39% Increase of Deacon Indicated Mineral Resource to 157.4 Million Lbs
Lanfranchi Nickel Mine, Kambalda District of Western Australia

January 14, 2009

Vancouver, B.C. - Brilliant Mining Corp. (BMC: TSXV) (�Brilliant� or the �Company�) today reported an updated Deacon Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource from its 25% owned Lanfranchi Nickel Mine, located in the world class Kambalda Nickel District of Western Australia.

Key Point Summary:

• 39% increase in Indicated Mineral Resource at the Deacon ore body to 2.44 Mt at 2.93% for 71,400t (157.4 MLbs) of Ni metal
• 250m down plunge extension of Indicated Mineral Resource
• Almost total conversion of Inferred to Indicated Mineral Resource
• Detailed mine plan to convert Indicated Resource into Ore Reserve status is currently underway
• 4.14 Mt at 2.63% Global Lanfranchi Mine Mineral Resource for 109,000t (240.1 Mlbs) of Ni metal

Deacon Ore Body Resource Update

Following the completion of 7,844 metres (m) of additional infill and down-plunge extensional drilling at Deacon, a revised Mineral Resource estimate reported a 39% increase in the Indicated Mineral Resource category to 2.44 Mt at 2.93% for 71,400t (157.4 MLbs) of Ni metal (See Table 1).  This represents a 250m down plunge extension of the Indicated Mineral Resource as well as almost total conversion of Inferred to Indicated Mineral Resource (See Figure 1).

Detailed mine plans to convert this resource in to Ore Reserve status is currently underway.  Previous resources to reserve conversion at Deacon have achieved conversion rates of 95% on a nickel metal basis.

Table 1: Deacon Mineral Resource Estimate � 100% Basis*

Notes:
1. Resources estimated at 1.0% Ni cut-off
2. All mineralized zone interpretations were reviewed and modified where necessary by BM Geological Services Pty Ltd (BMGS) in consultation with Lanfranchi Joint Venture staff prior to resource estimation.
3. BMGS believes that the current geological models are fundamentally sound and provides an appropriate basis for mine planning and project evaluation.
4. Additional notes detailing with the Resource Estimation Parameters utilized are listed at the bottom of this press release
*. 25% of the reported Mineral Resource is attributable to Brilliant Mining

Lanfranchi Project Global Resource Update

The revised Deacon Mineral Resource estimate has correspondingly upgraded the Lanfranchi Project global  Mineral Resource estimate to 4.14 Mt at 2.63% for 108,900t (240.1 MLbs) of Ni metal in the Indicated category (See Table 2).

Table 2: Lanfranchi Project Mineral Resource Estimate � 100% Basis*

Notes: See July 31, 2008 Company press release for details
* 25% of the reported Mineral Resource is attributable to Brilliant Mining

Deacon Down Plunge Delineation Drill Program

The resource delineation drill program from the Deacon 5920 hanging wall dedicated drill drive was completed in December 2008.  A total of 43 drill holes comprising 7,844m were completed and form the basis for the revised Mineral Resource estimate.  The latest drill program in-filled the previously defined Mineral Resource sufficiently to permit most of the Inferred Resource to be classified as Indicated. The drilling also extended the Deacon Indicated Mineral Resource beyond the previous Mineral Resource Limit for an additional 150m down-plunge to the south. 

Figure 1: Deacon Resource 3-D Model in Long Section

Significant Drill Intercepts Down-Plunge of Reserve limit include:

• 2.87% Ni over 24.6m
• 3.27% Ni over 25.8m
• 2.68% Ni over 22.2m
• 2.60% Ni over 19.3m; over 200m down-plunge of Reserve limit

Drill results for the three holes completed on Section 513425mN (275m down-plunge of Deacon Reserve limit) contrast from the fence drilled on Section 513475mN indicating either a possible change in orientation, structural dislocation or an apparent termination of the mineralization.  The small number of pierce points on the last drill section does not provide a clear interpretation.  Further drilling is required to determine the continuation of the mineralized channel.

The project is supervised by John Williamson, P.Geol., of Edmonton, Alberta. Mr. Williamson is CEO and a Director of Brilliant, and is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

**Table 1 Notes:
The Deacon Mineral Resource Estimate, which is JORC-compliant, has been prepared by BM Geological Services Pty Ltd and Lanfranchi Nickel Mines personnel; and has been reconciled to the mineral resource and mineral reserve categories as set out by and adopted by the CIM Council. The estimate is based on a 3D Surpac block model utilizing a block size of 10m NS x 10m EW x 2m vertical with 5.0m x 5.0m x 1.0m sub-cells. The model comprises 152 underground diamond drill holes for a total of 21725m of diamond drilling with a total of 6297 core samples collected. All holes have been accurately located using theodolite survey instruments and down-hole �Reflex EZ Shot� survey cameras.  Grade interpolation is by Inverse Distance techniques using an oriented search ellipse based on the geometry of the mineralization. Models for validation and verification have also been completed using Ordinary Kriged interpolations. 

The tonnes and grade of the Mineral Resource estimate is the material constrained within the interpreted mineralization wireframes which were constructed on sectional interpretations no greater than at 50m centres (infill drilled areas provided for the construction of sectional interpretations at 25 and 12.5m centers) to a 1.0% Ni cut-off grade.  When present, high grade massive nickel sulphide mineralization was domained separately.

The Deacon Mineral Resource is largely classified as Indicated due to the good continuity of the mineralization, the adequate drill hole spacing and the confidence gained from QA/QC checks and data validation.  A small zone of mineralization at the extremities of the resource has been classified as Inferred due to the lack of sample support and/or poor continuity of grade and lithological controls.

All core samples collected have been half cored using a diamond saw. The minimum sample size was set at 20cm and the maximum sample size was set at 1.00m.  KalAssay Laboratories in Kalgoorlie (KalAssay) have completed all assaying of the samples collected by LNM. The analytical technique employed to analyze all samples is a 4 acid digest with an ICP finish.

About Brilliant Mining Corp.

Brilliant Mining Corp. is focused on the production, development and exploration of nickel opportunities world wide. The Company currently has a 25% interest in the producing Lanfranchi Nickel Mine in Western Australia and has the Michikamau nickel project in central Labrador, Canada. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors

�Mike Sieb�
Mike Sieb, B.Sc., MBA
President

Brilliant Mining Corp.

For further information about Brilliant Mining Corp., or this news release, please visit our website at www.brilliantmining.com, or contact:

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain disclosures in this release, including management's assessment of Brilliant�s plans and projects, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to Brilliant's operation as a mineral exploration company that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Brilliant expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.