Empire Commences Drilling at Bulqiza 1440 Adit, Albania; Targets High-Grade Chromite

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Sept. 22, 2011) - Empire Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE: EPC) (“Empire“) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at the Bulqiza Deposit* which forms part of the Bulqiza-Batra Licence at Empire's wholly owned Bulqiza chromite project in Albania. Up to 12 diamond core holes totalling approximately 1,250 metres are planned at the 1440 adit and will target the fold structures identified by the geological reconstruction of historical state records and confirmed by a limited initial drilling program in 2010.

The 2010 drilling was carried-out from surface and intersected banded and massive chromite mineralization only some tens of metres above the 1440 adit. Work to rehabilitate the adit was therefore undertaken during the past year in order to provide access to drill sites in closer proximity to the fold structures where the highest chromite grades and thicknesses, and therefore tonnage potential, are interpreted to occur from the state data. The highest grades are to be expected close to the fold closures, while lower grade and banded ores generally occur on the fold flanges.

Various sections, maps and photos are available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-22-sections-maps-photos.pdf

In September 2010 Empire announced that Phase I drilling at the Bulqiza Deposit* had definitively confirmed the existence of the eastern mineralized extension of the fold structures (the “Eastern Limb“) controlling and hosting the chromite ores in the productive Bulqiza and Batra mines (the “Orebody“)* where recorded past production is about 20 million tonnes of high-grade (35%-42% Cr2O3) and high metallurgical quality (CrFe ratios of up to 3:1) ore. The drilling confirmed the Eastern Limb at both ends of the Orebody*, which extends over 2 km of strike and over an average width of 500 metres. A longitudinal view of the Orebody* can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-22-longitudinal.pdf

The 1440 adit extends south over a 5 km length from the Bulqiza end of the Orebody* to beyond the Batra end of the Orebody* providing valuable infrastructure for drilling, evaluation and potentially eventual mining of nearby chromite ores. The adit was used as a ventilation system for the historical Bulqiza and Batra mining operations but had deteriorated after the collapse of state-controlled mining in 1990. Empire's mining crews have re-opened and made safe some 2,000 metres of adit, including old drilling chambers, cleared the drainages and established a second exit. In addition, 1,600 metres of insulated power cable have been laid in the adit to support the drilling, and a transformer and overhead power connection to the state grid have been installed outside to provide power. A new 300 metre access road link has also been established to the adit portal to facilitate access for the work force and equipment.

Further drilling is planned, as additional potential ore blocks have been identified from ongoing data compilation, with the aim of establishing sufficient chromite intercepts to calculate an initial resource estimate for part of the Orebody*.

*Caution: The terms “Deposit“ and “Orebody“ in this press release are used in the historical sense and are not meant to imply current economic viability.

Empire's Qualified Person, David C. Cliff, BSc (Hons), MIMMM, C.Eng., FGS, also Empire's President & CEO, has reviewed and approved the content of this news release.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

David Cliff
President & CEO



This release contains forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the “safe harbor“ provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“forward-looking statements“), respecting Empire's exploration plans. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation the ability to acquire necessary permits and other authorizations; environmental compliance; cost increases; availability of qualified workers; competition for mining properties; risks associated with exploration projects, mineral reserve and resource estimates (including the risk of assumption and methodology errors); dependence on third parties for services; non-performance by contractual counterparties; title risks; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about; general business and economic conditions; the timing and receipt of required approvals; availability of financing; power prices; ability to procure equipment and supplies; and ongoing relations with employees, partners and joint venturers. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Empire undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

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.



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Empire Mining Corporation
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