Empire Makes Significant New Discovery-Drilling at Bursa Project Intersects 47.35m of 2.02% Copper, 0.96g/t Gold and 21.64g/t Silver including 8m of 9.1% Copper, 4.68g/t Gold and 95.3g/t Silver

Empire Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE:EPC) ("Empire") is pleased to announce drilling results for the first hole completed on the Demirtepe target at its Bursa project located in Turkey. Empire is earning a 65% interest in Bursa from Anatolia Minerals Development Limited. There are three identified porphyry target areas at Bursa of which Demirtepe is the second to be drill tested by Empire.

The scout drilling program of up to 1,000 meters in four holes at Demirtepe, which was first announced in November 2010, was designed to test copper-gold-molybdenum soil anomalies over an area of 1,500 by 500 meters.

However, given the very encouraging results received in the first hole, Empire has accelerated the drilling campaign and arranged for a second diamond drilling rig at Demirtepe, which has now commenced drilling. It is also anticipated that the current drilling campaign will be extended beyond the originally planned four holes.

The first hole DTH-001 was stopped at 202.10m as a result of drilling difficulties before reaching target depth where geophysical surveys identified an anomaly that could be attributed to a blind porphyry system. However, the hole intersected the following copper-gold-silver skarn mineralization as follows:

--  from 112.2m to 159.55m: 2.02%Cu, 0.96g/t Au, 21.64g/t Ag over a sampled
    width of 47.35m within which there are the following higher grade
    intercepts.

--  from 112.2m to 117.55m: 2.09% copper, 0.72/t gold, 22.6g/t silver over a
    sampled width of 5.35m

--  from 127.4m to 130.55m: 0.78% copper, 0.26g/t gold, 8.9g/t silver over a
    sampled width of 3.15m

--  from 140.3m to 153.0m: 6.29% copper, 3.1g/t gold, 66.1g/t silver over a
    sampled width of 12.7m

--  the above zone includes; from 140.3m to 148.3: 9.1% copper, 4.68g/t
    gold, 95.3g/t silver over a sampled width of 8.0m

--  from 158.55 to 159.55: 2.49% copper, 0.63g/t gold, 25.2g/t silver over a
    sampled width of 1.00m

Visible mineralization occurs in skarn, marble and wollastonite (a mineral used in ceramics) and consists of bornite, with subordinate chalcopyrite (both copper minerals) forming intergrowths with wollastonite. Wollastonite is present though an estimated 25% of the hole length and appears to be a receptive host for copper. Lower grades are scattered throughout the remainder of the hole, but individual assays are generally below 0.2% copper. The drill-hole appears to have intercepted the copper mineralization at an angle approximate to true widths. An interpretive section based on the drillhole log and surface mapping can be viewed on the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-01-18-xsection.pdf

The drill rig has been moved approximately 100m south to drill on the interpreted structural trend. The second drill rig has commenced drilling at another copper-gold anomaly located 700m from hole DTH-001.

A target map plotting drill-holes against soil geochemistry can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-01-18-map.pdf

Photos of the drill core can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-01-18-photos.pdf

Skarn ore deposits are important contributors to enhanced grades in porphyry copper orebodies. Notable examples include Grasberg (Indonesia), Bingham Canyon, (USA) and, in the Tethyan Belt, Recsk (Hungary). They are formed by reaction between carbonate host and intrusive rocks accompanied by mineralizing fluids.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

All core was sawn in half with sample widths determined by geology and mineralization. Individual samples within visible mineralisation did not exceed 1.0m, while the maximum sample interval was 2.0m. Samples were bagged, security tagged and sent to the ALS Chemex sample preparation facility in Izmir and, following preparation, to the ALS Chemex laboratory in Vancouver. Gold was determined by fire assay with AA finish, ore grade repeats were run with ICP-AES and a total of 33 elements determined by ICP after four acid digestion. Blank, replicate and Certified Reference Material made up approximately 15% of the batch. Additional check assays are under consideration, as is the acquisition of certified reference material in the higher grade range of the received assays.

Empire's Qualified Person, David C. Cliff, BSc (Hons), MIMMM, C Eng, FGS, also Empire's President & CEO, has reviewed and approved the content of this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

David Cliff, President & CEO

This release contains forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"), respecting Empire's exploration plans. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation the ability to acquire necessary permits and other authorizations; environmental compliance; cost increases; availability of qualified workers; competition for mining properties; risks associated with exploration projects, mineral reserve and resource estimates (including the risk of assumption and methodology errors); dependence on third parties for services; non-performance by contractual counterparties; title risks; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the timing and receipt of required approvals; availability of financing; power prices; ability to procure equipment and supplies; and ongoing relations with employees, partners and joint venturers. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and we undertake no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

SOURCE: Empire Mining Corporation

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