Empire Mining Corporation is pleased to announce the results of the first assays from underground diamond drilling at its 100% owned Bulqiza chromite project in Albania.

Drill hole ETH-002, collared at -50 degrees returned a weighted mean assay of 41.98% Cr2O3 over an intersected width of 4.85 metres, with a chrome to iron ratio of 3.24:1. Combined with the low alumina and high magnesia obtained, the grades fall well within the category of high quality metallurgical ores.

Four holes have been completed in the current drilling program with assays for holes ETH-001, 003 and 004 pending. The current drilling is being carried out at Thekna Gallery (adit) 25 which is located within the Bulqiza-Batra Licence and is aimed at confirming the grades and thicknesses reported in an Albanian state historical resource* of 300,000 tonnes grading 45% Cr2O3, where Empire believes there is scope for significant expansion.

The assays from hole ETH-002 appear to be consistent with results reported from the state drilling** which include: 40.7% Cr2O3 over 9.7 metres intersected width some 30 metres away from hole ETH-002, 42% Cr2O3 over 3.0 metres about 20 metres away and 46.03% Cr2O3 over 4.5 metres some 40 metres distant.

The intercept in ETH-002 was obtained at a hole depth of 312.35 to 317.2 meters. Empire is considering various options to advance exploration and development in the medium term, and eventual mining; including decline access from the Thekna level 25 adit and access from existing infrastructure in closer proximity to the mineralization.

Initial indications are that the geology at Thekna is structurally complex with potential for fold and fault tectonics similar to those observed in the main Bulqiza-Batra area and with similar potential for expansion of the historical resource.

* Caution: A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate respecting the Thekna deposit as a current mineral resource. Empire is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the historical estimate should not be relied upon.

** The historical drill holes were not subject to down-hole surveying to check for deviation, so the quoted intercepts are located approximately.