Revett Minerals Inc. (RVM)

[apatel1]

Revett Provides Q2 2011 Operations and Rock Creek Litigation Update
SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON, Jul 18, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Revett Minerals Inc. (TSX:RVM) (NYSE Amex:RVM) today announced second quarter 2011 production from its Troy Mine in northwestern Montana of 342,822 ounces of silver and over 3.03 million pounds of copper production, a 65% increase in silver and 60% increase in copper production over the same period last year and 40% increase in silver and 51% increase in copper from the first quarter of 2011. Silver and Copper grades along with metal recoveries also improved, primarily from an increased production from the C Bed area.

John Shanahan, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "We have seen significant improvements in ore production in the second quarter as we're able to take advantage of our fully developed C Bed area, we are poised for continued production at planned levels in the third quarter of 2011. We also remain focused on our exploration and engineering efforts to add value, expand the mine life and realize the longer term potential of the Troy Mine."

Highlights:

-- Net cash(1) provided from operations before capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2011 totaled US$7.5 million, a 900% increase from the same period a year ago. Direct production cost per ton of ore increased due primarily to the re-start of a production royalty, higher refining costs and higher mining taxes due to higher revenues resulting from higher metal prices. Labor and consumable costs were also slightly higher.-- Cash costs per ounce of silver and per pound of copper improved significantly with the improved metal production. Cash costs (2) for the second quarter of 2011, calculated on a net of by-product basis, were $2.10 per ounce silver and $0.69 per pound copper.-- Exploration efforts continued in and around the Troy Mine with additional reserves and resources added in the C Bed area as previously announced. We are waiting for results of ongoing drilling in the I Bed area and a portion of the field work has been completed on a geophysical survey south of the Troy Mine. 2nd 2ndTroy Production Quarter Quarter Summary(3) April May June 2011 2010Mill Production------------------- Mill Feed (st) 110,942 126,259 115,617 352,818 354,359 Mill Feed Rate (stpd) 3,826 4,209 3,854 3,964 3,982Silver------------------- Feed Grade - opt 1.02 1.19 1.20 1.14 0.70 Mill Recovery 83.34% 85.22% 86.22% 85.04% 83.92% Recovered Ounces 94,587 128,513 119,722 342,822 207,948Copper------------------- Feed Grade - % 0.46% 0.54% 0.56% 0.52% 0.33% Mill Recovery 80.13% 82.37% 84.09% 82.36% 80.74% Recovered Pounds 817,973 1,112,243 1,098,036 3,028,252 1,888,935Cash Cost(2)------------------- Direct Operating Cost Per Ton (US$) $ 29.79 $ 30.21 $ 27.70 $ 29.25 $ 23.50 By-Product Basis (payable) - Silver (US$/oz) $ 10.94 $ 1.61 ($4.25) $ 2.10 $ 13.08 - Copper (US$/lb) $ 1.33 $ 0.63 $ 0.26 $ 0.69 $ 2.63 Co-Product Basis (payable) - Silver (US$/oz) $ 18.59 $ 14.97 $ 12.87 $ 15.14 $ 16.40 - Copper (US$/lb) $ 2.13 $ 1.90 $ 1.68 $ 1.89 $ 2.841. Net cash before capital expenditures is a non GAAP measure. The Company believes that net cash provided from operations is a benchmark for performance and is well understood and widely reported in the mining industry.2. All cash costs include direct mine site costs and smelting, refining and transport costs. Average commodity prices used to off-set (by-product credit basis) or allocate (co-product basis) cash costs are the monthly weighted average realized prices based on invoiced shipments. Cash costs per payable ounce of silver or payable pound of copper is a non GAAP measure. The Company believes that, in addition to cost of sales, cash costs per ounce and per pound are a useful and complementary benchmark for performance and is well understood and widely reported in the mining industry. However, cash costs per ounce does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP. Investors are cautioned that cash costs per ounce or per pound should not be construed as an alternative to cost of sales determined in accordance with Canadian GAAP as an indicator of performance. The Company's method of calculating cash costs per ounce or per pound may differ from the methods used by other entities and, accordingly, the Company's cash costs per ounce or per pound may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities.3. Production statistics are on a 100% basis.
Rock Creek Litigation Update

Oral arguments were held in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Portland, Oregon on July 14th in litigation regarding Rock Creek Alliance, et al versus the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS and Revett prevailed in the Federal District Court on the issues related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in May of 2010 and the environmental groups have subsequently appealed that part of the District Courts ruling to the Ninth Circuit.

A recording of the oral arguments is available at the Ninth Circuit ' s website http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/view_subpage.php?pk_id=0000007810

About Revett

Revett Minerals, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Troy Mine and development-stage Rock Creek Project, both located in northwestern Montana, USA. These projects host significant copper and silver mineral reserves and resources and form the basis of our plan to become a solid mid-tier base and precious metals producer. Revett plans on expanding production through exploration in and around its current properties, as well as through targeted business combinations of advanced stage projects.

John Shanahan, CEO & President