There are three identified porphyry-related target areas at Bursa of which Demirtepe is the second to be drill tested by Empire. The results of hole DTH-001 (the "Discovery Hole") drilled at Demirtepe were announced on January 18, 2011 and intersected zones of copper-gold-silver skarn mineralization, including:

• 2.02% copper, 0.96 g/t gold, 21.64 g/t silver over a sampled width of 47.35 m from 112.2 m to 159.55 m.

The zone includes the following higher grade intercepts:

• 6.29% copper, 3.1 g/t gold and 66.1 g/t silver over a sampled width of 12.7 m from 140.3 m to 153.0 m; and

• 9.1% copper, 4.68 g/t gold and 95.3 g/t silver over a sampled width of 8.0 m from 140.3 m to 148.3 m.

Following the announcement of the Discovery Hole at Demirtepe, Empire expanded the program with an additional 10,000 meters of diamond drilling and accelerated the drilling with additional rigs, with a total of three rigs presently operating. Full results are now available for the next six holes. 

The best intercept was in hole DTH-007 which was drilled approximately 200 m to the south of the Discovery Hole, and intersected significant copper-gold-silver skarn mineralization considerably shallower than in the Discovery Hole, as follows:

• 1.79% copper, 0.75 g/t gold and 27.1 g/t silver over a sampled width of 34.60 m from 40.60 m to 75.20 m.

The zone includes the following higher grade intercepts:

• 3.37% copper, 1.38 g/t gold and 50.9 g/t silver over a sampled width of 17.30 m from 52.10 m to 69.20 m; and

• 7.77% copper, 3.02 g/t gold and 116 g/t silver over a sampled width of 5.15 m from 64.05 m to 69.20 m.

Other highlights include:

• hole DTH-003A drilled approximately 80 m to the south of the Discovery Hole, intersected 32.92 m of 0.92% copper, 0.36 g/t gold and 12.0 g/t silver from 152.75 m depth; including 4.25 m of 3.41% copper, 1.35 g/t gold and 43.8 g/t silver from 152.75 m to 157.00 m.

• hole DTH-005 drilled approximately 50 m to the north of the Discovery Hole, intersected 18.80 m of 1.40% copper, 1.89 g/t gold and 18.5 g/t silver from 31.25 m depth; including 7.40 m of 2.00% copper, 1.17 g/t gold and 23.6 g/t silver from 31.25 m to 38.65 m; and 13.80 m of 1.30% copper, 0.56 g/t gold and 14.0 g/t silver from 100.70 m to 113.80 m.

The copper mineralization is hosted almost exclusively by wollastonite, a calcium silicate mineral with industrial uses, and appears to be related to a north-south feeder structure. To date, mineralization has been followed within an approximately 75 m wide structural corridor for some 250 m of strike length. The corridor is open along strike and to depth and contains multiple intercepts of copper within the receptive host lithology.

The first indications of an epithermal overprint were discovered in hole DHT-005, with 1.10 m of 20.70 g/t gold. In addition to copper, gold and silver mineralization, drilling also encountered significant values of molybdenum and zinc; hole DHT-002 drilled in the northern anomaly, approximately 600 m to the north of the Discovery Hole, intersected 21 m of 3.05% zinc from surface, and DHT-006 drilled approximately 50 m to the west of the Discovery Hole, intersected 9 m of 0.171% molybdenum. Work is in progress to piece together section-by-section geology in order to provide additional context.

A complete table of all significant results to date can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-05-09-table.pdf

Maps of the drilling zone can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-05-09-maps.pdf

Photos of drill core can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.empireminingcorp.com/i/nr/2011-05-09-photos.pdf

Four distinctive intrusive phases have been noted so far: early granite, monzonite with molybdenite frequently observed near faults, diorite porphyry with disseminated pyrite and quartz veining with occasional chalcopyrite, and hornblende porphyry, which has only been seen in outcrop. Two lines of deeper penetrating 200 m dipole-dipole IP and Resistivity have recently been completed to assist in locating the possible porphyry body believed to be responsible for the copper-wollastonite skarn mineralization, which is perceived to be more distal. Results of the interpretation are pending.

To date, 4,625 metres have been drilled in 21 completed holes at Demirtepe and three additional holes are in progress. Assays are also in the pipeline for several holes, while core from other drill holes is currently being logged and sawn for dispatched.

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. 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.