Lundin Mining Reports on Neves-Corvo Future Underground Materials Handling Study

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/23/12 -- Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX: LUN)(OMX: LUMI) ('Lundin' or the 'Company') provides a summary of the results of the initial Future Underground Materials Handling Study (the 'Study') for its Neves-Corvo mining complex in southern Portugal. This conceptual level study identified and evaluated the underground materials handling and access options necessary to pursue the exploitation of the deeper Lombador copper/zinc resources as well as the Semblana copper deposit which are adjacent to the Company's Neves-Corvo mine.

The Study indicated two preferred options:

- A new rock-hoisting and man-riding shaft approximately 1,200 m deep, located to the north-east of the existing mine surface facilities, situated between the Semblana and Lombador mineralization (the 'Shaft Option').

- A new decline from the existing plant area equipped with a conveyor system and man and material access facilities (the 'Decline Option'). The Decline Option consists of a proposed two-leg decline driven by a high speed tunnel boring machine and would be aligned to pass close to and underneath the Semblana deposit and then on to deeper parts of the Lombador resource, reaching a similar ultimate depth as the Shaft Option.

The attached drawings illustrate the conceptual locations and layouts of these two options. To view accompanying drawings, visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Options_LUN.pdf

The Shaft Option

The Shaft Option is expected to comprise conventional shaft systems with combination skip/cages providing a designed rock hoisting capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum ('tpa'), coupled with rapid man-riding facilities to the lowest levels of the mine. The shaft would provide direct ventilation benefits and would allow ore and waste from production areas to be gravity-fed to a new deep haulage level. The shaft is expected to provide less positional and sequencing flexibility, as well as a longer development schedule, as compared to the Decline Option. Should the Shaft Option be selected, it could be in production approximately 5 years from project start. The Shaft Option is expected to have a higher capital cost and lower operating cost than the Decline Option.

The Decline Option

The Decline Option is expected to comprise an approximately 6-metre diameter, inclined tunnel equipped with a conveyor system for rock hoisting, with the same design capacity as the Shaft Option at 5 million tpa. At a current design gradient of 1:5, the length of the decline from surface to the Semblana area is approximately 5,200 m. Access to the deeper parts of the Lombador mineralization would require a decline extension of a further 2,200 m. Man access would be provided by a rope haulage system or conventional vehicles depending on the final selected gradient of the decline. The Decline Option is expected to allow earlier first production than the Shaft Option, with potential to be operational in approximately 4 years from project start. This option would also allow phased expenditure and sequential development of the Semblana and Lombador mineralization. The Decline Option could also have the added benefit of providing greater flexibility in accessing several other areas of potential mineralization located near the Semblana deposit as identified by the recent high-grade copper intercepts from initial drilling on 3D seismic targets, as announced in the Company's December 15th, 2011 press release.

Study Advancement

A next level of study is advancing with a high priority, taking into account ongoing new exploration results, and to further develop designs and comparisons between the two options. The results of the initial Study are not intended to imply that either option has been determined to be economically viable. The Semblana mineral resource is still categorized as Inferred and comments on economic potential are not provided. Given the preliminary nature of the Study and the number of assumptions necessary to be made at this stage, capital and operating cost estimates for the Shaft and Decline Options are still at a conceptual stage and are insufficient for public dissemination. Studies are advancing to refine comparisons between the Shaft and Decline Options with anticipated completion by Q2 2012, to select a single preferred option for subsequent feasibility level study.

A significant exploration drilling program is planned for 2012 which is expected to increase the current resource at Semblana. Expansion of this resource and drilling success from other nearby seismic reflector targets are likely needed to warrant a major underground infrastructure investment dedicated just to this area. Additional drilling is progressing near recently encountered high grade copper intercepts south and southwest of the existing Semblana resource.

Related Development Plans

In parallel to ongoing study work and to fast track the schedule for accessing the Semblana area, the Company has commenced planning and budgeting for development of an access ramp to the Semblana Deposit from the Zambujal orebody. Subject to investment approvals, the ramp development is targeted to commence prior to the end of Q2 2012 with the objective of accessing an intermediate level about 750 m below surface in 2 to 3 years, from which further exploration and infill drilling can be carried out. Subject to this drilling, further design and study results, this ramp will continue to approximately 950 m depth which is the conceptual design level of a main haulage way for Semblana. This access ramp from Zambujal would be utilized with either the Shaft or Decline Options.

As previously announced in our December 12th, 2011 press release, the development of the Lombador deposit ('Lombador Phase 1') is progressing to enable ramp up of zinc production to in excess of 60,000 tpa by 2014. The main access ramp for Lombador Phase 1 has now reached a level 850 metres below surface and is at the elevation to start the exploration drive planned for detailed in-fill drilling of the deeper Lombador mineralization.

Commenting on the Study and the Company's other developments plans at the Neves-Corvo mining complex, Mr. Paul Conibear, CEO of Lundin Mining said, 'The successive stages of refinement of the materials handling study are essential for the future development of new resources at Neves-Corvo. We intend to move forward aggressively with investment plans at the mine. Ongoing exploration efforts on Semblana, Lombador, and the drilling success we have recently achieved on new targets will continue to shape and support our investment in future underground materials handling infrastructure at Neves-Corvo.'

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining Corporation is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations in Portugal, Sweden, Spain and Ireland, producing copper, zinc, lead and nickel. In addition, Lundin Mining holds a development project pipeline which includes expansion projects at Neves-Corvo mine along with its equity stake in the world class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Behalf of the Board,

Paul Conibear, CEO

Qualified Persons

Mr Stephen Gatley, BSc(Eng), CEng, MIMMM, Director Technical Services with Lundin Mining, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical contents of this news release and consents to their publication.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of the Ontario Securities Act. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; risks associated with the estimation of Mineral Resources and Reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk Factors Relating to the Company's Business in the Company's Annual Information Form and in each management discussion and analysis. Forward-looking information is in addition based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long term price of copper, nickel, lead and zinc; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Lundin Mining Corporation

Sophia Shane

Investor Relations North America

+1-604-689-7842


Lundin Mining Corporation

John Miniotis

Senior Business Analyst

+1-416-342-5565


Lundin Mining Corporation

Robert Eriksson

Investor Relations Sweden

+46 8 545 015 50
www.lundinmining.com