Revett Minerals Reports Operating and Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

Thu May 15, 3:01 PM

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA, May 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Revett Minerals Inc. (TSX-RVM) ("Revett" or the "Company") is pleased to report on its improving operating and financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2008. All currency in this report is in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated

    
    The major highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, included:

    - Troy (100% basis) achieved improved mill throughput averaging
      3,332 tons per day compared to 2,309 tons per day during the
      three months ended December 31, 2007;
    - Troy (100% basis) produced 2.1 million pounds of copper and
      231,912 ounces of silver compared to 1.1 million pounds of copper and
      127,352 ounces of silver for the three months ended December 31, 2007;
    - Revett Minerals acquired the Kennecott term note leaving the
      consolidated company with only minimal non-royalty related fixed term
      debt, all of which relates to capital leases;
    - For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company reported income
      from operations of $1.9 million compared to a loss from operations of
      $6.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007; and
    - The Company reported net income of $1.4 million or $0.02 per share for
      the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to a loss of
      $3.0 million or $0.04 per share for the three months ended December 31,
      2007.

    Bill Orchow, President and CEO of the Company, in commenting on the
first quarter said "We are very pleased with the employees dedication in
attaining continued production improvements which have had the added benefit
of reducing our production costs on a metal produced basis. The management and
staff at Troy are to be complemented for the efforts that they have made in
improving the financial performance of the mine."

    CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
    --------------------

    For the three months ended March 31, 2008, Revett reported a profit of
$1.4 million or $0.02 per share on revenue of $12.0 million. This compared to
a profit of $0.3 million or $0.00 per share during the three months ended
March 31, 2007 on revenues of $10.7 million and a loss of $3.0 million or
($0.04) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007 on revenues of
$3.1 million.
    Concentrate deliveries and sales during the three months ended March 31,
2008 consisted of 2.0 million pounds of payable copper and 183,735 ounces of
payable silver compared to 2.7 million pounds of copper and 289,847 ounces of
silver during the three months ended March 31, 2007.
    During the first quarter of 2008, cost of sales was $8.3 million compared
to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. Operating costs were higher
reflecting higher labor costs, higher materials and supplies (principally in
the drill and blast activities), and higher property and state mining taxes.
Depreciation and amortization in this current quarter was $0.4 million
compared to $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. The Company uses the
units-of-production method to depreciate the majority of Troy's plant and
equipment and therefore changes in throughput and ore reserves will result in
corresponding adjustments to these expense items. The reclamation and
remediation liability accretion expense was $0.2 million in the first quarter
of 2008 and also $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2007.
    Exploration and development costs totaled $0.4 million in the first
quarter of 2008, compared to $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2007. The
difference in exploration and development was largely a function of the timing
of initiating Troy's 2008 exploration program. General and administration
costs were $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.0 million
during the first quarter of 2007. Other income was an expense of $0.2 million
during the first quarter of 2008 comprised almost entirely of a loss on
foreign exchange. In the first quarter of 2007, other income was a loss of
$0.02 million, reflecting a smaller change in the relative value of the
Canadian dollar to the US dollar.
    As a result net income before non controlling interest and taxes was
$1.6 million for the first quarter of 2008 and $1.2 million for the
first quarter of 2007. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, net income,
after taxes and non controlling interests, was $1.4 million or $0.02 per share
compared to net income of $0.3 million or $0.00 per share for the three month
ended March 31, 2007.
    On February 21, 2008, Revett Minerals acquired for face value Revett
Silver's loan obligation to Kennecott Montana Company, thereby, eliminating on
a consolidated basis the majority of the Company's debt obligations. The only
remaining third part debt obligations are the capped Royal Gold production
driven royalty expected to be retired within the next 12 to 18 months,
depending production levels and metal prices, and $1.5 million in principal
payments relating to certain capital lease obligations. At March 31, 2008, the
Company's cash and cash equivalents and short term investments, which consists
of cash invested in fixed income securities, totaled $9.5 million compared to
$18.0 million as at December 31, 2007. This use of cash was a mostly a
function of acquiring the third party Kennecott note. At March 31, 2008
working capital had increased to $11.6 million from $10.2 million at
December 31, 2007.

    THE TROY MINE
    -------------

    The table below illustrates certain key operating statistics for Troy
(100% basis) for the three months ended March 31, 2008, with a comparison to
the three months ended March 31, 2007 and also to the fourth quarter of 2007.


                                    Three Months  Three Months  Three Months
                                           Ended         Ended         Ended
                                    ------------  ------------  ------------
                                        March 31,     March 31,  December 31,
                                            2008          2007          2007
                                        --------      --------   -----------
    Tons milled                          299,863       350,180       212,425
    Tons milled per day                    3,332         3,891         2,309
    Operating cost per ton milled
     (USD)                                 26.33         21.77         32.81
    Copper grade (pct)                      0.41          0.54          0.31
    Silver grade (opt)                      0.87          1.15          0.68
    Copper recovery (pct)                   86.5          87.1          85.0
    Silver recovery (pct)                   89.0          88.9          88.7
    Copper produced (lbs)              2,129,522     3,302,352     1,135,338
    Silver produced (ozs)                231,912       359,134       127,352


    The continuing improvement in mill throughput, along with the continued
high prices for silver and copper are the two most significant factors
affecting the Company's first quarter operating and financial results. If
production can continue at levels experienced in March and prices remain at or
near current levels, Troy could generate positive cash flow for the rest of
2008. Also, the mine continues to work aggressively in implementing its safety
and environmental programs and this performance has been excellent for the
past eight months.

    ABOUT REVETT
    ------------

    Revett, through its subsidiaries, owns both the Rock Creek Project and the
Troy Mine both of which are located in northwest Montana. Based on the
drilling to date, Rock Creek contains an estimated inferred resource of
137 million tons grading 1.67 ounces silver per ton and 0.72% copper,
containing approximately 229 million ounces of silver and over 2 billion
pounds of copper using a cut off grade of US $10.00 per ton. Further
information on both the Troy Mine and the Rock Creek Project may be found in
the National Instrument 43-101 reports at www.sedar.com. These reports were
prepared on behalf of the Company by Mr. Jean-Francois Couture, P.Geo. and Mr.
Ken Reipas, P.Eng. of SRK Consulting (Canada). Both Mr. Couture and Mr. Reipas
are Qualified Persons in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. All of
these issues are discussed in greater detail in the Company's official filings
at www.sedar.com.

    William Orchow
    President & CEO

    Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the
information presented in this press release may contain "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation
and The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to those with respect to the price of
silver and copper, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the
realization of mineral reserve estimates, the effect on the Company's
operations of pending or planned legal challenges, the timing and amount of
estimated future production, industrial accidents, and costs of production,
all involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may
cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Generally, these
forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "plans", "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected",
"is not expected", "budget", "plans", "schedule", "estimates", "forecasts",
"intends", "anticipates", "or does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations
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 subject to known and known risks, uncertainties
and other factors. Such other factors may include, among others, ground
control problems and flooding, metallurgical recovery problems, ore grade or
tonnage shortfalls, labor disruptions or shortages of skilled labor, risks
relating to environmental laws and regulations, the actual results of
exploration activities, actual results of current reclamation activities,
conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans
continue to be refined, future metal prices, changes in the quantity and costs
of producing copper concentrate as well as those factors discussed in the
section entitled "Risk Factors" in the annual information form filed on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be
other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Revett Minerals does not undertake to
update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference
herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.


    Revett Minerals Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    (expressed in thousands of United States dollars
     except share and per share amounts)

                                                      March 31,  December 31,
                                                          2008          2007
                                                    (unaudited)
                        Assets

    Current Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                     $      8,538  $     14,055
    Short term investments                               1,002         3,955
    Accounts receivable                                  3,968           970
    Income tax receivable                                    -         1,250
    Concentrate settlement receivable                    1,507             -
    Inventories (note 3)                                 4,701         4,519
    Prepaid expenses and deposits                          563           498
                                                -----------------------------
    Total current assets                                20,279        25,247

    Mineral property, plant, equipment and
     mine development (net) (note 4)                    60,531        60,714
    Restricted cash (note 5)                             7,477         7,386
    Other long term assets                               1,232         1,264
                                                -----------------------------

    Total assets                                  $     89,519  $     94,611
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

           Liabilities and shareholders equity

    Current liabilities
    Trade accounts payable                        $      1,801  $      1,985
    Payroll liabilities                                    880           806
    Income, property and mining taxes                    1,497         1,161
    Concentrate settlement payable                           -           526
    Other accrued liabilities                            1,030           852
    Current portion of long term debt                    3,572         9,719
                                                -----------------------------
    Total current liabilities                            8,780        15,049

    Long-term portion of debt (note 6)                   1,011         1,784
    Reclamation and remediation liability
     (note 9 (b))                                        7,036         7,141
    Future income tax                                    7,974         8,391
                                                -----------------------------
    Total liabilities                                   24,801        32,365
                                                -----------------------------

    Non controlling interest                             8,604         8,175

    Shareholders' equity
    Preferred stock, no par value, unlimited
     authorized, nil issued and outstanding
    Common stock, no par value unlimited
     authorized, 75,002,702 (2007- 74,295,702)
     shares issued and outstanding (note 7 (b))         56,871        56,315
    Contributed surplus                                  1,636         1,556
    Deficit                                             (2,393)       (3,800)
                                                -----------------------------
                                                        56,114        54,071

    Total liabilities and shareholders
     equity                                       $     89,519  $     94,611
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.


    Revett Minerals Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    Three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (expressed in thousands of United States dollars
     except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)

                                                   Three month   Three month
                                                  period ended  period ended
                                                      March 31,     March 31,
                                                          2008          2007

    Revenues                                      $     12,034  $     10,716

    Expenses:
    Cost of sales                                        8,278         7,550
    Depreciation and amortization                          392           386
    Exploration and development                            355           475
    General & administrative                               986           975
    Accretion of reclamation and remediation
     liability                                             146           161
                                                -----------------------------
                                                        10,157         9,547
                                                -----------------------------

    Income from operations                               1,877         1,169

    Other income (expenses):
    Interest expense                                      (274)         (371)
    Interest and other income                              255           387
    Foreign exchange (loss)                               (216)          (33)
                                                -----------------------------
    Total other income (expenses)                         (235)          (17)

    Net income before non controlling
     interest and taxes                                  1,642         1,152

    Income tax recovery (expense)                          426          (376)

    Net income before non controlling
     interest                                            2,068           776

    Non controlling interest                              (661)         (475)

    Net income for the period                     $      1,407  $        301
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    Basic earnings per share                      $       0.02  $       0.00
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    Diluted earnings per share                    $       0.02  $       0.00
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    Weighed average number of shares
     outstanding                                    74,761,856    72,934,097
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    Weighted average number of diluted
     shares outstanding                             75,071,221    73,509,069
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------


    Revett Minerals Inc.
    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
    Three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
    (expressed in thousands of United States dollars
     except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)

                                                   Three month   Three month
                                                  period ended  period ended
                                                      March 31,     March 31,
                                                          2008          2007
                                                    (unaudited)   (unaudited)

    Cash flows from operating activities:

    Net income for the period                     $      1,407  $        301
    Adjustment to reconcile net income to net
     cash used by operating activities
    Depreciation and amortization                          392           386
    Accretion of reclamation and remediation
     liability                                             146           161
    Foreign exchange loss                                  216            33
    Stock based compensation                                80           343
    Loss on disposal of fixed assets                        74             -
    Future income tax expense (recovery)                  (623)          376
    Non controlling interest                               661           475
    Accrued interest from reclamation trust
     fund                                                  (86)          (82)
    Amortization of prepaid insurance premium               32            41
    Change in fair value  of derivative
     contracts                                          (2,033)       (3,974)

    Changes in:

      Accounts receivable                               (2,998)        3,399
      Income  tax receivable                             1,250             -
      Inventory                                           (182)         (857)
      Prepaid expenses and other                           (65)         (370)
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities             404        (1,745)
                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash used by operating activities               (1,325)       (1,513)
                                                -----------------------------

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Proceeds (purchase) of short term
       investments                                       2,953          (479)
      Other long term assets                                (3)           42
      Purchase of plant and equipment                       (6)         (258)
                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash provided (used) by investing
     activities                                          2,944          (695)
                                                -----------------------------

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Proceeds form the issuance of common
       stock, net                                            -         1,327
      Repayment of debt                                 (6,625)         (740)
      Repayment of capital leases                         (295)         (181)
                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash from (used by) financing
     activities                                         (6,920)          406
                                                -----------------------------

    Effects of foreign exchange on cash held
     In foreign currencies                                (216)          (33)

    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                        (5,517)       (1,835)
      Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
       of period                                        14,055        19,862
                                                -----------------------------
      Cash and cash equivalents, end of
       period                                     $      8,538  $     18,027
                                                -----------------------------
                                                -----------------------------

    Supplementary cash flow information:
      Cash paid for interest expense              $        404  $        545
      Cash received for interest income           $        374  $        247
      Common stock issued to acquire non
       controlling interest                       $        556  $          -
      Reduction of reclamation and
       remediation liability                      $  251        $      1,021


    Revett Minerals Inc.
    Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
    Three months ended March 31, 2008 and year ended
     December 31, 2007
    (expressed in thousands of United States dollars
     except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)

                           Common Shares        Contri-
                           -------------         buted
                         Shares     Amount     Surplus    Deficit      Total
                         ------     ------     -------    -------      -----
    Balance,
     December 31,
     2006            71,904,088  $  53,989   $     816  $  (4,671)  $ 50,134
    Issued to
     acquire non
     controlling
     interest         1,097,999        999           -          -        999
    Issued for
     cash on the
     exercise of
     share
     purchase
     warrants         1,293,615      1,327           -          -      1,327
    Stock-based
     compensation
     on options
     granted                  -          -         740          -        740
    Net income
     for the year             -          -           -        871        871
                   ----------------------------------------------------------
    Balance,
     December 31,
     2007            74,295,702  $  56,315   $   1,556  $  (3,800)  $ 54,071
                   ----------------------------------------------------------
                   ----------------------------------------------------------

    Issued to
     acquire non
     controlling
     interest           707,000        556           -          -        556
    Stock-based
     compensation
     on options
     granted                  -          -          80          -         80
    Net income for
     the period               -          -           -      1,407      1,407
                   ----------------------------------------------------------
    Balance, March
     31, 2008        75,002,702  $  56,871  $    1,636  $  (2,393)  $ 56,114
                   ----------------------------------------------------------
                   ----------------------------------------------------------

    See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
    

Contacts

Scott Brunsdon
CFO

Doug Ward
VP Corporate Development
(509) 921-2294

www.revettminerals.com

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.: Jason Roy
jroy@renmarkfinancial.com

Maurice Dagenais
mdagenais@renmarkfinancial.com
(514) 939-3989
Fax: (514) 939-3717

www.renmarkfinancial.com