Atna Resources Ltd. Reports Strong Production at Briggs Mine

GOLDEN, Colo., Oct. 6 /CNW/ -- Atna Resources Ltd. ("Atna") - (TSX: ATN - OTC Bulletin Board: ATNAF) is pleased to report strong operating results at the Briggs Mine for the third quarter ending September 30, 2010. The following results are in comparison to results reported for the second quarter ending June 30, 2010.

-- Gold contained in mined ore increased by 88% to 12,390 ounces

-- Total tons mined increased by 5% to 2.7 million short tons

-- Gold in crushed ore placed on the leach pad increased by 44% to 10,300 ounces

-- Gold sales increased by 10% to 6,190 ounces

-- The average price for gold sold was $1,201, an increase of 3%

-- Gold dore produced for the first three quarters of 2010 totaled 17,160 ounces

"We are very pleased with operations at Briggs for the third quarter. Mine productivity has improved and we expect to see continued strong production results in the fourth quarter. Through September 30, we have placed 6,000 ounces on the leach pads that will be recoverable in the fourth quarter. This is over 50 percent of our estimated quarter's production. We remain confident that our second quarter estimate for gold production in 2010 of 25,000 to 30,000 ounces at Briggs will be achieved," stated James Hesketh, President & CEO.

Strong production results from the mine are a result of increased mining productivity and a 41 percent increase in ore grade for the period. Improved mine productivity resulted from a stronger focus on equipment availability and opening up new working faces which made the available equipment more efficient. Mine activities in the first half of the quarter focused on waste stripping to increase ore sources. This resulted in increased ore tons and grade delivered to the crusher in the second half of the quarter. Recovered gold production lagged ore deliveries for the third quarter as initial gold recovery from ores placed on the leach pad occurs 30 to 40 days after placement. The majority of the ounces placed in the second half of the third quarter will be recoverable in the fourth quarter.

For additional information on Atna Resources and the Briggs Mine, please visit our website at www.atna.com.



This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical fact. They are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: gold production at the Briggs Mine, the Company might encounter problems such as the significant depreciation of metal prices; accidents and other risks associated with mining exploration and development operations; the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors; the Company's need for and ability to obtain additional financing; the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration and development programs; and the other risk factors discussed in greater detail in the Company's various filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) with Canadian securities regulators and its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 2009 Form 20-F dated March 26, 2010.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

James Hesketh, President and CEO - (303) 278-8464
Valerie Kimball, Investor Relations - toll free (877) 692-8182
www.atna.com