Dec 5 (Reuters) - Sierra Metals Inc SMT.TO :
* SIERRA METALS REPORTS DELAY TO YAURICOCHA MINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE TAILINGS DEPOSITION FACILTY
* SIERRA METALS INC - AUTHORITIES DID NOT APPROVE EIA STUDY FOR EXPANSION OF TAILINGS DEPOSITION FACILITY AT YAURICOCHA MINE AT THIS TIME
* SIERRA METALS INC - BELIEVES REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WAS SUBMITTED, DEMONSTRATING COMPLETE FULFILLMENT OF ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR EIA STUDY APPROVAL
* SIERRA METALS INC - DELAY, IN MANAGEMENT VIEW, MAY NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT FUTURE PRODUCTION PLANS AT YAURICOCHA MINE OPERATIONS
* SIERRA METALS - DELAY COULD REPRESENT UP TO 7 PERCENT TEMPORARY SHORTFALL IN TOTAL DAILY ORE PRODUCTION VERSUS PROJECTIONS THAT WOULDN'T INCLUDE PERMIT DELAY
* SIERRA METALS INC - EXPANSION PLANS IN MEXICO TO 3,600 TPD AT BOLIVAR AND TO 1,200 TPD AT CUSI STILL ON TRACK, AND ON BUDGET TO BE COMPLETED IN Q1
* SIERRA METALS INC - CONFIDENT THAT CURRENT PERMIT DELAY IN PERU WILL BE RESOLVED