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Astral Mining Corporation and Kootenay Gold Inc.: Astral and Kootenay Intersect New Stockwork Zone and Extend Main Discovery Zo

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 18, 2008) - Astral Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE:AST)(PINK SHEETS:ASMGF)(FRANKFURT:A7D)(WKN# A0JDX3) ("Astral" or "the Company") and joint venture partners Kootenay Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KTN) are pleased to announce the final results from a 34 hole, 5071.81m HQ diamond drilling program at the Jumping Josephine Gold Project in south-eastern British Columbia. Significant outcomes of this program include;

- Extension of the JJ Main Discovery Zone 180m south along strike from previous drilling. The zone has been intersected over 900m horizontal extent and to a maximum vertical depth of 240m.

- Discovery of a second stockwork zone 400m southeast of the JJ Main zone, indicating the potential for parallel, structurally-controlled mineralization.

- Results up to 4m @ 21.04 g/t gold from infill drilling at the discovery zone, supporting previous work.

In addition, Astral's surface exploration has returned grades up to 5.0 g/t gold from rock samples along the JJ Main trend some 1.5km from the nearest drilling. Based on drilling to date, the zone is open to depth and along strike. Surface evidence suggests the mineralized zone could exceed 2.5km in length.

The drill program was designed to test three aspects of the JJ Main Discovery Zone and comprised infill drilling to better define width and grade distribution within the known mineralized stockwork zone, drill-testing of two selected 3D-IP chargeability anomalies and extension drilling on the JJ Main structure along strike. A plan view of the drilling at JJ main may be seen at [ http://www.astralmining.com/i/misc/Drill_Plan2008.jpg ] and an updated long section of mineralization may also be viewed at [ http://www.astralmining.com/i/misc/JJ_Long_Section2008.jpg ].

Infill drilling comprised 30 HQ diamond drill holes (08JD070-100, 08JD091 abandoned) for a total of 3632.49m; all holes intersected quartz stockwork veining within and below the known JJ Main stockwork zone. The 2008 drilling provides better definition to the mineralized zone delineated in 2007 with significant assays including 4m grading 21.04 g/t gold from hole 08JD092. Drilled intercept density within the higher-grade mineralized shoot underneath the surface discovery zone is now approximately 20m x 20m.

Table 1: Infill Drilling - Significant Results
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 Au
 g/t
 Inter- (i) Inter- Au
 UTME UTMN Azi- val (wt val opt
Hole ID (iv) (iv) Dip muth From To (m) avg) (ft) (ii)
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08JD075 429786 5456767 -70 316 16.0 31.3 15.3 0.71 50.1 0.021
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08JD076 429801 5456752 -45 315 30.5 37.3 6.8 0.84 22.1 0.025
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08JD077 429801 5456752 -90 315 37.5 54.5 17.0 1.50 55.8 0.044
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (incl) 49.5 50.5 1.0 15.90 3.3 0.464
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08JD078 429785 5456728 -45 315 40.0 49.0 9.0 3.94 29.5 0.115
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (incl) 41.0 42.0 1.0 13.75 3.3 0.402
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
08JD079 429785 5456728 -65 315 54.0 71.0 17.0 1.25 55.8 0.037
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (incl) 64.0 67.0 3.0 2.58 9.8 0.075
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
08JD080 429785 5456728 -80 315 102.0 103.0 1.0 1.31 3.3 0.038
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08JD081 429728 5456672 -45 315 30.0 37.0 7.0 2.43 22.9 0.071
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08JD082 429728 5456672 -60 319 44.5 48.0 3.5 11.24 11.5 0.328
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08JD083 429728 5456672 -75 315 51.0 59.0 8.0 1.71 26.2 0.050
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (and) 67.0 68.0 1.0 2.48 3.3 0.072
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08JD084 429768 5456689 -50 315 61.0 65.0 4.0 1.60 13.1 0.047
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08JD085 429768 5456689 -65 315 74.0 84.0 10.0 1.01 32.8 0.029
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08JD086 429788 5456668 -60 320 104.0 119.0 15.0 1.24 49.20 0.036
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08JD087 429788 5456668 -75 322 144.0 147.0 3.0 1 9.84 0.029
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08JD088 429767 5456633 -55 316 127.0 129.0 2.0 3.42 6.56 0.100
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08JD089 429767 5456633 -70 313 140.0 141.0 1.0 6.77 3.28 0.198
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08JD090 429767 5456633 -78 315 164.0 172.0 8.0 1.84 26.24 0.054
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 (and) 180.0 183.0 3.0 3.34 9.84 0.098
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08JD092 429844 5456675 -50 318 118.0 122.0 4.0 21.04 13.12 0.614
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 (incl) 119.0 120.0 1.0 50.2 3.28 1.466
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08JD093 429844 5456675 -50 318 122.1 124.0 1.9 1.10 6.23 0.032
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08JD094 429844 5456675 -60 318 167.0 169.0 2.0 2.96 6.56 0.086
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08JD095 429718 5456626 -70 315 61.0 65.0 4.0 4.08 13.12 0.119
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08JD096 429718 5456626 -45 315 74.0 80.0 6.0 8.73 19.68 0.255
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08JD097 429718 5456626 -75 312 98.5 102.0 3.5 3.30 11.48 0.096
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 (and) 110.0 112.0 2.0 1.70 6.56 0.050
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08JD098 429701 5456642 -45 315 37.0 38.0 1.0 0.22 3.28 0.006
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08JD099 429757 5456556 -65 315 170.0 188.0 18.0 1.14 59.04 0.033
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 (incl) 172.0 176.0 4.0 2.46 13.12 0.072
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08JD100 429757 5456556 -75 314 227.0 228.0 1.0 5.72 3.28 0.167
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 (and) 232.0 236.0 4.0 1.17 13.12 0.034
 (iii)
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(i) grams per metric tonne
(ii) troy ounce per short ton
(iii) 1.05m core loss within interval
(iv) NAD 83 UTM Zone 11 - collars spotted with compass and chain from
 known collar locations

Two drillholes (08JD101 and 102) totalling 893.59m were completed to test two selected 3D-Induced Polarization chargeability anomalies beneath and adjacent to known mineralization. 08JD101 (453.35m) targeted a columnar-shaped chargeability anomaly extending upwards from a deeper and larger anomaly centred beneath the location of the JJ Main showing. This hole encountered felsic intrusive country rocks showing variable propylitic and potassic alteration often accompanied by fine disseminated pyrite +/- rare sphalerite and weak to moderate silicification. Gold values were generally low, though one significant intercept was returned from 08JD101 where the hole passed through the JJ Main stockwork zone (see Table 2).

08JD102 (440.24m) collared some 400m southeast (perpendicular to strike) from the JJ Main Zone and targeted a columnar chargeability anomaly extending to near surface. This hole encountered a 2.5m wide zone of stockwork veining from 162m averaging 0.36 g/t gold, containing arsenopyrite and pyrite, visually similar to the JJ Main Zone, suggesting the existence of a new previously-undiscovered stockwork zone. Given the variability of grade along strike and down plunge at the JJ Main Zone, this discovery is considered to be very significant and lends support to Astral's model that predicts the presence of additional structurally-controlled, parallel stockwork zones within the immediate 2km x 3km area surrounding the JJ Main Discovery Zone. Significant intercepts are presented below.

Table 2: I.P. Anomaly drilling - Significant Results
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 Au
 Inter- g/t Inter-
 UTME UTMN Azi- val (wt. val Au
Hole ID (iv) (iv) DIP muth From To (m) avg) (ft) opt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
08JD101 430042 5456980 -60 260 163.7 165.5 1.8 0.84 5.9 0.025
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08JD102 429845 5456140 -75 180 162.0 164.5 2.5 0.36 8.2 0.011
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Two drillholes (08JD103 and 104) totalling 545.73m were completed to test the southward extension of the JJ Main structure. 08JD103 (116.77m) sought to test for possible flexure in the mineralized structure while 08JD104 (428.96m) tested the main zone 180m south, and directly along strike from, previous drilling. 08JD103 did not detect a south-trending flexure. 08JD104 intersected a 12.4m wide quartz stockwork zone from 263m containing minor pyrite and chalcopyrite +/- arsenopyrite. This zone is visually similar to the quartz stockwork that comprises the JJ Main Zone and effectively increases known occurrence of veining along the structural corridor to 900m.

Table 3: Extension Drilling - Significant Results
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 Au
 Inter- g/t Inter-
 UTME UTMN Azi- val (wt val Au
Hole ID (iv) (iv) DIP muth From To (m) avg) (ft) opt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
08JD103 429700 5456407 -45 315 no significant intercepts
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08JD104 429555 5456262 -65 305 264.0 275.0 11.0 0.32 36.1 0.009
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In addition to diamond drilling, Astral has maintained ongoing surface sampling, geological mapping and trenching. Fieldwork has now finished for 2008 and will recommence in spring 2009. Encouraging rock chip results along strike from the JJ Main discovery zone late in the season prompted Astral to submit application for trenching at this site. The permit was not received before the cessation of operations and as such will be undertaken early in spring 2009.

A series of applications for work at Jumping Josephine will be prepared over the winter period and will include an expanded drill program designed to further test JJ Main and for parallel zones, an expanded trenching operation over several prospective showings, and preparations for an application for bulk testing at the JJ Main Discovery Zone. The extraction of a 10,000 tonne bulk sample will provide a reconciled head grade for JJ Main Zone, useful in determining the effectiveness of assay methods where coarse gold is present. Astral is also planning metallurgical testwork on samples from JJ Main over the winter to assess the amenability of the material to modern processing methods.

All drill core samples reported above were from HQ diameter core halved by diamond saw. Given the occurrence of visible gold often observed in the mineralized zone, a large 1,000g portion of each pulverized sample was analyzed for gold by the Screen Fire assay method. All reported analyses were carried out by ALS Chemex in North Vancouver B.C. ALS-Chemex is an internationally-recognized analytical service provider compliant with ISO 9001:2000 for the provision of assay and geochemical services. The Vancouver laboratory has also been accredited to ISO 17025 standards for specific laboratory procedures by the Standards Council of Canada. In addition to laboratory standards, Astral has included independently-prepared standards into the sample sequence to assure proper quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).

Exploration work reported in this release was completed under the supervision of Astral's Project Geologist Dale Brittliffe, P.Geo. Technical information contained in this release has been reviewed by Dr. David A. Terry, P.Geo., Director of Astral Mining Corporation, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Astral has earned a 60% interest in the JJ Project from Kootenay (see May, 2008 news release).

Astral Mining Corporation is a Canadian company engaged in the exploration and development of precious metal properties in North America. By focusing on exploration in mining-friendly districts, the Company minimizes the political and social risks encountered in many other parts of the world. With a new gold discovery at the Company's Jumping Josephine Gold Project in Southern British Columbia and an experienced technical team and seasoned management, Astral is poised to leverage this expertise into early exploration success. Further details on Astral Mining Corporation and its high-quality portfolio of exploration projects can be found at [ www.astralmining.com ].

Kootenay is an emerging exploration Company actively developing a suite of premier gold and silver projects in British Columbia, Canada and Mexico. Kootenay's top priority remains the ongoing aggressive development of its rich Promontorio Silver project, which encompasses the former producing Promontorio Silver Mine in Northwest Mexico. Supported by an experienced and accomplished technical team, over the past four years Kootenay has substantially grown its mineral asset base through key acquisitions, while successfully achieving four new mineral discoveries in the Rossland Republic Gold Trend of British Columbia. Further information can be found at: [ www.kootenaygold.ca ].

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mr. Manfred Kurschner, President & CEO

Astral Mining Corporation

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mr. James M. McDonald, CEO

Kootenay Gold Inc.

Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

2008 Number 12

Astral Shares Outstanding - 24,817,008

Kootenay Shares Outstanding - 37,789,600

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.