NEWS RELEASE 08-08

Merit Mining Commissions its Greenwood Gold Project Mill

March 3, 2008 – Vancouver, British Columbia.  Merit Mining Corp. (TSX-V: MEM) reports that it has started commissioning of its Greenwood Gold Project 200 tonne per day gravity/flotation mill to process a 10,000 tonne underground bulk sample from the Lexington-Grenoble mine.  The first shipment of copper/gold concentrate is expected to be delivered to purchasers in April.

Upon receipt of project development and construction financing from Wega Mining ASA of Oslo, Norway in May and August 2007, Merit’s target for mill startup was April 30, 2008.

“The fact that the mill startup is significantly ahead of schedule is a credit to all the people involved in the project”, says Fred Sveinson, President & CEO. “The on site leadership of our experienced mine development and construction management team and the hard work of our employees, contractors, and consultants has enabled us to beat our original target for mill startup.”

Merit Mining Corp.

“Fred Sveinson”

Fred Sveinson, President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Fred Sveinson at (604) 694-2344

For Investor Relations Information Contact:

MarketSmart Communications (604) 261-4466

(Toll Free 1-877-261-4466)

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 The statements made in this News Release may contain certain forward-looking statements.  Actual events or results may differ from the Company’s expectations.  Certain risk factors may also affect the actual results achieved by the COMPANY.