Further Robust Rock Samples from African Queen's King Solomon Project Consistent with Initial Results; Confirm Potential for Sizeable Copper-Gold-Silver Polymetallic Regional System

• Press Release
• Source: African Queen Mines Ltd.
• On 3:01 am EDT, Wednesday October 14, 2009

VANCOUVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AFRICAN QUEEN MINES LTD. (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that assay results have now been received from Scientific Services Laboratories (South Africa) for a further 62 grab rock samples collected as part of the Phase 1 exploration program on its King Solomon Project on the Fingoe Belt in western Tete Province, Mozambique. Of the latest 62 samples collected, 11 reported gold values > 3 g/t Au, 5 reported copper values > 10 % Cu, and 4 reported silver values > 200 ppm ag. Zinc was present in many of the samples, ranging nearly 40% Zn in the case of one sample. The highest values obtained from any single samples were No. 055L: 11.20 g/t Au, 23.3% Cu and 256.0 ppm Ag; and No. 038L: 12.75 g/t Au, 4.55 % Cu and 255.5 ppm Ag. These samples were collected from outcroppings from the Kazito and Makombiti prospects within the 10 km anomalous mineralized zone and are believed to represent fairly typical examples of the mineralization exposed.

The results of these 62 samples are consistent with and in some respects more robust than the results reported in our prior Press Release dated September 17, 2009, for the 23 samples taken along strike and analyzed by Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd. (Vancouver). The current samples not only confirm the presence at surface of significant gold mineralization (35% of the samples reported > 1 g/t au), but also the polymetallic nature of the vein mineralization. In addition to the high values of copper and silver associated with the gold mineralization, high zinc values were reported. The results of additional trench and soil sampling data are presently being awaited over a number of identified targets and will be analysed and reported as soon as available.

Two highly prospective targets are the focus of our initial exploration efforts, with a view toward commencing shallow scout drilling during the next month. These are the Makombiti and Kazito Targets. The former consists of a malachite-bearing, magnetite skarn developed on the contact of a calcite marble and granite intrusive. Extensive shearing is present along this contact zone and a number of deep adits have been identified. The Kazito Prospect is identified as a possible continuation of the Makombiti contact zone towards the northeast. Gabbroic intrusives are in contact with calcitic and dolomitic marbles. A number of cross cutting shears have been identified and are associated with siderite alteration.

To date 85 grab samples have been analyzed and a total of 3 400 soil samples collected and submitted to laboratory. All 62 sample results presented in this press release have been analyzed by Scientific Services Laboratories of Cape Town, South Africa. Gold was analyzed using fire assay techniques, while the Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Mn values were completed by Atomic Absorption (AA).

The King Solomon Project is located within the central parts of the Mesoproterozoic Fingoe Belt in western Tete Province, Mozambique. These rocks consist of metavolcanics, metasediments and intrusive granitic and gabbroic rocks. The samples reported herein were taken from the license which is the subject of the Earn-in and Joint Venture Agreement dated July 10, 2009 (the “Agreement”), with Swiss-based Opti Metal Trading Limited (“Optimetal”), covering exploration, development and exploitation of Prospecting License No. 884L held by Optimetal’s Mozambique subsidiary (the “License”). The License covers an area of approximately 230 km² in the center of the Fingoe Belt, adjacent to permits which are the subject of existing earn-in and joint venture Agreements between the Company and Manica Minerals Ltd. and African Eagle Resources plc (AIM: AFE), respectively, covering an aggregate of 1359 sq.km.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company may earn up to an 85% interest in the License and related Project by funding prescribed stages from exploration through feasibility. Optimetal has the right to participate at its election pro-rata after the Company has reached 51% ownership interest. The Company is designated as manager and operator of the Project. By paying its 50% share of the Phase 1 costs estimated to be $300,000, the Company will earn a 25% interest in the Project.

The company has been exploring the Fingoe Belt during the last three years through various joint ventures with existing license holders such as Manica Minerals and African Eagle Resources. In terms of the JV agreement with Optimetal, the Phase 1 exploration effort has been focused on the rock and soil sampling of a number of defined target areas, as well as detailed mapping and trench sampling.

Work comprising the Phase 1 Exploration Program is being conducted by Remote Exploration Services (“RES”) of Cape Town, S.A. under the direction of C. Ocker on behalf of the joint venture partners. RES has been conducting field programs for the Company on the Fingoe Regional Gold Project from the initiation of the program in 2006. The Project is being managed on behalf of the Company by Senior Consulting Geologist Mr. Pete Siegfried (M.Sc., MAusIMM), a qualified person, who has reviewed and approved the contents of this Press Release. All sample results presented in this Press Release have been analyzed by Scientific Services Laboratories (Cape Town) and submitted under the guidance of Mr. Siegfried. Overall sampling and laboratory protocols are overseen by Mr. Ardito Martohardjono, a Director, who manages the Company’s laboratory services. A site visit is scheduled in the near future by Dr. Peter Christopher, P.Eng. of Vancouver, who is preparing a Technical Report on the Project in accordance with N.I. 43-101.

According to Irwin Olian, CEO of the Company, “Further sample results from the King Solomon Project are proving to be consistent with the initial results, pointing to the potential presence of a large regional gold-bearing poylmetallic system. The King Solomon Project is now the focal point for our work on Mozambique’s Fingoe Belt through various joint ventures. Our exploration work is accelerating.”

About African-Queen

The Company is an exploratory resource company with diversified mineral properties in Southern Africa. It is exploring its properties in Botswana and Namibia for diamonds, and it is exploring its properties in Mozambique for gold and other metals. The Company’s licences in Botswana and Namibia comprise approximately 11,800 sq km of diamond prospects. In Mozambique it has approximately 1689 sq km of gold and other metals licences under agreements with three other companies. Its operations in Botswana are carried out through its operating subsidiary, PAM Botswana (Pty) Ltd.; its operations in Namibia are carried out through its operating subsidiary PAM Minerals Namibia (Pty) Ltd.; and its operations in Mozambique are carried out through its subsidiary PAM Mocambique Limitada. The Company has its executive offices in Vancouver, Canada.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of the information contained herein. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company’s expectations.

African Queen Mines Ltd.
Irwin Olian, President and CEO
Phone: 604-899-0100
Fax: 604-899-0200
tigertail@africanqueenmines.com
or
Corporate Communications
Carrie Howes
Phone: Düsseldorf - +49 (0) 1722 1234 47
Phone: London - +44 (0) 7780 602 788
carrie@africanqueenmines.com