Atna Identifies Potential to Increase Reserves at Reward Project

GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Atna Resources Ltd. ("Atna" or the "Company") (TSX: ATN / OTC Bulletin Board: ATNAF) is pleased to provide the results of ongoing development activities at the Reward gold project in Nye County, Nevada.

Three core holes drilled for metallurgical and geotechnical data have now been cut and assayed and two of the holes returned significant mineralized intervals as follows:

• MC-01 returned an intercept of 130 feet grading 0.024 oz/ton Au (90 feet to 220 feet)
• MC-03 returned an intercept commencing at the surface and continuing down-hole 190 feet grading 0.020 oz/ton Au (0 feet-190 feet)

Both intercepts occur within the engineered pit plan and may increase proven and probable reserves by re-categorizing areas of in-pit resources to higher confidence levels. The holes were drilled vertically and the intercepts represent nearly true widths of the gently dipping mineralized horizon within the Cambrian Woods Canyon Formation siltstones and phyllitic shales. The third hole was unmineralized and drilled entirely within the overlying dolomite and limestone which will make up the eastern high wall of the planned open pit. These results demonstrate that additional infill drilling may contribute to the development of additional reserves within the existing pit shell. In addition, the majority of the drillholes on the eastern flank of the Reward mineral resource model terminated in ore grade mineralization indicating a probable extension of the mineral resource. A new drill program is planned to further delineate the potential extension to the east.

Jim Hesketh, CEO, states that, "We are very pleased to see the possibility to upgrade the quality of the resources and to increase the reserves and mine life at Reward.  Permitting the operation in advance of major exploration and development expenditures has proved an effective means to maximize our opportunity and to minimize our capital risk."

Additional exploration work over recent months has included extensive road cut channel sampling to refine the surface gold footprint in the main pit area. This work defined a surface area in excess of 1,000 feet long by 100 to 250 feet wide in the heart of the main Reward pit footprint area where ore grade gold mineralization is exposed and where mining will encounter no waste rock overlying the main ore zone.

Atna has received all necessary permits and approvals for Reward Mine development and has posted the initial reclamation bond which allows development to commence. Bid packages for crushing and contract mining alternatives have been received. Owner mining versus contract mining cases are being evaluated by the Company. Initial project development includes construction of a site perimeter fence, access road improvement, water well development, and site power which will be provided by a local utility.

For additional information on Atna, its mining, development and exploration projects, please visit our website at www.atna.com.

Analytical results contained within this press release were completed by standard fire assay methods with an atomic absorption or gravimetric finish by Inspectorate America Corporation, an ISO certified commercial analytical laboratory, located in Sparks, Nevada. Atna maintains a rigorous Quality Assurance - Quality Control program utilizing both certified gold standards and blanks to augment Inspectorate's internal QA/QC program.  This press release was prepared under the supervision and review of William Stanley, V.P. Exploration of Atna, a Licensed Geologist, and Qualified Person with the ability and authority to verify the authenticity and validity of information contained within this news release.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical fact. They are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: the Company might encounter problems such as the significant depreciation of metals prices; accidents and other risks associated with mining exploration and development operations; the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors; the Company's need for and ability to obtain additional financing; the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration programs; and the other risk factors discussed in greater detail in the Company's various filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) with Canadian securities regulators and its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 2009 Form 20-F dated March 26, 2010.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors — The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this report, such as "measured," "indicated," "inferred," and "resources," that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to closely consider the disclosure in our Form 20-F which may be obtained from Atna or found online at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Atna Resources Ltd.