Vancouver, B.C., September 20th, 2011. Empire Mining Corporation (EPC: TSX-V) ("Empire") is pleased to report the final assay results for the remaining drill holes from Phase I drilling at the Demirtepe copper-gold-silver-molybdenum project located in western Turkey, where drilling in the Main Zone has consistently intercepted significant shallow mineralization in every hole completed. The most recent assays include the following significant copper-gold-silver and molybdenum intersections:
SIGNIFICANT COPPER-GOLD-SILVER INTERCEPTS
Hole DHT-034
- from 40.00 to 53.00 metres - 13.00 m of 1.16% Copper, 0.44 gpt Gold and 16.10 gpt Silver; including from 48.00 to 53.00 metres - 5.00 m of 2.63% Copper, 0.80 gpt Gold and 37.20 gpt Silver; including from 51.00 to 53.00 metres - 2.00 m of 5.37% Copper, 1.61 gpt Gold, 76.00 gpt Silver and 0.07% Molybdenum;
- from 146.60 to 165.00 metres - 18.40 m of 2.26% Copper, 1.27 gpt Gold and 27.30 gpt Silver; including from 150.60 to 156.60 metres - 6.00 metres of 5.23% Copper, 3.03 gpt Gold and 63.20 gpt Silver.
Hole DHT-032
- from 90.40 to 96.00 metres - 5.60 m of 3.88% Copper, 0.69 gpt Gold and 31.90 gpt Silver;
- from 119.70 to 121.00 metres - 1.30 m of 4.99% Copper, 1.21 gpt Gold and 67.50 gpt Silver;
- from 134.00 to 143.40 metres - 9.40 m of 3.58% Copper, 0.95 gpt Gold and 37.80 gpt Silver; including from 138.50 to 141.60 metres - 3.10 m of 8.49% Copper, 1.94 gpt Gold and 87.10 gpt Silver.
Hole DHT-026
- from 60.00 to 61.00 metres - 1.00 m of 23.10% Copper, 2.00 gpt Gold, 345 gpt Silver and 0.095% Molybdenum.
SIGNIFICANT MOLYBDENUM INTERCEPTS
Hole DHT-012
- from 198.00 to 213.10 metres - 15.10 m of 0.224% Molybdenum.
Hole DHT-026
- from 123.00 to 131.00 metres - 8.00 m of 0.113% Molybdenum;
- from 159.00 to 161.00 metres - 2.00 m of 0.108% Molybdenum.
Hole DHT-030
- from 109.40 to 112.00 metres - 2.60 m of 0.427% Molybdenum;
- from 146.00 to 155.00 metres - 9.00 m of 0.412% Molybdenum; including from 154.00 to 155.00 metres - 1.00 m of 1.895% Molybdenum.
Hole DHT-032
- from 72.10 to 74.00 meters - 1.90 m of 0.465% Molybdenum;
- from 198.20 to 200.50 meters - 2.30 m of 0.269% Molybdenum.
All 21 drill-holes in the Main Zone are mineralized with copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. The Main Zone is a structurally-defined block, 350 metres long by 100 metres wide by 150 metres deep, on average. Copper, gold, silver and molybdenum are hosted by wollastonite (a calcium silicate mineral with several industrial uses), or by a mix of wollastonite and garnet, so that virtually all the material in the Main Zone contains saleable product.
Three maps: drill holes plotted against geology, the surface projection of mineralization in the Main Zone, and a longitudinal section of the Main Zone, are available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-20-maps.pdf
Several photos of drill core are available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-20-photos.pdf
A table of mineralized intercepts for the entire Phase I drilling campaign is available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-20-table.pdf
Of particular interest is the evidence of what appears to be a high grade feeder zone in DHT-026, with 23% copper and 345 gpt silver. Also, the contribution from molybdenum is more than previously thought.
Some assaying is still in progress on the outlying holes, where there is less evidence of visible mineralization that formed the basis for assaying priority. Of note, is the intersection of 2.3% zinc over 25.3 metres from hole from DHT-002A.
All Main Zone drill core has been re-logged for wollastonite content and quality type, and specific gravity determinations are ongoing with a view to completing an initial NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate for copper-gold-silver-molybdenum and wollastonite qualities in the fall.
The next phase of drilling at Demirtepe is planned to commence in the fall and will be focused on testing the new targets identified from geochemistry and geophysics carried out in the newly discovered Southwest Zone which Empire has interpreted as a possible location of the source porphyry system that is the driver for the skarn mineralization at Demirtepe.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
All core was sawn in half with sample widths determined by geology and mineralization. Individual samples within visible mineralization did not exceed 1.0 m, while the maximum sample interval was 2.0 m. Samples were bagged, security tagged and sent to the ALS Chemex sample preparation facility in Izmir, Turkey 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
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information contact:
Investor Relations
(604) 634-0970, or
1 888 818-1364
info@empireminingcorp.com
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 Empire undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.