Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. is pleased to announce that a mini-bulk sample of 5 to 10 tonnes is being collected on the diamondiferous Potentilla Pipe on the Kikerk Lake Property in the Coronation Gulf Diamond District, Nunavut Canada. The mini-bulk sample is part of a $1.56 million dollar exploration program previously announced for Kikerk Lake in March. Northern Empire has elected to contribute and has forwarded its 30% portion of the funds to project operator Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. (Ashton).

Mini-bulk Sample

The mini-bulk sample will be used to delineate the size of the Potentilla kimberlite pipe as well as provide an early indication of the diamond grade and size distribution within the pipe. The mini-bulk sample will be collected from HQ core drilled over a two to three week period. Kikerk Lake operating partner, Ashton Mining of Canada Inc., will process the sample at its North Vancouver Laboratory. Results from the mini-bulk sample are expected by late summer.

Kikerk Lake Exploration Program

An airborne geophysical program has been completed on the northwestern portion of the Kikerk Lake Property. The program will be used to help determine the cause of some subtle geophysical anomalies and unexplained mineral trains identified during the 2001 exploration season. The results will help in prioritizing targets, which will be followed up using ground geophysical surveys and prospecting. Any new drill targets to emerge from the combination of airborne and ground geophysics and prospecting may be drilled as early as mid May.

Northern Empire holds a 30% interest in the Kikerk Lake Property. Ashton holds a 35% interest in the Property with an option to earn up to a 59.5% interest from Caledonia Mining Corporation ("Caledonia"), which will hold the remaining 10.5%.

Northern Empire Minerals is a well-funded diamond exploration company with an aggressive acquisition and development philosophy. The Company is establishing itself as the premiere diamond explorer in Nunavut. Properties under management now total more than 2.9 million acres. The Company has properties in the Coronation Gulf Diamond District, on the Melville Peninsula and in the Otish mountain region of Quebec.

On behalf of the Board,

NORTHERN EMPIRE MINERALS LTD.

"John E. Robins"                                   

John Robins, P. Geo.
President
 
 
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