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Strong Back Up For The Los Calatos Copper Project

Vallecillo Gold-Zinc Project:
Resource upgraded to 10.1 million tonnes @ 2.2g/t Au equivalent* (>700,000 oz gold equivalent). Metal content up 40% from previous estimate. Metallurgical testwork expected to be completed by December 2009 to feed into a Scoping Study.
Mollacas Copper Leach Project:
Final column leach testwork underway as a precursor to completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study. New resources estimation expected late 2009. Project has an estimated NPV of US$103 million, using a copper price of US$2.50 per lb, for a 7 year 13,500 tonnes pa copper leach operation. Unit operating costs are estimated as US$0.91 per lb Cu.
Camaron Gold Project:
RC drilling program to test significant low-sulphidation surface gold anomalous zones finalised.

Background

Metminco Limited (ASX:MNC) has a 36.5% shareholding in unlisted Hampton Mining Limited (Hampton). As announced on 25 September 2009, Metminco now has an irrevocable right to acquire an additional controlling interest in Hampton, up to 68.4%, following shareholder and regulatory approval. Hampton has rights to a significant portfolio of projects in South America (Appendix 1) encompassing mainly copper, gold, molybdenum and zinc. In addition to the flagship Los Calatos Project in southern Peru (Resources of 262 million tonnes @ 0.43% Cu & 0.042% Mo (0.74% CuEq)), Hampton has a number of solid supporting projects in central Chile. The two most advanced projects, Vallecillo & Mollacas, are located south east of La Serena and are at an advanced exploration/pre development stage. Hampton also holds further prospective grass roots projects, Camaron, Isidro and Loica in the same region.

Date: Monday 19 Oct 2009