Vancouver, BC - Astral Mining Corporation (TSX-V AA, AA.WT) ("Astral" or "the Company") is pleased to simultaneously announce completion of a 2,617m diamond drilling program at the Los Crestones Gold-Silver project, Mexico and the initiation of a 1,334 line-kilometre Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Projects north of Kamloops, British Columbia.

MEXICO  

The diamond drill program at Los Crestones comprised 2617m in 18 holes Drilling targeted low-medium sulphidation epithermal style mineralization in three parallel vein/breccia zones and utilized a low-impact, portable diamond drill rig. The program produced HQ sized core, reduced to NTW size at around 100m downhole depth, and represents first ever drilling at Los Crestones. The work was designed to test subsurface extent of veins and silicified breccias known to host gold and silver mineralization (see August 9, 2011 News Release). Prospecting and surface reconnaissance continues on the property. Completion of logging and sampling by Astral geologists is expected in the next two weeks.

Three mineralized structural zones; Corona, Bohemia and Indio are sub-parallel features trending north-south and have been mapped on surface between 680m and 930m in length. The zones consist of silicified breccias and quartz stockwork veining within a highly brecciated zone comprising a small proportion of remnant andesitic rocks heavily intruded by monzonite, granodiorite and granitic rocks. The Bohemia and Indio structures are highly silicified and form the conspicuous, erosion resistant ridges which give the property its name. To date Astral has delivered five batches of samples to ALS Chemex’s preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora and the first batch of analyses is expected to be reported within two-four weeks. The company has implemented a standard quality assurance/quality control program which includes blank material, certified reference material and duplicate samples.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

The company has contracted Fugro Airborne Surveys to conduct a Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Project areas. The two projects are located 5km apart in the Barriere Lakes-Adams Lake area approximately 80mk north of Kamloops, British Columbia. Both properties are prospective for polymetallic vein and VMS style copper-gold-silver and zinc mineralization. The Honeymoon property has additional potential for intrusive related gold style mineralization related to the nearby Baldy Batholith. Astral has completed preliminary reconnaissance work on the two properties; airborne surveys will provide additional insight towards the planning of a focused exploration effort in spring/summer of 2012. The company will fly a total of 433 line kilometers, covering 7,850 hectares, at Barriere Ridge and 901 line kilometers, covering 16,370 hectares, at Honeymoon. Collection of data is scheduled to commence this week.

Technical details contained in this news release have been reviewed by Dale Brittliffe, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and Astral’s V.P. Exploration. Astral Mining Corporation is a Canadian company engaged in the exploration and development of precious metal properties in North America. By focusing on exploration in mining-friendly districts, the Company minimizes the political and social risks encountered in many other parts of the world. With a new gold discovery at the Company's Jumping Josephine Gold Project in Southern British Columbia and an experienced technical team and seasoned management, Astral is poised to leverage this expertise into early exploration success. Further details on Astral Mining Corporation and its high-quality portfolio of exploration projects can be found at www.astralmining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Manfred Kurschner" Mr. Manfred Kurschner,

President & CEO Astral Mining Corporation

For further information on Astral please contact Manfred Kurschner, President & CEO, at 604-641-1315, or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the Company's web site at http://www.astralmining.com.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

2011 Number 18