Buenaventura Resumes Operations at the Orcopampa Mine

    LIMA, Peru, July 16 /EMWNews/ -- Compania de Minas

Buenaventura S.A.A. ("the Company" or "Buenaventura") (NYSE: BVN; Lima

Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Peru's largest, publicly traded, precious metals

mining company announced today that operations at the Orcopampa operating

unit resumed at 3:00 pm local time on July 16, 2008 after the Chilcaymarca

community suspended the blockade of the access road to the mine.



    The Chilcaymarca community and the Company, with the participation of

the Mining and Energy Ministry, are negotiating to avoid similar

disruptions going forward.



    Due to this event, the Orcopampa operating unit was unable to produce

approximately 4,000 gold ounces.



    Company Description



    Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Peru's largest, publicly

traded precious metals company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru.

The Company is engaged in the mining, processing, development and

exploration of gold and silver and other metals via wholly-owned mines as

well as through its participation in joint exploration projects.



    Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa,

Uchucchacua, Antapite, Julcani, Recuperada and Caraveli) and also has

controlling interests in two mining companies (CEDIMIN and El Brocal) as

well as a minority interest in several other mining companies in Peru. The

Company owns 43.65% in Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (a partnership with Newmont

Mining Corporation), an important precious metal producer, and 18.50% in

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer.



    To request a printed version of the Company's 2007 annual report on

20-F form contact the persons indicated below.



    Cautionary Statement



    This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the

meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and

Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are

intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Such

forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements

regarding future mining or permitting activities. Where Buenaventura

expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or

results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed

to have a reasonable basis. However, forward-looking statements are subject

to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results

to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by

such forward-looking statements. Such risks include those concerning the

Company's, Yanacocha's and Cerro Verde's costs and expenses, results of

exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing

market prices of gold, silver and other metals mined, the success of joint

ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production,

subsidiaries' plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and

Peruvian political, economical, legal and social developments. For a more

detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the company's 2007

Annual Report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the Securities and

Exchange Commission, as well as the company's other SEC filings.

Buenaventura does not undertake any obligation to release publicly

revisions to any "forward-looking statement," to reflect events or

circumstances after the date of this news release, or to reflect the

occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under

applicable securities laws.






    Visit our website: http://www.buenaventura.com



    Contacts in Lima:

    Roque Benavides / Carlos Galvez

    Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.

    Tel: (511) 419-2538 / 419-2540

    Investor Relations: Daniel Dominguez

    Tel: (511) 419-2536

    Email: [email protected]



    Contacts in New York:

    Maria Barona / Peter Majeski

    i-advize Corporate Communications, Inc.

    Tel: (212) 406-3690

    Email: [email protected]