Northern Lion Gold Corp. Initiates Republic of Cyprus Drill Program

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - May 22, 2012) - Northern Lion Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Northern Lion") (TSX VENTURE:NL) (FRANKFURT:N3E) announces the start of a rotary drill program in the Republic of Cyprus, where the Company currently holds 19 permits over 70 km2. The 2012 drill program will test newly acquired permits, follow up on the successful drilling at St. Nikolas, which included 4.5 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold, 19.08 g/t silver, and 1.04% copper over 28.6 metres in drill hole 11SN02 (reported April 6, 2011), and new targets defined by a recently completed airborne geophysical survey. Further details of this program will be released in the coming weeks.

The Company will begin the drill program by testing the recently acquired Pano Lefkara permit. Previous exploration work by the Company returned rock chip sample lines of 41 metres averaging 3.47 g/t gold, 25 metres averaging 1.10 g/t gold, and 24.5 metres averaging 1.06 g/t gold (reported April 25, 2012). The sample map showing the sampling is available on the Company's website at www.northernliongold.com.

The Pano Lefkara breccia zone consists of silicified argillically altered fragments in a variably limonite-kaolinite altered matrix. Historical drilling of the breccia zone intersected 30 metres of 0.42% copper and 0.91% zinc from within a wider zone of strong clay-pyrite alteration. Gold assays are not available from the earlier work, however; the Company believes there is the potential for gold mineralization. A large slag heap near the breccia zone attests to ancient mining in the vicinity. Further work by Northern Lion 450 metres south of the breccia zone has also revealed a gold geochemical anomaly and rock grab samples returned values up to 6.76 g/t gold.

The Company's field activities in Cyprus are under the direction of Robert Johnston, P.Geo. (BC), and "qualified person", as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Johnston is responsible for the technical content of this news release.


About Northern Lion

Northern Lion is committed to building a strong portfolio of projects within mining-friendly and infrastructure-rich areas of Europe. Northern Lion currently controls over 70 km2 of exploration permits in the Republic of Cyprus and is actively pursuing other opportunities within the region.


NORTHERN LION GOLD CORP.

John Lando
President



This news release includes "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, the success of exploration activities and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; potential defects in title to the Company's properties; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.

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 NEWS RELEASE.



Contact Information

Northern Lion Gold Corp.
John Lando
(604) 669-2701 or Toll Free: 1 800 663 0510

Northern Lion Gold Corp.
Ian Mitchell
(604) 669-2701 or Toll Free: 1 800 663 0510
(604) 687-4670 (FAX)
info@northernliongold.com
www.northernliongold.com