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ANDINA Minerals Inc.: Andina Appoints Micon International Limited as Lead Consultant for Conceptual Development Plan & Prelimin

^{Published on 2009-03-27 13:56:56, Last Modified on 2009-03-27 13:58:47 - Market Wire}
 

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 27, 2009) - ANDINA Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:ADM) ("Andina") is pleased to announce that Micon International Limited has been retained as lead consultant for the Conceptual Development Plan and Preliminary Economic Assessment for Andina's wholly owned Volcan Project, situated in the Maricunga Gold District, Region III, Chile.

Andina, with recent management and director appointments, has highlighted the company's move from an exploration focused company to a company planning to take the Volcan Project down the development path and into production.

Micon International Limited has provided consulting services to the international mining industry since 1988, with particular focus upon mineral resource estimations, metallurgical services, mine design and production scheduling, preparation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, independent reviews of mining and mineral properties, project monitoring, independent engineer roles, financial analysis and litigation support.

Micon's clients include mining and mineral exploration companies, financial institutions and government agencies from around the world. Assignments have been carried out in virtually every country of the world for such commodities as precious and base metals, industrial minerals, diamonds and energy fuels. A particular expertise has been developed in the economic evaluation of mining properties, including studies in support of debt and equity financing. Micon's professional staff have the experience, education and professional credentials to act as Qualified Persons and/or Competent Persons, as required by world-wide regulatory agencies.

"Having had prior experience working with Micon, we are extremely pleased Micon has agreed to oversee the Conceptual Development Plan and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Volcan Project scheduled for completion in the 4th quarter 2009. The expertise and experience that Micon brings, coupled with other specialists selected for the Volcan Project engineering, lends confidence that development planning will start on a solid basis", said George Bee, President and CEO.

In a further update on Andina management, it is announced that effective today Marla Gale will assume the role of Director of Investor Relations, replacing Tracey Thom who is leaving Andina effective April 1, 2009 to pursue other opportunities.

Ms. Gale brings more than 14 years of investor relations experience to Andina, including corporate and consulting roles. She has worked with a broad range of mining companies, most recently as Director of Investor Relations at Aurelian Resources.

The services agreement under which Ms. Gale has been engaged is for a term of six months on a consulting basis. Andina will pay Ms. Gale an annual fee for services of $70,000. In addition, 30,000 options have been granted to Ms. Gale at an exercise price of CDN$1.75 and expiring on March 27, 2014. Under the agreement, Ms. Gale will be responsible for, among other things, developing and maintaining Andina's investor relations plan, providing regulatory disclosure training to Andina personnel, overseeing the production of all shareholder investor relations communications, and serving as the key point of contact for the investment community. Ms. Gale has advised Andina that she does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in Andina or its securities, or any right to acquire such an interest (other than for the options granted today). Ms. Gale may acquire additional securities of Andina in the future, subject to applicable law and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The services agreement is subject to regulatory approval.

Tracey Thom has worked with Andina since December 2007. "We would like to wish Tracey the very best as she moves to a new opportunity and thank her for the support that she has given Andina", said George Bee.

About Andina Minerals Inc.

Andina is an Americas-focused exploration and development company, with a portfolio of precious metals exploration projects in Chile, including its flagship Volcan Gold Project, strategically located in the Maricunga Gold Belt.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, permitting time lines, government regulation of exploration and mining operations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage, timing and possible outcomes of any pending litigation and timing and results of future resource estimates or future economic studies and in particular include statements with respect to the commencement and completion of the Conceptual Development Plan and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Volcan Project. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "planned", "expects" or "looking forward", "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipate", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including the result of drilling and exploration activities, that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed timeframes, that equipment necessary for exploration is available as scheduled and does not incur unforeseen break downs, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, and that laboratory and other related services are available and perform as contracted.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the company's publicly filed documents. Although Andina has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.