Southern Arc Announces Sale of Taliwang Project

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/21/12 -- Southern Arc Minerals (TSX VENTURE: SA)(OTCQX: SOACF) ("Southern Arc" or "the Company") today announced that the Company has, subject to certain conditions, agreed to sell its interest in the Taliwang project in return for cash and shares in the acquiring company, thereby retaining upside potential and financial flexibility for Southern Arc shareholders as the new owner advances its portfolio of projects.

Southern Arc's 90% share in the Taliwang project (remaining 10% held by the West Sumbawa Regency Government) will be sold to Coke Resources Limited ("Coke"). In consideration for Coke purchasing 90% of the Taliwang project, Southern Arc will receive US$500,000 and 15 million shares of Coke. The transaction is contingent on Coke completing its initial public offering on the Australian Stock Exchange. Coke anticipates issuing up to 21,000,000 shares at A$0.20 per share. With 15 million shares, Southern Arc will own approximately 8% of the company. The shares will be held in escrow for a period of six months from the date Coke lists on the Australian Stock Exchange, after which Southern Arc may freely trade the shares.

Taliwang will be one of two projects in Coke Resources' portfolio. Coke Resources is an Australian-based exploration company founded in February 2011 to pursue opportunities in Indonesia's mining sector. Coke's Board of Directors and senior executives have a broad range of expertise in the minerals exploration industry, with extensive experience and business relationships in Indonesia. The company's PT Cristian Eka Pratama ("Cristian") project is a long-life thermal coal project with established infrastructure in place, located 15km from the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan on Borneo Island, Indonesia.

"On December 13 Southern Arc's Board of Directors announced the conditional acceptance of an offer for the Taliwang project," said John Proust, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Arc. "This arrangement with Coke Resources meets our objectives of increasing the Company's treasury and allowing Southern Arc to focus its time and resources on its priority projects.

"Southern Arc's investment in Coke Resources brings new opportunities to the Company," continued Mr. Proust. "Through Coke Resources we have exposure to two promising projects. We look forward to seeing progress at both the Taliwang and Cristian projects, yet have maintained financial flexibility for Southern Arc's shareholders with a liquid, public-company investment."

On behalf of the Board of Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

John Proust, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

About Southern Arc

Southern Arc Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold and copper-gold exploration. The Company's key exploration property is its West Lombok project, with several gold-rich copper porphyry and epithermal gold vein prospects. Southern Arc is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SA and on the OTCQX International under the symbol SOACF. More information is available at www.southernarcminerals.com or by emailing info@southernarcminerals.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and operations, timing of projects and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the company's capability to execute and implement future plans. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. There is no representation by the company that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as that forecast.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

Rhylin Bailie

Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations

604-676-5241 or North American Toll-Free: 1-888-676-5241
info@southernarcminerals.com
www.southernarcminerals.com