Empire Mining sampling returns significant copper-gold anomaly 1.8 km long and still open on strike

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Sept. 26, 2011) – Empire Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE:EPC) (“Empire”) is pleased to report that an ongoing sampling program at the newly-identified Southwest Zone of the Demirtepe wollastonite-hosted copper-gold-silver and molybdenum project in Turkey, has identified a continuous copper-gold anomalous zone currently about 1.8 km long and up to 800 metres wide and still open to the southwest. The new Southwest Zone is located approx. 1 km to the southwest of the Main Zone.

The following link shows the location of the known target zones at Demirtepe:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-26-demirtepe-southwest-zone-location.pdf

The first phase of soil sampling consisting of 292 samples has been completed on a 200 by 200 metre grid, and visible mineralization identified in the course of that sampling has been rock sampled (68 rock samples, approx. half from boulder float and half from outcrop).

The sampling returned elevated (from 500 ppm to more than 3,000 ppm) copper levels in soils broadly coincident with elevated gold ranging from 20 ppb to more than 100 ppb. Initial rock sampling results include 4.68% copper, 5.58 gpt gold and 59.3 gpt silver from wollastonite bearing boulders and 3.2% copper in garnet skarn boulders with copper oxide staining. Sampling has been expanded to close off the anomaly to the southwest, where it is still open, and more detailed 100 metre by 100 metre sampling is in progress to better define the main anomaly. The copper and gold geochemistry for the anomaly as it is presently defined relative to the other zones can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-26-demirtepe-southwest-zone-geochem.pdf

The Southwest Zone is interpreted as having formed the basement below the Demirtepe Main Zone deposit which then became detached. This view is supported by signs of epithermal style quartz with chalcopyrite and pyrite, so a higher temperature equivalent. The identification of a basal detachment fault at the bottom of the Main Zone led to the discovery of the Southwest Zone.

Mapping has been extended to encompass the extension areas of the Southwest Zone and an IP/resistivity survey is planned to start in a few days to identify the possible location of the porphyry system believed to be the driver for the skarn-hosted mineralisation at Demirtepe. The next phase of drilling at Demirtepe is planned to commence in the fall and will be focused on the Southwest Zone.

Photos from the Southwest Zone are available at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-09-26-photos.pdf

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

All samples were taken utilizing conventional exploration methods. Rock samples were collected by continuous chipping across outcrop and grab samples of float boulders were taken where no outcrop was found. Soil samples were taken on a grid using a GPS and only the ‘B’ soil horizon was selected for sampling. 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 for all rock samples and by aqua regia extraction with AAS finish for all soil samples. 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. Additional check assays are under consideration, as is the acquisition of certified reference material in the higher grade range of the received assays.

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.

uthwest Zone of the Demirtepe wollastonite-hosted copper-gold-silver and molybdenum project in Turkey, has identified a continuous copper-gold anomalous zone currently about 1.8 km long and up to 800 metres wide and still open to the southwest. The new Southwest Zone is located approx. 1 km to the southwest of the Main Zone.

Image from Empire Mining of epithermally mineralized zone in the SW Demirtepe. The pinnacles are of recrystallized marble.