Crystallex Awards EPCM Contract for the Las Cristinas Project TORONTO, March 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crystallex International Corporation (Amex: KRY; TSX) announced today that, following a competitive bidding process, it has awarded to SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors Inc. ("SLE&C") the Engineering Procurement Construction Management ("EPCM") contract for its 100% controlled Las Cristinas gold project in Bolivar State, Venezuela. SLE&C has been extensively involved in the Las Cristinas project since early in the year 2003 and completed a full feasibility study for a 20,000 tonne per day operation using conventional mining and gold processing technology. The SLE&C feasibility study was presented to the Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana ("CVG") in September of 2003 and was formally approved by the CVG on March 8th of this year. Crystallex expects to pay SLE&C approximately C$27.75 million for its services under the EPCM contract. Todd Bruce, Crystallex President and CEO stated, "We arevery pleased to be continuing our relationship with SLE&C at Las Cristinas. SLE&C's recognized expertise in the industry, its intimate familiarity with the Las Cristinas project, and the relationship that has been established between our respective teams during the completion of the feasibility study will allow us to launch quickly into the EPCM process. We have already presented to the CVG the Environmental Impact Study, and we will now work closely with SLE&C and the CVG to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for Las Cristinas. At this point we certainly see the development process accelerating." SLE&C and its affiliates ("SNCL") have significant experience working in South American countries, and SNCL maintains a permanent office in Caracas. SNCL is well known for its successful gold project experience, having been involved in the successful design and construction of major gold projects such as Pierina, Peru; La Coipa, Chile; Bulyanhulu, Tanzania and numerous other projects. Additionally, SNCL has completed over 30 major studies and projects in Venezuela over the past 25 years. About Crystallex Crystallex International Corporation is a Canadian based gold producer with significant operations and exploration properties in Venezuela. The Company's principal asset is the Las Cristinas property in Bolivar State which is currently under development. Other key assets include the Tomi Mine, the La Victoria Mine and the Revemin Mill. Crystallex shares trade on the TSX and AMEX Exchanges. Visit us on the Internet: http://www.crystallex.com/ NOTE: This may include certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this presentation, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Crystallex, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents, including but not limited to its annual information form ("AIF") and its annual report on Form 20-F, filed from time to time with the Canadian provincial securities regulators, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and other regulatory authorities. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed this release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. DATASOURCE: Crystallex International Corporation CONTACT: A. Richard Marshall, VP of Crystallex International Corporation, +1-800-738-1577, or Web site: http://www.crystallex.com/

Copyright