Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sterling Mining to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Commemorate Production at the Sunshine Mine

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Wallace, Idaho -- March 13, 2008 -- (Marketwire) -- Sterling Mining Company (TSX: SMQ / OTCBB: SRLM / FSE: SMX) will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, March 26, 2008, to formally celebrate the Sunshine Mine's return to production, which occurred in December 2007. Sterling Mining is encouraging community members to join team members, associates, shareholders, media and local state and business leaders at the ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. at the Sunshine Mine in Kellogg, Idaho.

Sterling Mining is proud to welcome Idaho State Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter to speak at the ceremony. Governor Otter will discuss the positive impacts of Sterling Mining's local and international business on Idaho's state economy.

"We are honored to host the Governor," said Ray De Motte, President and CEO. "This is a proud day and we are excited to share our story with this community. The team we have here is special, and we obviously couldn't have done it without them."

Sterling Mining Company acquired the rights to the mine and related assets in mid-2003, and officially commenced production in December of 2007. Many former employees, each with over 25 years experience at the mine, were rehired and hold senior positions at the Sunshine Mine, including Jimmy Campbell, Mine Maintenance Superintendent, Steve Gravelle, Electrical Supervisor, Tom Boylan, Mill Foreman and Environmental Management Advisor, Bob Launhardt. Sterling also celebrates over one hundred years in business, having been founded in its hometown of Wallace, Idaho in 1903. Sterling thanks the people of Shoshone County and the Shoshone County Commissioners for their gracious support and encouragement and last but not least, the Mayor of Wallace, Ron Garitone.

The Sunshine Mine has produced from 1884 until its closure in 2001. Sterling Mining is committed to achieving long term sustainable production at the mine for the benefit of its team, shareholders, and the community.

About Sterling Mining Company
Sterling Mining controls the Sunshine Mine, which began initial production in December 2007, and related exploration lands in the prolific Silver Valley of northern Idaho. The Company also holds several silver properties in Mexico, including the Barones Tailings Project in the Zacatecas Silver District. Shares of Sterling Mining Company trade on the TSX under the symbol "SMQ", on the OTCBB under the symbol "SRLM", and also on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "SMX".

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, visit the Company's website at www.SterlingMining.com or contact:

Sterling Mining Company
www.SterlingMining.com
Raymond De Motte, President or
Monique Hayes, Marketing/Communications
Tel: (208) 699-6097

CHF Investor Relations
www.chfir.com
Alison Tullis, Account Manager
Tel: (416) 868-1079 x233
alison@chfir.com

To receive Sterling news via email, please email sarah@chfir.com and specify "SMQ news" in the subject line.

Cautionary Language and Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements", which are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Investors are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and results. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities authorities.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities, and contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable but that are subject to uncertainties and business risks. Actual results relating to any and all of these subjects may differ materially from expected results. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include economic and political events, the ability to raise capital in the financial markets, and other factors discussed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent 10-Q and 8-K filings.