I don't have my books with me and I do not have time to search the SRD, but I have a pretty strong recollection of a sage ruling in 3.0 that was incorporated into 3.5 regarding this issue. I thought the rule was that you treat mithril armor as if it were one category lighter for specified purposes, but in terms of proficiency from feats or class restrictions, the armor is treated as if it were its normal category of weight. So, mithril full plate 'feels' like medium armor, but it remains heavy armor for proficiency purposes and class limitations.
I'd wait until someone goes through the books before accepting any answer as final.