Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. ("Empire") is pleased to announce that Empire has acquired the 152,000 acre Peregrine Property (the "Property") located in the Coronation Diamond District from 524520 BC Ltd. a private company. The purchase price to be paid by Empire, subject to regulatory approval, is 100,000 shares of Empire. The Property is already subject to an option agreement with Diamondex Resources Ltd. (DSP-CDNX) ("Diamondex"), whereby Diamondex has the right to earn a seventy percent (70%) interest in the Property by incurring $1,000,000 in exploration expenditures on or before December 1, 2004. The Property is subject to a two percent (2%) NSR/GORR with a $2 million buyout on one percent (1%).
The Property is situated approximately 520 kilometres north of Yellowknife, NWT in the north Slave Craton region of Nunavut. The Property adjoins immediately west of Ashton Mining's Vic and Kim properties held by Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. who recently reported encouraging diamond results from their Artemisia kimberlite pipe. Previous till sampling on the Peregrine Property has indicated the presence of kimberlite indicator minerals.
The Peregrine property represents a significant addition to Empire's portfolio of diamond properties in the growing Coronation Diamond Play bringing the company's total exposure to over 900,000 acres.
A major exploration program of detailed airborne geophysics and till sampling is currently being planned for the first half of the field season with follow-up drilling anticipated for the fall.
Empire views this acquisition as another strategic step in establishing itself as a dominant player in the emerging Coronation Diamond District. Empire is continuing to pursue opportunities in diamond exploration throughout Canada.
On behalf of the Board,
NORTHERN EMPIRE MINERALS LTD.
"John E. Robins"
John Robins, P. Geo.
President
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