ECU Silver Extends DD Vein on Level 12 of The Santa Juana Mine

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/18/11 -- ECU Silver Mining Inc. (TSX: ECU) is pleased to announce that it has opened another vein on the main entrance level of the Santa Juana mine located in the main Velardena Property.

The DD vein was recently opened on level 12 over a strike length of 114 meters grading 3.82 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au), 387 g/t silver (Ag), 1.25% lead and 0.48% zinc over an average width of 0.53 meters, including a 12 meters section that graded 4.12 g/t Au and 439 g/t Ag over 1.51 meters. This vein was opened as part of a program to verify the continuity of veins found in the lower levels of the Santa Juana mine which had not been previously verified except by a few drill holes. In this case, the vein was included in the NI 43-101 compliant resources as inferred resources.

Michel Roy, CEO and Chairman of ECU stated, 'Once again, opening the known veins on the upper levels has yielded very interesting results. These confirm the success of one of the recent strategy of the Company which has been to explore and develop the upper portions of the veins found in the deeper levels of the mine. Except for the Santa Juana vein which was mined from surface, practically all other veins, 25 of them identified to date, have the potential to be extended from the lower levels of the mine which could add up to 250 meters of vertical extension to the whole system. Not only would this have a significant impact on the resources, should it be confirmed, but it would alter significantly any projected development program as it is so easily accessible from existing mine developments.'

Additional Information

Readers are cautioned that until a prefeasibility study is completed, there are no assurances these latest mineralized zones will be economically viable.

All widths are true widths. Samples were assayed at the ERSA laboratory in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Mr. Michel Roy, P. Geo., a 'qualified person' within the meaning of NI 43-101, prepared the technical information disclosed in this news release.

About ECU Silver

ECU Silver Mining Inc. is focused on the exploration, development and mining of gold, silver and base metals at its Velardena District Properties in Durango, Mexico. The Company holds a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource of 40 million silver equivalent (0.6 million gold equivalent) ounces in the measured and indicated category and 391 million silver equivalent (6.0 million gold equivalent) ounces in the inferred category. The Company also owns two mills with a combined capacity of 820 tonnes per day. ECU's mission is to become a pre-eminent silver and gold producer through the development of its existing and potential mineral resources at Velardena.

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including potential property acquisitions, the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, geological interpretations, proposed production rates, potential mineral recovery processes and rates, the proposed construction of a mill, business and financing plans, business trends and future operating revenues. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, significant downward variations in the market price of any minerals produced, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for their activities, to produce minerals from their properties successfully or profitably, to continue their projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement their business strategies. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release.

Contacts:

ECU Silver Mining Inc.

Michel Roy

Chairman and CEO

Torreon, Mexico

011 52 871 747 5750


ECU Silver Mining Inc.

Stephen Altmann

President

Toronto, Canada

(416) 366-2428


ECU Silver Mining Inc.

Mark Butler

Investor Relations

Toronto, Canada

1 888 513 3444