Avanti Appoints Mark G. Premo as Chief Operating Officer

VANCOUVER, 04/16/12 - Avanti Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AVT) (PINKSHEETS: AVNMF) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has hired Mark G. Premo as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of its wholly owned subsidiary, Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. The expected start date is June 4, 2012. Mark will be responsible for assembling the operating team to develop and operate the Kitsault molybdenum mine. Mark will relocate to Vancouver, BC, where he will manage the corporate offices of the Company as it embarks on the development of this world-class asset.

Mark is a Registered Professional Engineer with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He was most recently President and CEO of Chevron Mining in Englewood, CO, the company he began his mining career at in 1977. He has over 34 years of surface and underground mining experience in the industry. He has held a number of mine site positions as well as executive leadership roles in Chevron Mining, responsible for all phases of mining operations and overall company management. Mark has served as Chairman of the Alabama Coal Association and currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama and is on the Board of Directors of the National Mining Association. Mark and his wife Lisa are the parents of four children and have three grandchildren.

"I am delighted to welcome Mark to Avanti and feel very fortunate to have attracted a person with the mine operating and management skills that he possesses," said Craig J. Nelsen, President & CEO. "He is the perfect individual to guide the Company through its transition into an operating entity and in other future growth opportunities."

Commenting on this position, Mark G. Premo stated, "In my previous role overseeing the Questa molybdenum mine in northern New Mexico, I became very much aware of the cost structure in the markets for this metal. I am very pleased to be joining the Avanti team and am excited to be a part of developing this world-class molybdenum asset at Kitsault. It's a rare opportunity to bring a career's worth of experience to the start of an operation."


Avanti Mining Inc. is focused on the development of the past producing Kitsault Mine Project located north of Prince Rupert in British Columbia. In late 2010, Avanti completed the Kitsault Feasibility Study on the Kitsault Mine Project, dated December 15, 2010, prepared by AMEC Americas Limited that showed Proven and Probable Reserves of 232.5 million tonnes averaging 0.081% molybdenum. Ken Collison, P. Eng., Senior Vice President Project Development and a Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101, is responsible for the technical information in this press release.


Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking information concerning the business of Avanti Mining Inc. (the "Corporation"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in particular statements herein about the future development and operation of a mine at the Kitsault project are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the opinions of management at the date the statements are made and are based on assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations all the risks and uncertainties associated with developing a mine and commencing operations disclosed in the Corporation's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2010, which is available at www.sedar.com. The Corporation is under no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's opinions should change, excepting as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.



For further information, please visit www.avantimining.com, or contact:

Avanti Mining Inc.
A.J. Ali, Chief Financial Officer
303-565-5491, extension 4472 or

Craig J. Nelsen, Chief Executive Officer
303-565-5491, extension 4471