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Astral Mining Corporation and Kootenay Gold Inc.: Astral and Kootenay Provide Update on Exploration Activities at Jumping Josep

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, October 15th 2009 at 10:29 GMT by Market Wire}  

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 15, 2009) - Astral Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE:AA)(PINK SHEETS:AAMJF) ("Astral" or "the Company") and joint venture partner Kootenay Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KTN) are pleased to announce an update on exploration progress to date for 2009. Jumping Josephine is host to the JJ Main discovery zone, a mineralized quartz stockwork zone, up to 12.4m true width, intersected in drilling over 900m along strike and vertically to a depth of 240m. Drilled for the first time in 2007, JJ Main has returned gold values of 19m averaging 7.01 g/t Au and 4m averaging 21.04 g/t Au from 2007 and 2008 programmes. (see January 18, 2008 and November 18, 2008 news releases for summary of results).

Work completed during 2009 at Jumping Josephine is consistent with Phase I recommendations put forward in a recent independent 43-101 report [ http://www.astralmining.com/i/pdf/2009-July_43-101.pdf ] and includes;

- Completion of a 5,000 point soil sampling program: The 100m x 100m staggered grid was designed to test for additional anomalies along strike from and adjacent to the JJ Main discovery zone. Airborne magnetics suggest that the structure hosting JJ Main could exceed 2.5km in length. In addition, drilling has intersected a second mineralised stockwork in one hole 400m across strike from the JJ Main stockwork (November 18 2008 news release). Assays from the current soil program are expected in the next few weeks.

- Completion of a 136m trenching program on the Highway showing: Situated approximately 2km southwest along strike from the JJ Main Gold Discovery zone, the highway showing has returned grab sample grades up to 5g/t Au. During September three trenches were cut across strike at the highway showing and channel sampling undertaken at 1m intervals. Assays from this work are still outstanding.

- Completion of Silt sampling over the Columbia-Rossland Claim Group: 518 reconnaissance silt samples were collected from drainages on the approximately 15,000 hectare claim group located adjacent to the Jumping Josephine Claim group. Assays for this work are still outstanding.

Astral has numerous prospective target areas on its Jumping Josephine property, now covering an area of 33,881ha, and planning is underway for a focussed trenching and diamond drilling program for the spring 2010.

Exploration work reported in this release was completed under the supervision of Astral's Project Geologist Dale Brittliffe, P.Geo., 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 ].

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.

Astral Shares Outstanding - 5,153,900

2009 Number 12

Neither the 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 news release.