Orvana Minerals Appoints Ron Simkus to the Board of Directors

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/04/12 -- Orvana Minerals Corp. ('Orvana'') (TSX: ORV) announces today the appointment of Ron Simkus to the Board of Directors. His appointment reflects the Board's focus on improving Orvana's operations performance at its two mines.

Mr. Simkus has 36 years of engineering experience in ore metallurgy and the high-level management of operations, including Antamina (Peru) and Highland Valley Copper (Canada), as well as development projects including Mirador (Ecuador), Aljustrel (Portugal) and Tampakan (Philippines). Mr. Simkus has served as a director of a number of mining companies including Baffinland Iron Mines, AQM Copper, Skye Resources, Gabriel Resources, EuroZinc Mining, and SOMINCOR.

'Having Mr. Simkus join the Orvana Board adds important technical expertise directly related to our efforts to improve the El Valle-Boinas/Carles and the Don Mario Upper Mineralized Zone operations as well as to develop the Copperwood Project', said Bill Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'We look forward to benefit from his experience.'

About Orvana

Orvana Minerals is a multi-mine gold and copper producer. Orvana's primary asset is the El Valle-Boinas/Carles ('EVBC') gold-copper mine in northern Spain, now in production. Orvana also owns and operates the Don Mario Upper Mineralized Zone ('UMZ') copper-gold-silver mine in Bolivia, which is still in the commissioning stage. Orvana is advancing its Copperwood copper project in Michigan, USA. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Forward Looking Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ('forward-looking statements'). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, potentials, future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as 'believes', 'expects' 'plans', 'estimates' or 'intends' or stating that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'will' or 'are projected to' be taken or achieved) are not statements of historical fact, but are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, all aspects of the development of the Upper Mineralized Zone ('UMZ') deposit at the Don Mario Mine in Bolivia, the El Valle-Boinas/Carles project in Spain and the Copperwood project in Michigan and their potential operations and production; the outcome and timing of decisions with respect to whether and how to proceed with such development and production; the timing and outcome of any such development and production; estimates of future capital expenditures; mineral resource estimates; estimates of permitting time lines; statements and information regarding future feasibility studies and their results; production forecasts; future transactions; future metal prices; the ability to achieve additional growth and geographic diversification; future production costs; future financial performance, including the ability to increase cash flow and profits; future financing requirements; and mine development plans.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Orvana as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of Orvana contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form, or as otherwise expressly incorporated herein by reference as well as: there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; permitting, development, operations, expansion and acquisitions at the UMZ deposit, El Valle-Boinas/Carles and the Copperwood projects being consistent with the Company's current expectations; political developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; certain price assumptions for gold, copper and silver; prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; production and cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Orvana's current expectations.

A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements.

Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include fluctuations in the price of gold, silver and copper; the need to recalculate estimates of resources based on actual production experience; the failure to achieve production estimates; variations in the grade of ore mined; variations in the cost of operations; the availability of qualified personnel; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; the Company's ability to use cyanide in its mining operations; risks generally associated with mineral exploration and development, including the Company's ability to develop the UMZ deposit, the Copperwood project or the El Valle-Boinas/Carles project; the Company's ability to acquire and develop mineral properties and to successfully integrate such acquisitions; the Company's ability to obtain financing when required on terms that are acceptable to the Company; challenges to the Company's interests in its property and mineral rights; current, pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments or changes in political, social or economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates; general economic conditions worldwide; and the risks identified in Orvana's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended March 31, 2011 under the heading 'Risks and Uncertainties'. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's Annual Information Form for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Orvana Minerals Corp.

Natalie Frame

Investor Relations

(289) 200-7640


Orvana Minerals Corp.

Bill Williams

President and Chief Executive Officer

(480) 522-7925


Orvana Minerals Corp.

Malcolm King

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(416) 369-1629
ask_us@orvana.com
www.orvana.com