Payable Silver Ounces
    767,195       1,294,842       2,138,408       2,482,952       2,675,919       2,712,859       2,742,218       2,709,244       2,624,384       2,141,941       1,918,023       1,713,114       873,076                       26,794,174  
Cash Cost per Payable Ounce
  $ 1.80     $ 4.42     $ 2.46     $ 2.40     $ 2.33     $ 2.50     $ 2.80     $ 2.91     $ 3.04     $ 3.13     $ 3.36     $ 3.52     $ 5.30                     $ 2.94  
Non-Cash Cost per Ounce
  $ 0.60     $ 1.56     $ 2.03     $ 1.89     $ 1.87     $ 1.88     $ 1.89     $ 2.01     $ 2.13     $ 2.70     $ 0.17     $ 0.19     $ 0.37                     $ 1.69  
 
Total Cost per Payable Ounce
  $ 2.40     $ 5.99     $ 4.49     $ 4.29     $ 4.20     $ 4.37     $ 4.70     $ 4.93     $ 5.17     $ 5.83     $ 3.52     $ 3.71     $ 5.67                     $ 4.63  
 
                                                                                                                               
NSR per tonne
  $ 125.32     $ 112.41     $ 109.55     $ 116.02     $ 121.06     $ 121.55     $ 119.00     $ 116.89     $ 113.39     $ 103.09     $ 97.07     $ 98.26     $ 92.53     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 111.38  
Cost per tonne
  ($ 61.10 )   ($ 64.45 )   ($ 48.30 )   ($ 46.84 )   ($ 46.11 )   ($ 46.04 )   ($ 45.69 )   ($ 45.59 )   ($ 45.51 )   ($ 47.38 )   ($ 48.29 )   ($ 49.95 )   ($ 60.17 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     ($ 48.89 )
 
Margin
  $ 64.22     $ 47.96     $ 61.25     $ 69.18     $ 74.95     $ 75.51     $ 73.31     $ 71.31     $ 67.88     $ 55.71     $ 48.78     $ 48.30     $ 32.35     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 62.49  
 

61


 

(LOGO) (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Sensitivity analysis were conducted for variants in metal prices, grade, capital and operating costs. A further sensitivity was conducted to show the economics of the project using a estimate for the copper grade.
Metal Price Sensitivity
A table showing the positive economics of the project over a wide range of metal prices is shown in Table 24. Note that the higher metal prices are used in 2007 for each case. As the date of this report is effective mid-2007 and as the prices have been considerably higher than those used in the first 6 months this is considered by the co-authors to be a reasonable assumption. In addition, metal prices in 2007 are only applied to the small amount of production coming from the Chilcobija plant meaning that this assumption has a relatively minor impact on the calculation of Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return of the project.
Table 24 Metal Price Sensitivity
                                 
    Year     Case 1     Case 2     Case 3  
$/Ounce $ Silver
    2007       10.00     $ 10.00     $ 12.50  
Zinc $/Tonne
    2007     $ 3,000     $ 3,000     $ 3,600  
Silver $/Ounce
    (2008 - 20 )   $ 6.25     $ 9.00     $ 12.50  
Zinc $/Tonne
    (2008 - 20 )   $ 1,200     $ 2,100     $ 3,600  
NPV 0%
          $ 3,745     $ 53,756     $ 123,951  
NPV 10%
            ($10,847 )   $ 23,552     $ 68,973  
NPV 15%
            ($15,405 )   $ 14,368     $ 52,608  
IRR
            2 %     22 %     44 %
Pay Back (years)
            7.5       2.9       1.5  
Grade Sensitivity
In order to test the sensitivity of the project to the grade of the mineral reserves, the estimated head grade for each metal and for each year of operation was multiplied by factors of 100% (the case presented in Table 25), 125%, 110%, 90% and 75%. The cash flow and financial metrics for each case were then recalculated and are shown in Table 25. The co-authors conclude that the economics of the project are clearly very robust when after a 25% reduction in the estimated head grades of each of silver and zinc (essentially a 25% reduction in revenue) the IRR is 6%.
Table 25 Metal Grade Sensitivity
                                         
1   100%     125%     110%     90%     75%  
NPV 0%
  $ 53,756     $ 90,175     $ 70,490     $ 39,446     $ 13,843  
NPV 10%
  $ 23,552     $ 47,174     $ 34,604     $ 14,107       ($3,567 )
NPV 15%
  $ 14,368     $ 34,299     $ 23,737     $ 6,294       ($9,077 )
IRR
    22 %     34 %     27 %     16 %     6 %
Pay Back (years)
    2.9       2.0       2.5       3.5       5.5  
Capital Cost Sensitivity
The economics of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project are not sensitive to changes in capital cost up to the limits of the engineering estimate that is plus or minus 25%.

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(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Table 26 Capital Cost Sensitivity
                                         
1   100%     125%     110%     90%     75%  
NPV 0%
  $ 53,756     $ 47,891     $ 49,890     $ 57,578     $ 60,001  
NPV 10%
  $ 23,552     $ 16,462     $ 19,692     $ 27,391     $ 30,652  
NPV 15%
  $ 14,368     $ 6,835     $ 10,504     $ 18,217     $ 21,800  
IRR
    22 %     16 %     19 %     25 %     31 %
Pay Back (years)
    2.9       3.6       3.3       2.6       2.2  
Operating Cost Sensitivity
The economics of the project to variances in operating costs were calculated in a similar manner. This calculation further demonstrates the robust economics of the project.
Table 27 Operating Cost Sensitivity
                                         
1   100%     125%     110%     90%     75%  
NPV 0%
  $ 53,756     $ 35,657     $ 45,700     $ 61,389     $ 72,900  
NPV 10%
  $ 23,552     $ 11,924     $ 18,419     $ 28,443     $ 35,813  
NPV 15%
  $ 14,368     $ 4,517     $ 10,074     $ 18,465     $ 24,637  
IRR
    22 %     15 %     19 %     24 %     28 %
Pay Back (years)
  2.9     3.6       3.2       2.7       2.5  
Sensitivity to Copper Head Grade
The economic model presented in this section 25.8 assumes that there will be no revenue from the production of copper from the San Vicente mine. This assumption is used because there is not sufficient copper grade sample data density available to make an estimate of the copper grade in the proven and probable mineral reserves or the measured and indicated mineral resources. Some of the older sampling programs did not include analysis for copper. As this Technical Report presents the economics of the proven and probable mineral reserves only, any revenues from copper have been eliminated. However the expected smelting, refining and transportation costs for a copper head grade of 0.3% have been retained. This is a degree of conservatism inherent in the calculation of the economics of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project. The presence of copper at the mine is well established from the historical records, from the recent processing of San Vicente ores at Chilcobija and from the sampling data base. From a review of the production records at Chilcobija, the copper head grade in the last seven months has ranged between 0.35% and 0.41% with an average of 0.37%. When the copper head grade is back calculated from the smelter returns a grade of 0.4% is suggested. Because of this Lyntek was directed by PASB to design the process plant with the capacity to recover copper with a head grade of 0.4%. From the geology database, of a total of 6,561 samples, 1,521 samples have copper grades. The weighted average of those samples is 0.31% with a coefficient of variation of 1.01. Table 28 shows the sampling data:
Table 28 Copper Grade Samples
                                                         
Vein   Total samples Samples with Cu grade % of data Resource MT Average Cu (%)   Stand dev.   CV
Adela
    755       85       11.3       300,954       0.25       0.342       1.393  
Cantera
    356       220       61.8       223,802       0.14       0.134       0.932  
Deseada
    1,465       178       12.2       350,189       0.49       0.502       1.017  
Guernica2
    616       213       34.6       185,575       0.57       0.679       1.195  
Litoral
    383       16       4.2       213,085       0.52       0.218       0.423  
Litoral_R2
    288       43       14.9       227,314       0.38       0.264       0.689  
SanJose
    630       131       20.8       101,717       0.27       0.342       1.257  
SLorenzo
    237       4       1.7       56,773       0.24       0.199       0.845  
Union
    534       73       13.7       273,316       0.33       0.422       1.262  
6Agosto
    1,297       558       43.0       778,262       0.18       0.192       1.091  
 
    6,561       1,521       23.2       2,710,987       0.31       0.329       1.010  

63


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Table 29 presents the economic sensitivity of the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project with and without the inclusion of the revenues from a copper head grade of 0.3%. All other assumptions are as shown in Table 23 including long-term silver price of $9.00 per ounce and a long term zinc price of $2,100 per tonne.
Table 29 Copper Revenue Sensitivity
                 
    Including Copper Revenues at   As Presented in this Technical
    0.3% Head Grade   Report - Not Including Copper Revenues
NPV 0%
  $ 68,345     $ 53,756  
NPV 10%
  $ 32,996     $ 23,552  
NPV 15%
  $ 22,312     $ 14,368  
IRR
    26 %     22 %
Pay Back (years)
    2.6       2.9  
25.10. Mine Life
The life of mine plan presented in this study is based solely on proven and probable mineral reserves. The life of mine plan extends until 2019. Any conversion of the mineral resources to proven and probable mineral reserves and any new exploration discoveries will add to the mine life.
In the opinion of the co-authors there is excellent potential for new mineral resource discoveries on the mining claims held by PASB.
This report has been prepared by Martin G. Wafforn, P. Eng., Michael Steinmann P. Geo., and Douglas Maxwell, P.E. each of whom are qualified persons.
Respectfully submitted this 20th day of July 2007.
         
 
  “Signed and Sealed”    
     
 
  Martin G. Wafforn, P. Eng.    
 
       
 
  “Signed and Sealed”    
     
 
  Michael Steinmann, P. Geo.    
 
       
 
  “Signed and Sealed”    
     
 
  Mr. Douglas Maxwell, P.E.    

64


 

(MAP)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

65


 

(LOCATION MAP)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

66


 

(SITE LAYOUT)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

67


 

(MINE SITE GENERAL LAYOUT)
(SEAL)
-s- M. G. Wafforn

68


 

(SAN VICENTE MINE, MINING CONCESSIONS)
(SEAL)
-s- M. G. Wafforn

69


 

(SAN VICENTE, GEOLOGY MAP)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

70


 

(SHRINKAGE STOPING)
(SEAL)
-s- M. G. Wafforn

71


 

(MODIFIED AVOCA LONGHOLE MINING METHOD)
(SEAL)
-s- M. G. Wafforn

72


 

(MINE DEPOSITE AREA)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

73


 

(GEOLOGY MAP)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

74


 

(PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM)
(SEAL)
-s- Douglas K. Maxwell

75


 

(PROCESS PLANT GENERAL ARRANGEMENT)
(SEAL)
-s- Douglas M. Maxwell

76


 

(GRAPH)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

77


 

(SECTION OF LITORAL VEIN)
(SEAL)
-s- Dr. M. Steinmann

78


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
     
Technical Report for the
San Vicente Mine
Potosí Bolivia
Appendix A
Certificates and Consents

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Dr. Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Ph.D., of Pan American Silver Corp., 1500-625 Howe St., Vancouver, B. C., Canada V6C 2T6, do hereby certify that:
1. I graduated with a degree in Master of Science in Geology from the University of Zurich In 1993. In addition, I earned a Doctor of Natural Science in Geology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
2. I am a Professional Geoscientist in good standing in the Province of British Columbia in the areas of mining geology and exploration.
3. I have worked as a geologist for a total of fourteen years since my graduation from the University of Zurich.
4. I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43- 101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of the NI 43-101.
5. I am currently employed as Senior Vice President of Exploration and Geology for Pan American Silver Corp. and, by reason of my employment, am not independent of Pan American Silver Corp. as described in section 1.4 of NI 43-101.
6. Pan American Silver Corp. is a “producing issuer” as defined in NI 43-101.
7. I visited the San Vicente mine site from January 21, 2007 to January 23, 2007. I am responsible for the sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the report entitled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) and for the Figures 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, l-4b, 1-7, 1-8,1-11, and 1-12 of the Technical Report.
8. I am co-author of the Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia.
9. I have read NI 43-101 and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with NI 43-101.
10. As of the date of this certificate, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.
Dated the 20th day of July, 2007.
     
 
  (SEAL)
-s- Michael Steinmann
   
 
Signature and seal of Qualified Person
   
Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Ph.D.
Print Name of Qualified Person

 


 

CONSENT OF QUALIFIED PERSON
TO:   British Columbia Securities Commission
Alberta Securities Commission
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Autorité des marchés financiers
New Brunswick Securities Commission
Securities Commission of Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Government of Northwest Territories, Department of Justice, Securities Registry
Nunavut Legal Registries
Registrar of Securities, Government of the Yukon Territory
I, Dr. Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Ph.D., do hereby consent to the filing, with the regulatory authorities referred to above, of the technical report titled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) and to extracts from, or a summary of, the Technical Report in Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated June 6, 2007 and material change report dated June 6, 2007, as updated by Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated July 20, 2007 (collectively, the “Written Disclosure”).
I hereby confirm that I have read the Written Disclosure and the Written Disclosure fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report that supports the Written Disclosure.
Dated the 20 day of July, 2007.
     
 
  (SEAL)
-s- Michael Steinmann
   
 
Signature and seal of Qualified Person
   
 
   
Michael Steinmann, P.Geo., Ph.D.
   
 
Print Name of Qualified Person
   

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Martin Wafforn, P.Eng, of Pan American Silver Corp., 1500-625 Howe St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T6. do hereby certify that:
1.   I graduated with a degree in Bachelor’s of Science in Mining from Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall, England in 1980.
 
2.   I am a Professional Engineer in good standing in the Province of British Columbia in the areas of Mining engineering. I am a Chartered Engineer in good standing in the United Kingdom.
 
3.   I am currently employed as Vice President of Mine Engineering for Pan American Silver Corp. and, by reason of my employment, am not independent of Pan American Silver Corp. as described in section 1.4 of NI 43-101.
 
4.   I have worked as an engineer in the mining industry for a total of twenty six years since my graduation from Camborne School of Mines.
 
5.   I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43- 101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
 
6.   Pan American Silver Corp. is a “Producing Issuer” as defined in NI 43-101.
 
7.   I visited the San Vicente mine site from January 21, 2007 to January 23, 2007. I am responsible for the sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the report entitled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) and for the Figures 1-4, l-4a, 1-5 and 1-6 of the Technical Report.
 
8.   I am co-author of the Technical Report dated June 6th, 2007.
 
9.   I have read NI 43-101 and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with NI 43-101.
 
10.   As of the date of this certificate, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.
Dated the 20 day of July, 2007.
     
 
 
-s- Martin G. Wafforn
  (SEAL)
 
Signature and Seal of Qualified Person
  Reg. No. 22636
 
   
Martin G. Wafforn, P.Eng.
   

 


 

CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
TO:   British Columbia Securities Commission
Alberta Securities Commission
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Autorité des marchés financiers
New Brunswick Securities Commission
Securities Commission of Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Justice, Securities Registry
Nunavut Legal Registries
Registrar of Securities, Government of the Yukon Territories
I, Martin Wafforn P.Eng. do hereby consent to the filing, with the regulatory authorities referred to above, of the technical report titled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) and to extracts from, or a summary of, the Technical Report in Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated June 6, 2007, as updated by Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated July 20, 2007 (collectively the “Written Disclosure”).
I hereby confirm that I have read the Written Disclosure and the Written Disclosure fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report that supports the Written Disclosure.
Dated the 20 day of July, 2007.
     
 
 
-s- Martin Wafforn
  (SEAL)
 
Signature and seal of Qualified Person
  Reg. No. 22636
 
   
Martin Wafforn P. Eng.
   
 
Print name of Qualified Person
   

 


 

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON
I, Douglas K. Maxwell, of Lyntek Inc., 775 Mariposa Street, Denver CO 80204, do hereby certify that:
1.   I graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1979 and with a Masters of Engineering in Metallurgy in 1982. In both programs I specialized in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy.
 
2.   I am a Registered Professional Engineer — Metallurgy in the State of Colorado. My registration number is 26758. I have been a member of the Extractive Metallurgy Chapter of Denver for 15 years.
 
3.   I have worked in the mineral processing industry for over 20 years.
 
4.   I am currently employed as Process Engineer by Lyntek Inc.
 
5.   I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purposes of the NI 43-101.
 
6.   I am independent of Pan American Silver Corp. as described in section 1.4 of NI 43-101.
 
7.   I am responsible for the sections in the report entitled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) relating to mineral processing and metallurgical testing, as well as process design, capital cost estimates for the plant and infrastructure, and operating cost estimates for the plant and for sections 18 and 25 and Figures 1-9 and 1-10 of this Technical Report, I have not visited the San Vicente mine site.
 
8.   I have read NI 43-101 and the Technical Report as has been prepared in compliance with NI 43-101.
 
9.   I have not had any prior involvement with the San Vicente mine property.
 
10.   As of the date of this certificate, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.
Dated the 20th day of July, 2007.
     
-s- Douglas K. Maxwell
  (SEAL)
 
Signature and seal of Qualified Person
  -s- Douglas K. Maxwell
 
   
Douglas K. Maxwell P.E.
   
 
Print name of Qualified Person
   

 


 

CONSENT of QUALIFIED PERSON
TO:   British Columbia Securities Commission
Alberta Securities Commission
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Autorité des marchés financiers
New Brunswick Securities Commission
Securities Commission of Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Justice, Securities Registry
Nunavut Legal Registries
Registrar of Securities, Government of the Yukon Territories
I, Douglas K. Maxwell, P. E. do hereby consent to the filing, with the regulatory authorities referred to above, of the technical report titled “Technical Report for the San Vicente Mine Expansion Project, Potosi, Bolivia” dated effective June 6, 2007 (the “Technical Report”) and to extracts from, or a summary of, the Technical Report in Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated June 6, 2007, as updated by Pan American Silver Corp.’s news release dated July 20, 2007 (collectively the “Written Disclosure”).
I hereby confirm that I have read the Written Disclosure and the Written Disclosure fairly and accurately represents the information in the Technical Report that supports the Written Disclosure.
Dated the 20th day of July, 2007.
     
-s- Duglas K. Maxwell
  (SEAL)
 
Signature and seal of Qualified Person
  -s- Douglas K. Maxwell
 
   
Douglas K. Maxwell, P.E.
   
 
Print name of Qualified Person
   

 


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
Technical Report for the
San Vicente Mine
Potosi Bolivia
Appendix B
Diamond Drill Hole Intercepts

 


 

(LOGO)   (PAN AMERICAN LOGO)
<
                                                                                                         
Hole Identification   Collar Co-ordinates   Interval Orientation   Assay Results
Vein   HOLE Nº   Easting   Northing   Elevation   Length   Azimuth   Dip   From   To   Ag (g/t)   Cu%   Pb%   Zn%
Clavo Inca
  DDH-99-001     777,987       7,645,648       4,440       205.13       31 º     -45º             35.44                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     35.44       36.11       6.1       0.00       0.02       0.10  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     36.11       87.27                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     87.27       87.49       0.2       0.00       0.01       0.01  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     87.49       87.66       2       0.00       0.02       0.08  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     87.66       88.58       1       0.00       0.01       0.04  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     88.58       89.26       2.6       0.00       0.02       0.05  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     89.26       89.48       2       0.00       0.01       0.03  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     89.48       92.01                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     92.01       92.35       0.7       0.00       0.01       0.05  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     92.35       93.75                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     93.75       94.09       3.2       0.00       0.01       0.01  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     94.09       94.31       352.2       0.13       0.07       0.07  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     94.31       94.95       256.4       0.11       1.25       0.42  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     94.95       122.63                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     122.63       122.84       35.9       0.03       0.01       0.07  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     122.84       127.98                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     127.98       128.23       4       0.00       0.02       0.06  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     128.23       128.76                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     128.76       128.93       3.6       0.00       0.01       0.05  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     128.93       135.12                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     135.12       135.36       191.7       0.02       0.02       0.08  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     135.36       153.71                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     153.71       154.21       81.6       0.04       0.05       0.11  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     154.21       155.66                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     155.66       156.36       131.3       0.08       0.12       0.08  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     156.36       156.97       179.5       0.11       0.12       0.10  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     156.97       157.47       199.4       0.12       0.12       0.13  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     157.47       157.97       125.6       0.07       0.04       0.07  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     157.97       158.47       166.4       0.09       0.08       0.12  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     158.47       158.94       98       0.06       0.11       0.15  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     158.94       159.49       129.5       0.09       0.04       0.13  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     159.49       159.92       77.5       0.06       0.03       0.10  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     159.92       160.42       78.9       0.06       0.05       0.11  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     160.42       160.72                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     160.72       161.27       38.3       0.04       0.02       0.07  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     161.27       163.46                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     163.46       163.67       210       0.17       0.02       0.14  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     163.67       166.60                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     166.60       167.70       42.1       0.04       0.03       0.11  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     167.70       178.50                                  
 
  DDH-99-001                                                     178.50       179.03       119.7       0.07       0.08       0.96  
 
  DDH-99-001