IP/Resistivity Survey at Empire Mining's Karapinar Copper Project in Turkey

Outlines a Strong Chargeable Anomaly 800 x 800 Meters Across, Indicating Possible Significant Extension

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Nov. 1, 2011) - Empire Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE: EPC) (“Empire“) is pleased to announce results of the IP/Resistivity survey and of the drilling program recently completed at its Karapinar copper-porphyry project located in western Turkey.


IP/Resistivity

The objective of the IP/Resistivity survey was to seek extensions to the chalcocite enrichment blanket identified in recent drilling and to target higher grade porphyry and skarn mineralization to the east and north of the previously-drilled area. The survey was successful in locating and outlining a strong chargeability anomaly suggestive of a possible extension of leached porphyry east of the known deposit. In addition, combined review of IP results and geological mapping suggests that only part of the mineralized porphyry is exposed at surface and that the previously-drilled area is reflected by lesser geophysical responses than the newly-identified areas.

The chargeable anomaly is 800 x 800 meters across with circular shape beneath an area mapped as 'undetermined lithology' as there is no exposure. The most western flange of the anomaly correlates with the area where recent drilling (see announcement of August 23, 2011) intersected a 60 metre zone of chalcocite enrichment in hole KDH-018 grading 0.93% copper, 0.11 gpt gold and 0.017% molybdenum from a hole depth of 79.6 to 139.6 meters. Within the same geophysical anomaly, KDH-008 which lies 90 meters southwest of hole KDH-018 and hole KDH-013 located 80 meters south of KDH-018, both intercepted secondary copper mineralization.

While the western flange of the anomaly correlates with secondary enrichment from the well-exposed porphyry, the eastern part remains untested. This geophysical work gives encouragement to the interpretation that most of the porphyry is not exposed and that a substantial portion is leached at surface which results in a significant potential for expansion. This is accounted for by little to no exposure and subdued copper levels in soil, but high chargeable response at depth. Possible extension towards the north beneath the carbonates is also evident, where a resistivity low (possibly skarn) reflects the contact between the carbonates and intrusive.

On a larger scale and based on the IP, the intrusive porphyry deposit possibly extends 1 km to the north, and is supported by copper and molybdenum anomalies to the north and lead zinc in the dolomites north of the drilled porphyry. This carbonate mass is interpreted as a large roof pendant and one hole drilled by Rio Tinto in 2003 (KDH-005) penetrated through the marble and contact skarns and into porphyry. The IP survey also reinforces the concept of a large porphyry body partially concealed by a carbonate roof pendant. The implications of the interpretation of the results are that the main mineralized porphyry body remains untested and that there is potential for a significant and material change in both tonnage and grade.

Various updated maps and geophysical profiles reflecting the IP/Resistivity Survey results are available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-11-01-maps.pdf

A total of 9.6 line kilometers dipole-dipole Time Domain Scintrex IP (receiver IPR-12) were completed in four north-south profiles with line spacing of 200 meters to the east of the previously-explored area. Dipole-dipole surveying was used with dipole size 100 meters, n=1-6, transmitted impulse of 2 seconds ON-OFF, and bipolar. Chargeability and resistivity inversion was calculated using a 2D UBC code. In addition, a Chargeability (CHG)/ Resistivity (RHO) ratio of inverted CHG and RHO values was used in order to highlight zones with high CHG and low RHO referred to as “Metal Factor“.


Drilling

Empire also completed a drilling program at Karapinar in 2011 consisting of seven diamond core holes, totalling 1,380.7 meters. The drilling has was focussed mainly on elevated copper in well-exposed porphyry to the west where hole KDH-012 intersected 266.3 meters of 0.30% copper, 0.014% molybdenum and 0.09 gpt gold. Assay results from the remaining holes in the drill program have been received and consistently encountered shallow mineralization from the oxide zone. Drill hole KDH-015 intersected a 31.7 metre zone of secondary copper mineralization grading 0.42% copper, 0.13gpt gold and 0.004% molybdenum from a hole depth of 20 to 51.7 meters, and hole KDH-016, drilled 90 meters to the west intersected 134.5 meters grading 0.30% copper and 0.10 gpt gold, 134.5 meters from surface. Drill hole KDH-017 did not return any significant intercepts due to drilling into the carbonate. However, the IP results show that the hole must be deepened to target a high chargeability anomaly at depth. A table with the complete results of the seven hole program is available at the following link:
http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-11-01-table.pdf


Quality Assurance/Quality Control

All core was sawn in half with sample widths determined by geology and mineralization. Individual samples within visible mineralization did not exceed 1.0 m, while the maximum sample interval was 2.0 m. Samples were bagged, security tagged and sent to the ALS Chemex sample preparation facility in Izmir, Turkey and, following preparation, to the ALS Chemex laboratory in Vancouver. Gold was determined by fire assay with AA finish, ore grade repeats were run with ICP-AES and a total of 33 elements determined by ICP after four-acid digestion. Blank, replicate and Certified Reference Material made up approximately 15% of the batch. ALS Chemex performed internal check assaying on about 5% of the samples, and also included analyses of internal standards inserted into the sample string.

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.



Contact Information

Empire Mining Corporation
Investor Relations
604-634-0970 or 1-888-818-1364
604-634-0971 (FAX)
info@empireminingcorp.com
www.empireminingcorp.com