Metallurgy Studies For Mine Planning/Permitting At Relief Canyon Mine

LAKEWOOD, CO - Pershing Gold Corporation has initiated the Metallurgical studies needed for mine planning and permitting activities at Relief Canyon. The Company recently drilled five large-diameter diamond core holes located in the North and South Pits to provide a representative suite of samples for the metallurgical tests. These holes obtained drill core samples from the three ore types at the Relief Canyon Mine: the Main Breccia Zone; the Lower Zone; and the Jasperoid. Approximately 1,380 feet of core will be sent to the testing facility where it will be split, crushed, sampled and subjected to a variety of metallurgical tests. "These metallurgical tests represent an important first step in the mine planning and permitting process for redevelopment of the Relief Canyon Mine," said Stephen D. Alfers, CEO and Executive Chairman. The Relief Canyon Mine property includes three open-pit mines and a state-of-the-art, fully permitted and constructed heap leach processing facility. These assets present Pershing Gold with the opportunity to achieve a fast-track path to production at the Relief Canyon Mine. Pershing Gold's landholdings cover over 25,000 acres that include the Relief Canyon Mine asset and lands surrounding the mine in all directions. This land package provides Pershing Gold with the opportunity to expand the Relief Canyon Mine deposit and to explore and make new discoveries on nearby lands.