VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2011) - Northern Lion Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Northern Lion") (News - Market indication)(FRANKFURT:N3E) wishes to announce that the 2011 Diamond drill program has commenced on the Company's permits within the Republic of Cyprus.

Hy-Tech Drilling Ltd. of Smithers, BC, Canada, will continue as the Company's contractor, as the drilling equipment was stored in Cyprus after the completion of the 2010 program.

Drilling will commence on the Pitha project where the recently completed Induced Polarization ("IP") survey has outlined several new targets and expanded the area of some previously recognized mineralized zones.

The second target to be drill tested will be the Anglesides project where highly significant gold values were recently reported (news release September 15, 2010) from soil sampling. The IP program is ongoing and has identified additional anomalies on the St. Nik and Asproyia projects. 

History

The history of mineral exploitation (copper, gold and other metals) on the island of Cyprus dates back to the Bronze Age, approximately 5,000 years ago. The Phoenicians were the first to process copper on the island, followed by the Romans and this activity has continued to the present day. The evidence of this long history of mining is readily observed in the abundant ancient surface and underground workings along with extensive slag heaps. Mineral exploration in the Republic of Cyprus has been at a very low level over the last few decades, and management believes that there is a high probability of additional massive sulphide bodies being present that did not outcrop, as nearly all of the known deposits did.

The metal deposits of Cyprus are dominantly copper-bearing volcanogenic hosted massive sulphide "VHMS" deposits. These deposits are hosted within the pillow lava sequence of the Troodos Ophiolite Complex. The pillow lava sequence is divided into Upper and Lower Pillow Lavas, with the majority of massive sulphide bodies located along the contact between pillow lava sequences, and the remainder between the Lower Pillow Lavas and the Basal Group. All of the Company's applications overlie these important contacts. Gold mineralization associated with the massive sulphide ores has not historically been evaluated.

Quality Control and Assurance

The Company's field activities in Cyprus are under the direction of Jim Chapman, P.Geo. (BC), consultant to the Company and "qualified person", as defined by National Instrument 43-101, who is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

About Northern Lion

Northern Lion Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Frankfurt Exchange. The Company is committed to building a strong portfolio of projects within mining-friendly and infrastructure-rich areas of Europe.

In addition to its exploration permits in Cyprus, the Company holds a 100% interest in its Moura Licence in Portugal and a 100% interest in one project in the historic Bergslagen mining district of southern Sweden.

NORTHERN LION GOLD CORP.

John Lando, President

This news release includes "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, the success of exploration activities and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; potential defects in title to the Company's properties; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.