Step-Out Drilling by Northern Empire Demonstrates Resource Expansion and New Discovery Potential

• Daisy Deposit: Step-out hole returns 108.2 meters grading 0.80 g/t Au
• Secret Pass Deposit: Step-out Hole returns 38.10 meters grading 0.95 g/t Au

Michael G. Allen, President and CEO stated, "Results from drilling at Daisy and Secret Pass, as well as high-grade gold collected in surface samples proximal to the deposits, continue to demonstrate significant resource expansion and discovery potential along this highly prospective trend in the Crown Block of the Sterling Gold Project."

Daisy Deposit Drill Results

*Includes from 59.44 to 60.96 (1.52m) of no recovery, interval assigned 0 g/t grade;
**Previously released hole, for further details refer to the Company's Feb 26, 2018 NR;
*** Fire assays reported;
True width is estimated to be 90-95% of reported length.

Figure 1. Daisy collar map https://www.northernemp.com/_resources/images/18-05-01_DaisyDDH_NR.jpg

Drilling results announced today demonstrate the Daisy deposit remains open up-dip for further expansion. D18-001 was drilled to the south of the known Daisy deposit, outside of the 0.3 g/t resource shell. Gold mineralization was encountered at 53.34 meters down the hole, which was much shallower than the expected target depth of approximately 130 meters. A lower zone of mineralization was also encountered in D18-001, this mineralization was located at the base of the Cararra formation, opening up the possibility for further mineralization to be discovered lower in the stratigraphic sequence.

Figure 2. D18-001 Section https://www.northernemp.com/_resources/images/Daisy_SP_NR_18-05-01.jpg

Intervals identified as oxide have displayed greater than 80% cyanide solubility, suggesting that the mineralization will be amenable to processing by heap leach methods.

The Daisy deposit, classified as a Carlin-type deposit, hosts an inferred resource of 5.4 million tonnes grading 1.34 g/t using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off, containing 232,000 oz Au. Mineralization at Daisy West is primarily in the Nopah (Dunderberg shale) formation, and at Daisy South in the Carrara formation. Company geologists have collected surface samples to the north and south of Daisy beyond the limits of drilling, returning grades ranging from less than detection to 13.85 g/t Au, suggesting additional expansion of the resource is possible.

Secret Pass Deposit Drill Results

* Fire assays reported
True width is estimated to be 90-95% of reported length, except SP18-017 where insufficient data exists to estimate true width

Figure 3. Secret Pass collar map https://www.northernemp.com/_resources/images/18-05-01_SecretPassDDH_NR.jpg

Drilling results announced today demonstrate Secret Pass remains open for expansion, particularly toward Daisy to the west. Hole SP18-017 was drilled approximately 200 meters to the west of the known Secret Pass deposit in an area of sparse drilling. From 196.60 meters, 38.10 meters grading 0.95 g/t Au was cut before the hole was lost in mineralization. The last sample collected returned 0.79 g/t Au.

The Company anticipates re-drilling hole SP18-017 with the goal of understanding the scale of mineralization discovered. At this point SP18-017 is thought to have cut a previously unknown structure, which may be a significant host for mineralization to the west of the known deposit. with the possibility of oxide mineralization to be found closer to surface than the original intercept.

The Secret Pass deposit, categorized as an epithermal-type deposit hosted within Tertiary Volcanics (Bullfrog Tuff), currently hosts an inferred resource of 11.1 million tonnes grading 0.93 g/t Au using a 0.3 g/t cut-off, containing an estimated 335,000 oz Au. The deposit is largely located in the hanging wall of the Fluorspar Canyon Detachment Fault. Sparse, wide-spaced drilling has indicated that gold mineralization occurs in the footwall of the detachment fault and is an exciting exploration target.

About Northern Empire

Northern Empire Resources Corp. (TSXV: NM) (OTC Pink: PSPGF) is expanding and discovering heap leach gold deposits in Nevada. The Company presently has initial resource statements on four heap-leachable deposits at the 100%-owned Sterling Gold Project, including the high-grade, fully permitted Sterling Mine. Using a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off the pit constrained inferred resources on the property total 947,000oz Au with an average grade of 1.26 g/t Au. For further information on the Sterling Project, please refer to the technical report on the Sterling Project dated July 12, 2017, found on the Company's website and SEDAR. The Company is well-financed and is aggressively drilling all four deposits in 2018 to increase resources and explore for new discoveries on the district-scale land package. Founders and management have a track record of increasing shareholder value through discovery, project development and M&A with successes that include Newmarket Gold, Kaminak Gold, Underworld Resources and International Royalty Corp. For more information visit www.northernemp.com.

Sampling and QAQC Procedures

Samples were submitted to ALS Global in Reno, Nevada. Gold grade was determined by Fire Assay with Atomic Absorption, and Gravimetric Finish as well as Cyanide Soluble methods. Most ALS geochemical laboratories are registered or are pending registration to ISO 9001:2008, and several analytical facilities have received ISO 17025 accreditations for specific laboratory procedures. Northern Empire inserts a series of standards, blanks and field duplicates into the sample stream as part of its quality assurance and quality control procedures which are continually monitored by the Company.

Qualified Persons

Michael G. Allen, P. Geo., President & CEO of Northern Empire, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. He is the non-independent qualified person for this news release and has verified the data.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF Northern Empire Resources Corp.

"Michael G. Allen"

President, CEO and Director

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 NEWS RELEASE.

Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forward-looking statement", and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements, which include the Company's expectations about the future performance based on current results and expected cash costs and are based on the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which, may cause the Company's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projects of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: liabilities inherent in mine development and production; geological risks, the financial markets generally, the results of the due diligence investigations to be conducted by the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipate in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For further information contact:

Michael G. Allen, President, CEO and Director
Tel: +1 (604) 646-4522

Dylan Berg, Manager, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (604) 646-4520
info@northernemp.com