April 6, 2009, Vancouver, BC — Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE Amex: TGB) (“Taseko” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide the following update on production results for the first quarter 2009.

Q1 2009 Production Highlights

During the first quarter of 2009, the Gibraltar Mine produced nearly 20 million pounds of copper and 187 thousand pounds of molybdenum, representing a 70% increase to copper production over the same period in 2008. These quarterly production figures are in line with annual production guidance of 80 million pounds of copper and 800 thousand pounds of molybdenum.

Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko stated, “Over the past two years we have invested $250 million into the Gibraltar Mine to increase production and reduce operating costs. The results we are now reporting are validating the importance of these initiatives. First quarter production and our low cost structure combined with a strengthened copper price will provide healthy margins and cash flow.”

“In only three months the price of copper, as quoted on the London Metal Exchange, has risen from a low of US$1.26/lb in late December to nearly US$1.90/lb today. At the same time, after major cost reduction initiatives our total cash costs have dropped to approximately US$1.15/lb for the first quarter.”

Mr. Hallbauer continued, “The dramatic rebound in copper prices is encouraging and has allowed us to recommence work on our Phase II expansion; however, given the general uncertainty in the global economy, we will remain extremely cautious as we proceed with our capital spending to ensure we maintain sufficient working capital lines. As market conditions stabilize, we expect to complete the necessary work to increase the Gibraltar concentrator capacity to 55,000 tons per day, or 115 million pounds of annual copper production.”

Contact: Brian Bergot, Investor Relations
Direct: 778-373-4545 | toll free 1-800-667-2114

Russell Hallbauer
President and CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains “forward-looking statements” that were based on Taseko’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “should” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:

• uncertainties and costs related to the Company’s exploration and development activities, such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a property;
• uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling;
• uncertainties related to feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining project;
• uncertainties related to our ability to complete the mill upgrade on time estimated and at the scheduled cost;
• uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development projects and project delays due to third party opposition;
• uncertainties related to unexpected or ongoing judicial or regulatory proceedings;
• changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations, particularly laws, regulations and policies;
• changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities, such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing;
• the effects of forward selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty defaults, and mark to market risk;
• the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining risks;
• the risk of loss of key employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates;
• environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock piling ore; and
• labour strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the production of minerals in our mines.

For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company’s annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Back to the News Releases page