East Asia Minerals Reinitiates Drilling Program and Site Development Work at the Sangihe Project, Indonesia

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/12/12 -- East Asia Minerals Corporation (TSX VENTURE: EAS) ("EAS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the restart of the drilling program and continued development at the Sangihe project in Indonesia.

East Asia Minerals is working with SGMS, an Indonesian based engineering firm to conduct engineering studies on the Sangihe projects. After completing a site visit to the Sangihe project in late August management has decided to reinitiate the drilling program as well as advance the development work at the Sangihe project. Exploration and development staff have been hired to develop a drill campaign for this site. The Company is evaluating the next stages and strategy for the project going forward, including an environmental impact assessment, metallurgical test work and feasibility studies.

Edward Rochette, Chief Executive Officer with East Asia Minerals stated: "We do not anticipate any permitting issues at Sangihe with respect to the upcoming exploration programs planned by Management and believe it's the perfect place for EAS to hit the re-start button. Management is extremely pleased with the site visit in late August and has taken steps to advance development of this project. This includes an evaluation of the proposed mine site, assimilation of information to plan the next steps for the project in addition to advancing relationships with the local government and community. The Company's goal is to have drills turning at Sangihe by the end of November".

The Sangihe Gold-Copper Project is located on the island of Sangihe off the northern coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia and has an existing 43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource of 27.3 million tonnes averaging 0.95 g/t gold and 13.58 g/t silver for 836,718 ounces gold and 11,927,237 ounces Silver (using a 0.25 g/t gold cut-off) in near and at surface oxides and sulphides. The oxide and sulphide parts of the deposit are separate. Without applying a cut-off there are 1,032,187 ounces gold and 19,371,490 ounces silver. (Please see East Asia Minerals news release dated September 22, 2010).

Dave Anthony, Chief Operating Officer of East Asia Minerals stated: "55% of the deposit is contained in oxide material and this should yield very high gold recovery at the start of operations. With conventional milling practices, we anticipate gold recovery could reach 90% from the oxide material. Further drilling is planned, to evaluate opportunities to increase the size of the resource. Metallurgical test work is planned, to evaluate processing requirements and to provide optimum economy for the life of mine."

About East Asia Minerals Corporation

East Asia Minerals (TSX VENTURE: EAS) is an Asian-based, Canadian mineral exploration company with gold and copper exploration properties in Indonesia, and uranium exploration properties in Mongolia. In Indonesia, the Company has a 70% to 85% interest in three advanced gold and gold-copper properties located in Aceh Province, Sumatra, and Sangihe Island, North Sulawesi. The Company owns nine uranium properties, including the advanced Ingiin-Nars, Ulaan Nuur and Enger uranium projects, and two phosphate properties in Mongolia. Its shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EAS".

David Anthony, P.Eng., the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, visit the Company's website at www.EAminerals.com

On Behalf of East Asia Minerals Corporation:

Edward Rochette, Chairman & CEO

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Cautionary Statements

Certain statements in this News Release, which are not historical in nature, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under applicable Canadian securities law. When used in this News Release, such statements use words such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "anticipate" and other similar terms. Forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future or performance results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward looking statement. Forward looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's future exploration and development activities; the impact of the appointments; timely receipt of third party or regulatory approvals; and the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used and that these factors and assumptions may be incomplete or incorrect. Forward looking statements are also subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect events or changes in circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Forward-looking statements should not be construed as investment advice. Readers should perform a detailed, independent investigation and analysis of the Company and are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making any investment decision.

Neither 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.

Contacts:

East Asia Minerals Corporation

Mike McAllister

Manager, Investor Relations

+1 416-309-2134
Info@EAminerals.com
www.EAminerals.com