Atalaya Mining Regulatory News (ATYM)

AIM: EMED 15 July 2010

Exploration drilling commences in central Slovakia

EMED Mining Public Limited ("EMED Mining" or "the Company"), the AIM-quoted mining exploration and development company, is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2010 exploration drilling program at the Company's 100%-owned Banska Stiavnica and Hodrusa exploration licences in central Slovakia. 

The drilling programme is designed to test for gold mineralisation at the Bursa, Quartzlager and Mohr Shaft Prospects located to the north and northeast of the small-scale Rozalia Mine, which exploits flat, high-grade, gold-bearing quartz veins using traditional hand-held mining methods.

EMED Mining is testing for epithermal gold mineralisation and wide zones of Rozalia-style gold mineralisation that may be amenable to larger scale, bulk underground mining methods. Priority drilling targets have been identified following a review of data from the extensive historical mining in this prolific district as well as data from recent drilling at the Rozalia Mine. EMED Mining has an informal alliance with the owners of the Rozalia Mine, located on a small mining licence within the Company's Hodrusa licence area.

Gold potential is to be tested as follows:

> near-surface epithermal gold potential at the Bursa Prospect (three 150m drill holes);

> near-surface Rozalia-style gold mineralisation at the Quartzlager Prospect (three 100m drill holes); and

> a 500m-wide prospective zone at the Mohr Shaft Prospect (two 500m drill holes) that has been identified by structural analysis and a positive gold-silver ratio indicative of Rozalia-style gold mineralisation.

Managing Director of EMED Mining, Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, commented:

"Following completion of a geotechnical drilling program at the Biely Vrch Gold Project, the Company-owned drilling rig commenced drilling at the Bursa Prospect this week.

"Our exploration of the prolific Banska Stiavnica-Hodrusa District is at an early stage as our main focus in Slovakia has been on drilling at Biely Vrch and analogous porphyry-gold prospects. The Biely Vrch discovery is now progressing through the feasibility and permitting processes towards development.

"The combination of extensive historical mining data and modern exploration tools provides an exceptional opportunity for EMED Mining to make another significant discovery of economic mineralisation in central Slovakia. The Banska Stiavnica-Hodrusaexploration licences are located 38km west of Detva and cover an area of 188km2.

"The European Union's "Raw Materials Initiative" and the recent rejection by the European Commission of a proposed ban on the use of cyanide in the extractive industry have provided us with renewed confidence that EMED Mining's strategy and timing complement a resurgence of mining in Europe."

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Notes to Editors: About EMED Mining Public Limited

Notes to Editors: About EMED Mining Public Limited

EMED Mining was admitted to trading on AIM in May 2005. The Company is committed to responsible development of metal production in Europe, with a focus on copper and gold.

The Group's region of interest is the tectonic belts spanning across Europe and over to the Middle East. The strategy is to evaluate exploration and development opportunities in several jurisdictions throughout this quality mineral belt and to promote sustainable development practices through the implementation of European Union and other international standards. The Company strictly implements its Environmental & Community Policies.

EMED Mining has now established a strong position in the following selected zones:

Copper in Spain: The copper-mining district of Spain is probably among the best known in the world for its metal endowment. The Company's first priority is to commence production of its wholly-owned Rio Tinto Mine which is the largest metal deposit in Spain and contains a fully installed and maintained operational complex - an open pit mine, copper-concentrator and waste disposal facilities.

Gold in Slovakia: The Company has made a significant gold discovery at Biely Vrch and is advancing planning and permitting for its potential development. A core value of EMED Mining is to invest in a socially and environmentally responsible manner with a view to creating enormous social benefits via collaborative partnerships. A matter of equal importance to the assessment of the technical merits of our projects in Slovakia is the degree of social licence gained. EMED Mining personnel have built-up outstanding relationships with the Slovak government, local communities, business chambers, scientific societies and other stakeholders that are based on integrity, transparency and progress. These stakeholders have been very supportive of the responsible development of metal production operations in Slovakia.

EMED Mining has other notable earlier-stage activities focused on copper and gold, as follows:

·; Exploration licences in the copper-mining districts of Cyprus;

·; A large mining lease in Georgia, Caucasus; and

·; A 25% shareholding in KEFI Minerals Plc which operates exploration joint ventures in Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For further information on the Company's activities, visit www.emed-mining.com or www.emed.tv