For Immediate Release

December 10, 2008

For Further Information Contact:

Ken Pavlich, President and C.E.O

info@ElCapitanPMi.com or (775) 201-0168

http://www.elcapitanpmi.com/ 

El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. Reports Additional Commercial Laboratory Results  

Reno, Nevada - El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. (OTC/BB:ECPN) reports that initial test work using fine grinding and chemical leaching has provided encouraging results for both assay and extraction efforts.  The four one-kilogram tests were comprised of material from two composite samples of the El Capitan deposit.  The average grade reported from the four tests was over 0.023 troy ounces of gold per ton (opt). 

Each sample was exposed to standard and elevated levels of sodium cyanide, a chemical leaching agent commonly employed in gold production.  In addition, the samples were subjected to extended leaching times in ceramic vessels containing ceramic grinding media, resulting in enhanced surface exposure of the rock sample to the leaching chemicals.  The solutions were clarified and then subjected to zinc precipitation and/or electro-winning for gold recovery.  The recovered material was then fire assayed and the resulting precious metal dor� beads were delivered to a major Canadian commercial laboratory for analysis.  Two of the four tests were unsuccessful at producing gold grades above 0.01 opt.  However the other two tests, representing one-kilogram samples of each of the two drilling interval composites used for the Company�s metallurgical R&D work showed an average gold grade of over 0.045 opt.

Mr. Ken Pavlich, ECPN�s C.E.O., stated, �We are very encouraged by these results for the following reasons:

1.      The results represent recoverable values using standard extraction techniques.  Recoverable grades typically represent 90% or less of in-place grades; indicating an upside potential for in-place resource grades.

2.      The samples used were each one kilogram in size, or more than 30 times the sample size of a standard assay sample, significantly reducing any �nugget effect� potential while providing greater statistical confidence in the results.

3.      The commercial lab determined the grade of the dor� beads produced in the tests using standard analytical techniques. 

4.      The reported grades are for gold only; and as such they do not represent a gold equivalent grade. 

These initial tests did not endeavor to recover and report silver or platinum group metals.  These efforts will follow in subsequent test work.�

This important milestone brings the Company�s metallurgical focus onto a standard gold industry assay and extraction procedure.  Unlike other techniques that have been investigated, such as tin collection, this procedure does not include the inherent risk of precious metal contamination from the reagents introduced as part of the process.

Further work over the coming months will focus on grind size, leaching time and temperature, and recovery of additional precious metals as funding becomes available.

The Company believes that these results provide an important incentive for investors and prospective partners to reassess the intrinsic value of the El Capitan deposit, as well as the exploration potential of the Company�s surrounding 7,000-acre land package, and its in-process, 2,000-acre drilling permit application. 

About El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc.   El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. is a U.S. based mineral exploration company whose primary asset is a 40% interest in the El Capitan precious metals project, located in Lincoln County, New Mexico. The Company�s stock trades on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol ECPN. 

Forward-Looking Statements  Statements herein which are not historical facts, such as estimates of the volume and grade of mineral deposits, future production levels, exploration results and plans, costs, and prices are "forward-looking statements", involving a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, expected or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, metals price and production volatility, exploration risks and results, discrepancies between different types of testing methods, some or all of which may not be industry standard, political risks, permitting risks, project development risks and ability to raise financing. To date, we have not established any precious metal reserves, and our ability to do so is dependent on the future success of our efforts to demonstrate the economic viability of all facets of our property.  For a more detailed discussion of risks and other factors that may impact these forward looking statements please refer to the Risk Factors and other discussion contained in the Company's quarterly and annual periodic reports on Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB on file with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements. 

For further information, please visit the company�s website at http://www.elcapitanpmi.com/ .