Southern Arc Provides Drilling Results from Bising Target � Mencanggah Prospect

February 16, 2012 � Vancouver, BC � Southern Arc Minerals (TSX-V: SA, OTCQX: SOACF) (�Southern Arc� or �the Company�) is pleased to provide Phase 1 drilling results from the Bising target in the Mencanggah Prospect on Southern Arc�s West Lombok Property.

Assay results have been received for drill holes MCG028 to MCG035, as summarized in Table 1 and Figure 1. All intersections are reported as down-hole lengths. A total of eight holes totaling 2,285.7 metres have been completed to date in the Phase 1 program at the Bising target. Highlight drilling intercepts include:

MCG028
51.3 m @ 1.5 g/t gold from 35.6 m
including  5.1 m @ 3.5 g/t gold from 53.4 m
3.8 m @ 4.9 g/t gold from 60.2 m

MCG030
39.0 m @ 1.8 g/t gold from 34.0 m
including  9.7 m @ 4.9 g/t gold and 5.9 g/t silver from 56.3 m
0.3 m @ 89.0 g/t gold and 27.6 g/t silver from 69.2 m

MCG031
4.4 m @ 2.1 g/t gold and 7.3 g/t silver from 74.2 m
0.8 m @ 47.7 g/t gold and 13.2 g/t silver from 156.8 m

MCG032
37.8 m @ 1.0 g/t gold from 11.7 m
including  3.0 m @ 2.7 g/t gold from 19.0 m
4.8 m @ 4.0 g/t gold from 25.2 m

Bising is a high-priority drilling target for Southern Arc based on the presence of significant surface channel intercepts from banded and brecciated chalcedonic-quartz vein structures, including 5.0 m @ 12.2 g/t gold, 2.0 m @ 228.0 g/t gold and 5.0 m @ 5.22 g/t gold.

�Initial drill results indicate that gold mineralization continues at depth in the Bising target,� said Dr. Mike Andrews, Chief Operating Officer of Southern Arc. �Given the impressive width of the main mineralized structure and the extensive network of offshoots and intersecting structures, Southern Arc will make Bising a high-priority target when full-scale exploration resumes at the West Lombok property.�

The extensive width (up to 66 metres) of the main Bising epithermal body is inferred to result from the intersection of geological structures: a major west-northwest trending structure and several north-northwest trending structures, the latter of which form the dominant gold mineralized trend in the district. Drill holes were located at 100 m drill spacings to test the main Bising epithermal structural body, its extensions, and intersections with several crossing structures.

Further drilling is warranted to map out these broad silification zones, which have large tonnage potential. Closer-spaced drilling is required to determine the orientation and continuity of higher-grade gold zones. Southern Arc will prioritize additional drilling of the Bising target when the Company resumes full-scale exploration upon receipt of its Pinjam/Pakai forestry permit. In the interim, the Company is focused on exploration of epithermal gold targets to the northwest of the property and copper-gold porphyry targets to the southeast and northeast of the property.

On behalf of the Board of
Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

�John Proust�

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

About Southern Arc

Southern Arc Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an aggressive exploration, acquisition and growth strategy. The Company�s portfolio includes four exploration projects with epithermal gold and gold-copper porphyry prospects on the Lombok and Sumbawa islands in Indonesia, three of which are being advanced in partnership with major mining companies Vale and Newcrest. The Company�s key exploration property is its West Lombok project, with several gold-rich copper porphyry and epithermal gold vein prospects. Southern Arc is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SA and on the OTCQX International under the symbol SOACF. More information is available at www.southernarcminerals.com or by emailing info@southernarcminerals.com.

Southern Arc Contact

Rhylin Bailie
Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations
North American toll-free: 1-855-676-5241
Email: info@southernarcminerals.com

Qualified Person

The technical information in this document has been reviewed by Southern Arc�s Chief Geologist, Andrew Rowe, B. App. Sc. Geology, MAusIMM. Mr. Rowe has over 18 years of international mineral exploration experience throughout Southeast and Central Asia and Australia. During this time he has held such positions as Principal Geologist � Feasibility Studies, Senior Geologist and Consulting Geologist. The technical information in this document has also been reviewed by Southern Arc�s President & Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Mike Andrews, PhD, FAusIMM, who has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization under consideration and qualifies as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

The drill program and sampling protocol is managed by Southern Arc under the supervision of Andrew Rowe. The diamond drill holes are drilled at PQ, HQ and NQ sizes depending on hole depth and core recovery to date has averaged 98.0%. Half core is cut by rock saw and is generally sampled using nominal 1-metre intervals; however, sample intervals are varied according to geological contacts and have ranged between 0.2 to 2.5 metres in length. Three quality control samples (one blank and two standards) are inserted into each batch of 40 samples. The half core samples are securely transported from the project site to the Intertek Testing Services (�ITS�) sample preparation laboratory in Sumbawa Besar via private truck hired by Southern Arc. Sample pulps are then sent to the ITS Jakarta laboratory by ITS. Gold is analysed by fire assay with AAS finish and a four-acid digestion with ICP-MS finish is used to analyse a full suite of elements including silver and base metals. ITS is one of the world�s largest product and commodity testing, inspection and certification organizations. The Jakarta laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited and employs a Laboratory Information Management System for sample tracking, quality control and reporting.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and operations, timing of projects and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, the need to obtain permits, the need to work with local communities and authorities to advance the properties, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company�s ability to execute and implement future plans. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. There is no representation by the Company that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as that forecast.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Figure 1 � Mencanggah Prospect, Bising Target, Phase 1 Drill Hole Targets