Empire Mining Corporation Updates Bursa Acquisition

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Dec. 23, 2011) - Empire Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE: EPC) (“Empire“) has amended the deadline to complete its acquisition of the Bursa Licenses in Turkey, last announced on December 16, 2011 and October 19, 2011. The transaction, which previously was required to be completed on or before December 31, 2011, is now required to be completed on or before March 31, 2012. For additional details, please see Empire's prior news releases on this matter. This amendment is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Robert F. Giustra
Chairman



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 the closing conditions to complete the acquisition. 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 obtain regulatory approvals of the transactions; the ability to make the required payments under the amended agreement; changes in the market; decisions respecting whether or not to pursue the transactions; non-performance by contractual counterparties; 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; that Empire will be able to successfully complete the conditions precedent to the amended agreement, including without limitation the ability to obtain regulatory approvals; that Empire will continue to desire to close the transactions thereunder; the ability to locate sufficient financing for ongoing operations; and general market conditions. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Empire undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

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 release.



Contact Information

Empire Mining Corporation
Investor Relations
604-634-0970 or 1-888-818-1364
604-634-0971 (FAX)
info@empireminingcorp.com
www.empireminingcorp.com