Avanti Responds and Will Oppose Judicial Review Application by Nisga'a Nation

VANCOUVER, BC -- (Marketwired - Aug 2, 2013) - Avanti Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AVT) (PINKSHEETS: AVNMF) through its wholly owned subsidiary Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. ("Avanti" or the "Company") has received notice of a petition filed by the Nisga'a Nation, challenging a decision by the BC Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") that granted an Environmental Assessment Certificate to the Kitsault Mine Project. Avanti intends to oppose this petition.

On March 18, 2013 Avanti was granted an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the Province of British Columbia for the Kitsault Mine. A federal environmental assessment decision is pending. The Nisga'a Nation has filed a petition with the BC Supreme Court against the ministers of Environment, Energy Mines and Natural Gas and the British Columbia government.

"This action taken by the Nisga'a Nation is disappointing." said Craig Nelsen, President and CEO of Avanti Mining Inc. "However we are confident that the Province's EA process is robust and that all environmental and human health issues have been thoroughly addressed -- years of assessment and thousands of pages tell us so."

Avanti is also confident that all legal requirements -- including those in the Nisga'a treaty -- have been more than addressed. "While legally exempt from the BC Environmental Assessment process due to its pre-existing mine permit, Avanti voluntarily opted in because of the strong track record of EAO addressing aboriginal and treaty rights," continued Mr. Nelsen.

"We believe this project can offer tremendous training and employment opportunities for Nisga'a citizens and others, and we are committed to moving forward with this," said Mr. Nelsen.

The project has a high degree of environmental protection. It includes extensive monitoring and protection measures, as well as water treatment if required. These were all developed through the EA process. The process also included a comprehensive Environmental, Social & Cultural Impact Assessment (ESCIA) done specifically with respect to the Nisga'a. This was done with extensive input from and in consultation with the Nisga'a.

Mr. Nelsen concluded by stating, "We have full confidence in the BC environmental assessment process. The courts have repeatedly found it sufficient to meet the Crown's duty to aboriginal groups and no decision of the Environmental Assessment Office has ever ultimately been overturned by the courts."

The Company is focused on the development of the past producing Kitsault molybdenum mine located north of Prince Rupert in British Columbia.


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.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking information concerning the business of Avanti Mining Inc. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the Company's plans to participate in and oppose the petition of the Nisga'a, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the opinions of management at the date the statements are made and are based on assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties inherent in litigation matters, the need for the cooperation of government agencies and native groups and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is available at www.sedar.com. The Company is under no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's opinions should change, excepting as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.



Contact

For further information, please visit www.avantimining.com, or contact:

Avanti Mining Inc.
Craig J. Nelsen, President & CEO
720-280-9450

A.J. Ali, Chief Financial Officer
604-620-7670, extension 222

Mark G. Premo, Chief Operating Officer
604-620-7670, extension 223