NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) May 3, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that its ratings and outlook on Coeur D'Alene Mines Corp. (B-/Stable/--) would not be affected by the company's announced merger with unrated Bolnisi Gold NL and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corp. Through the merger, Coeur will add measured and indicated resources totaling 89.3 million ounces of silver and 1 million ounces of gold located in Chihuahua, Mexico. While the transaction substantially adds to the company's reserve base and potentially will lower cash costs, the company's scope of operation will remain modest and undiversified. Moreover, the company is spending heavily to expand reserves and lower costs, but it faces meaningful challenges that constrain the rating, including volatile
