Pantera Silver Corp.TSXV: PNTR

Rothmans Inc. confirms DBRS downgrade of RBH ratings

· Issued by Pantera Silver Corp. via CNW
Trading:  TSX:  ROC

TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - Rothmans Inc. confirmed that Dominion Bond
Rating Service (DBRS) has today downgraded the ratings of its 60%-owned
operating subsidiary Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. (RBH) following the recent
decision of the Supreme Court of Canada dismissing the constitutional
challenge of the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act (British
Columbia) brought by RBH and others. RBH's commercial paper debt has been
downgraded to R-2 (high) from R-1 (low) and its senior unsecured debt has been
downgraded to BBB(high) from A(low), with both ratings receiving a negative
trend. The DBRS press release is available at www.dbrs.com.
The ratings downgrade does not result in a requirement for the repayment,
in whole or in part, of RBH's $150 million Series A Bonds due December 21,
2011. RBH's cash flows from its operations are sufficient to fund RBH's
ongoing operations, including the interest payments on these bonds.