Comstock Mining Commences Mining Operations

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Comstock Mining Inc. (the "Company" or "Comstock") (NYSE Amex: LODE) announced that it has begun hauling ore from the Lucerne mine to its process area in American Flat. This marks the commencement of full mining activities and the highly anticipated return of mining to the historic Comstock Lode near Virginia City and Gold Hill, Nevada.

Mining commenced once the Company completed commissioning its new crushing facility. As a result, ore will now be crushed, agglomerated and stacked onto the newly expanded heap pads.  During this period of time, the Company will also complete the commissioning of the expanded Merrill Crowe/refinery facility, fully completing the construction phase of Comstock's march to production.  Once the Company has stacked a sufficient quantity of agglomerated ore, it will also introduce solution and commence the leaching processes. The addition of solution to the heap through a buried irrigation system will then initiate the recovery of gold and silver from the ore. The final step, pouring gold and silver Dore, will begin once a sufficient quantity of the precious metals has been captured by the Merrill Crowe's zinc precipitation process. The Company estimates the first pouring of gold and silver will occur in September.

"The last six months represents a tremendously focused march to production, effectively building our team, the mine and the entire operating facility," stated Corrado De Gasperis, President and CEO of Comstock. "On behalf of the entire Comstock Team, it is very satisfying to say that we are Nevada's Newest Gold and Silver Miner."

Once the complete mining and recovery process stabilizes from the initial start-up mode, the Company estimates production to quickly reach annual run rates of approximately one million tons of ore processed.  Based on the current mine plan, this should generate approximately 20,000 gold equivalent ounces per annum.

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call on August 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time/2:00 p.m. Eastern Time to report Second Quarter 2012 results and provide a business update.

The live call will include a moderated Q&A, after the prepared remarks. The dial-in telephone numbers for the live audio are as follows:

North American Toll Free: 1-866-544-4625

Canada Local / International: 416-849-2726

The audio will be available following the call, and for 30 days thereafter, at http://www.comstockmining.com/investors/investor-library

About Comstock Mining Inc.

Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District.  The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003.  Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and brought the exploration project into test mining production.  The Company continues acquiring additional properties in the district, expanding its footprint and creating opportunities for exploration and mining.  The goal of its strategic plan is to deliver stockholder value by validating qualified resources (at least measured and indicated) and reserves (probable and proven) of 3,250,000 gold equivalent ounces in 2013, and commencing commercial mining and processing operations with annual production rates of 20,000 gold equivalent ounces.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any related calls or discussions may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future prices and sales of and demand for our products; future industry market conditions; future changes in our exploration activities, production capacity and operations; future exploration, production, operating and overhead costs; operational and management restructuring activities (including implementation of methodologies and changes in the board of directors); future employment and contributions of personnel; tax and interest rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature, timing and accounting for restructuring charges, gains or losses on debt extinguishment, derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; productivity, business process, rationalization, restructuring, investment, acquisition, consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in our SEC filings and the following: the current global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources and reserves; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to continue to comply with government regulations; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; business opportunities that may be presented to or pursued by us; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to unexpected equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, copper, diesel fuel, and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues organically; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies and equipment raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

SOURCE Comstock Mining Inc.