Lydian International Limited Announces Completion of Investment by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/28/12 -- Lydian International Ltd. (TSX: LYD) ("Lydian" or "the Company"), a gold-focused mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement financing, pursuant to which it issued and sold to European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD") an aggregate of 1,419,732 ordinary shares of the Company at a price of CAD $2.56 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $3,634,513.92 (the "EBRD Placement"). The EBRD Placement follows the exercise by EBRD of its pre-emptive rights related to the Company's recent bought deal financing with GMP Securities L.P. and Scotiabank, pursuant to which it sold 17,968,750 ordinary shares of the Company at a purchase price of CAD $2.56 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $46,000,000. The Company has agreed to use the net proceeds of the EBRD Placement exclusively for exploration work and studies at its Amulsar gold project in Armenia.

"Our plan is to continue our development of the Amulsar gold project toward planned production and remain a major employer and contributor to the Armenian economy" said Tim Coughlin, Lydian's President and Chief Executive Officer. "EBRD's further investment shows support for Lydian's commitment to developing a successful project that meets high environmental standards, delivers value to shareholders and provides significant benefits and international recognition to local communities and the country of Armenia." he added.

The securities were distributed to EBRD pursuant to an exemption from prospectus requirements as set out in Section 2.10 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the issue date of the securities.

About Lydian International

Lydian is a gold-focused mineral exploration and development company with expertise employing "first mover" strategies in emerging exploration environments. Currently Lydian is focused on Eastern Europe and, in particular, developing its flagship Amulsar gold project in Armenia. Lydian also has a pipeline of promising early-stage gold and base metal exploration projects in the Caucasus regions.

Lydian's management team has a track record of success in grassroots discovery, in acquiring and developing undervalued assets, and in building companies. Lydian has a strong social agenda and a unique understanding of the complex social and political issues that characterize emerging environments. The Company's significant shareholders include the International Finance Corporation which is a member of the World Bank Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. More information can be found on Lydian's web site at www.lydianinternational.co.uk.

Caution regarding forward-looking information:

This news release may contain certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include statements regarding the Company's intended use of proceeds from the EBRD Placement. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices and other factors described above and in the Company's most recent annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors" which has been filed electronically by means of the Canadian Securities Administrators' website located at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Lydian International Ltd.

Lucy Fowler

Investor Relations Manager

+44 (0)1534 715472 or +44 (0)7797 738777
info@lydianinternational.co.uk
www.lydianinternational.co.uk