Exciting new results from Rathdowney's drilling at Project Olza

Including 7.8 m of 18.8% Zn+Pb in hole 165 and 8.4 m of 9.5% Zn+Pb in hole 135

VANCOUVER, Sept. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Rathdowney Resources Ltd. ("Rathdowney" or the "Company") (TSXV: RTH) announces the results in forty-two additional holes from the Company's ongoing drilling program in Poland. The holes are located at drill centres in the central and southern parts of the extensive mineralized corridor that extends through Project Olza-area.

These new holes include some of the best grades and widths encountered in drilling to date and demonstrate the strength and persistence of the zinc-lead mineralization at Project Olza.  For example, Hole 165, which intersected 7.8 metres of 18.8% Zn+Pb, is 210 metres northwest of Hole 171 that encountered 8.7 metres of 7.9% Zn+Pb. Hole 135, which encountered 8.4 metres of 9.5% Zn+Pb, is 140 metres north of hole 162 which intersected 5.7 metres of 7.7% Zn+Pb including 1.3 metres of 20.0% Zn+Pb.  These and other highlights are tabulated below:

In addition, these strong intersections occur in holes distributed throughout the areas drilled, as shown on the drill hole location map posted on the Company's website at http://www.hdgold.com/i/rdr/pdf/RTH_2012_Sept05_Drawing.pdf.  Locations for all 42 new holes are included on the map and their assay results are appended to this release.

Rathdowney President and CEO John Barry said: "The width and tenor of these mineralized intersections bode well for the soon-to-be-released, first compliant resource for this historical mining district - stay tuned."

Rathdowney's Project Olza is a Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) zinc-lead prospect situated in Poland's prolific Upper Silesian mining district which has been a centre of exploration and mining activity since 12^th century. According to a 2010 USGS report, the Upper Silesian has the most important metal accumulation in any of the world's MVT districts, with an estimated endowment of some 40 million tonnes of zinc and lead¹.  Because of the district's long mining history, key infrastructure such as power, and smelter facilities with rail access, is readily available.

Given its geological potential and excellent location, Rathdowney's Project Olza presents a compelling investment opportunity among a small peer-group of zinc-focused juniors.

About Rathdowney

Rathdowney Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company focused on finding and developing the next generation of zinc-lead-silver deposits in the ore fields of Poland and Ireland. Rathdowney is associated with Hunter Dickinson Inc. ("HDI") a diversified, global mine development company with a 25-year history of mineral development success. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral properties that provide consistently superior returns to shareholders.

The technical information in this release has been reviewed by Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

John Barry
President & CEO

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.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

¹Leach, D.L., Taylor, R.D., Fey, D.L., Diehl, S.F., and Saltus, R.W., 2010, A deposit model for Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc ores, chap. A of Mineral deposit models for resource assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5070-A, 52 p. - Appendix page 50

Table of Assay Results

SOURCE Rathdowney Resources Ltd.