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CALGARY, Alberta - Alhambra Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: ALH) ("Alhambra" or the "Corporation"), an international gold producer and explorer, announces assay results for 46 diamond drill holes ("DDH") completed at its 100% owned advanced exploration drilling target at the Shirotnaia project area ("Shirotnaia"). Diamond drilling has expanded the dimensions of the area hosting the currently known zones of gold mineralization to 1,800 metres ("m") by 750 m, and remains open in three directions and depth. This drilling program will be entered into the data bases and included in an independent National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 resource estimate being generated.

Shirotnaia is located within Alhambra's 100% owned Uzboy Project in Kazakhstan (see location map, Figure 1) and is immediately adjacent to the world-class Aksu and Quartzite Hills gold deposits currently being mined by KazakhGold Group Limited ("KazakhGold").

HIGHLIGHTS

Mr. John J. Komarnicki, Alhambra's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are very excited with the drill results being released today as they have not only intersected many higher-grade intervals of gold mineralization, but have also expanded the known area of gold mineralization. Shirotnaia is one of our priority exploration targets and will continue to be so in 2012. These positive results are now being incorporated into a National Instrument 43-101 resource estimate which is expected in the first quarter of 2012."

DRILLING PROGRAM SUMMARY

The diamond drilling program consisted of 49 holes totaling 6,833.8 m. The average depth of the holes was 139 m. Of the 49 holes completed, assay results for 46 holes totaling 6,344.4 m have been received and are being reported (see Table 1 and Figure 2). The drill samples of the remaining 3 holes have yet to be exported for assaying.

The objective of the recent drilling program was to drill test the strike and dip extent of the recently interpreted higher grade zones (see News Releases dated March 10, 2010 and April 28, 2011) of gold mineralization as indicated by rotary air-blast ("RAB"), hydro-core lift ("KGK") and reverse circulation ("RC") drilling.

Numerous mineralized intervals of oxide, transitional and sulphide gold mineralization were encountered by previous diamond drilling programs. The 2011 core drilling program has demonstrated the continuity of the mineralization and has better defined the shape of the mineralized zones. The area of gold mineralization has been extended approximately 600 m to the NE and 200 m to the SW toward Zone 3 that was discovered in 2007.

The five most explored zones of gold mineralization at Shirotnaia are summarized below.

Zone #1 (Main Zone)

This zone of gold mineralization that has been outlined by 2007 core drilling was extended approximately 200 m along strike to the SW, in the direction of the Western Zone (Zone #3). The best mineralized interval from the 2011 drilling program in this zone was in DDH 03-02 that returned 28.00 m @ 1.19 g/t Au (including 3.00 m @ 5.24 g/t Au) and 13.00 m @ 2.33 g/t Au (including 7.00 m @ 4.11 g/t Au).

Zone #2 (Southern Zone)

This zone of mineralization was originally discovered by RAB and KGK drilling and was intersected in DDH 32-02. This zone has been extended 120 m along strike and 55 m along dip. At depth, this zone splits into two wider zones. DDH 28-07 intersected mineralized intervals of 31.50 m @ 1.35 g/t Au (including 12.60 m @ 2.77 g/t Au) and 20.40 m @ 1.02 g/t Au. Taking into consideration the positive geological features logged in DDH 44-01 and DDH 52-03 (being intensive hydrothermal alteration including silicification and presence of pyrite together with disseminated galena), the strike length of this zone could reach at least 350 m, remaining open to the SW.

Zone #3 (Western Zone)

This zone was intersected by the 2007 diamond drilling program. If further drilling demonstrates that the gold mineralization continues between the Western Zone and the Main Zone (Zone #1) which has already been expanded by 200 m in this direction, the Shirotnaia mineralized area will reach the total size of 2,600 m by 750 m thereby increasing the area of known mineralization by 44%.

Zone #4 (Northern Zone)

This zone of mineralization was discovered by previous trenching and RAB and KGK drill programs. In 2010, low grade gold mineralization was intersected in DDH 72-01 and DDH 100-01. The 2011 drill program established that the higher-grade part of the zone ran at least 500 m along strike and 75 m down dip having a width of 4.0 m to 18.0 m. DDH 96-01 demonstrates that the zone becomes wider at depth. The two best mineralized intervals in this hole are 18.00 m @ 1.10 g/t Au and 8.00 m @ 2.01 g/t Au. The mineralization continues to the NE as a set of low-grade zones of gold mineralization with narrower higher-grade zones (2.0 m @ 1.63 g/t Au in hole DDH 128-02). The northern flank of this zone remains underexplored.

Zone #5 (Central Zone)

This zone was originally discovered by previous trenching and RAB drill programs. In 2010, DDH 100-02 intersected higher-grade mineralization at depth (36.0 m @ 4.32 g/t Au). The 2011 drill program has proven that the length of the higher-grade part of the zone is approximately 550 m along strike and at least 115 m down dip. Its width varies from 3.0 m to 14.0 m. This mineralization zone consists of at least two segments and its higher-grade part becomes wider at depth. The zone returned several higher-grade intercepts the best of which are 14.00 m @ 1.10 g/t Au in DDH 52-02, 9.00 m @ 4.83 g/t Au in DDH 80-03 and 7.00 m @ 4.15 g/t Au in DDH 96-03. Similar to Zone #4, Zone #5 continues to the NE as low-grade gold mineralization that contains narrow (1.0 m to 3.0 m wide) but higher-grade (up to 1.29 g/t Au) gold mineralization another 550 m to the E and remains open in this direction.

Alhambra anticipated that a follow-up RC and deeper core drilling program will be conducted to help further define the exact pattern and parameters of gold mineralization at Shirotnaia.

SHIROTNAIA REGIONAL SETTING

Shirotnaia is located within Alhambra's 9,800 square kilometre ("km2") mineral license located within that part of the Central Asia-Chinese Altayshan Gold Belt that crosses northern Kazakhstan. On the eastern side of Alhambra's license, the Corporation controls at least 50 kilometres ("kms") of an emerging gold trend that extends from North Balusty to the south; where it crosses the southern border of Alhambra's license. The multi-million ounce Aksu and Quartzite Hills gold deposits held by KazakhGold Group Limited are located approximately 3 kms southeast of Alhambra's Shirotnaia project area. Inside this trend, Alhambra controls the North Balusty, Dombraly, Kerbay and Shirotnaia zones of gold mineralization (see Figure 3 and previous news releases).

DRILLING AND SAMPLING PROCEDURES

For the core drilling, an NQ diamond drilling core barrel was utilized and average core recovery was 99%. The core was split by the drilling contractor under the supervision of the Corporation's geologists with one half used for sampling and another half left for references. Every meter of core was sampled and the exact borders of the sampling interval were determined according to the lithological contacts. The average sample weight was 2 kilograms.

Sample preparation was completed by Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories located in Kyrgyzstan using the following procedure: samples were crushed to minus 2 mm, mixed and split into two 200 gram sub-samples. One sub-sample was pulverized to - 200 mesh and the other sub-sample was retained for reference purposes. A 30 gram sample of the -200 mesh material was used for fire assay atomic absorption finish. Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories is independent of Alhambra and does have an International Standard Organization ("ISO") 17025 accreditation.

Table 1 – Summary Shirotnaia Diamond Drilling Results
Section DDH# Length Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Grade Au (g/t) Mineralization Type
19 DDH 19-01 150.00 145 -60 69.60 71.60 2.00 0.72 Sulphide
79.00 92.00 13.00 0.75 Sulphide
including 79.00 88.00 9.00 0.98 Sulphide
including 80.00 87.00 7.00 1.07 Sulphide
112.00 123.00 11.00 0.82 Sulphide
including 112.00 115.00 3.00 1.41 Sulphide
and including 120.00 122.00 2.00 1.78 Sulphide
129.00 150.00 21.00 0.33 Sulphide
133.00 136.00 3.00 0.99 Sulphide
11 DDH 11-01 151.00 145 -60 10.00 28.40 18.40 0.60 Oxide
including 10.00 12.80 2.80 1.50 Oxide
and including 19.80 22.80 3.00 1.16 Oxide
48.30 53.30 5.00 0.49 Sulphide
64.30 88.00 23.70 0.24 Sulphide
including 64.30 77.00 12.70 0.59 Sulphide
98.00 103.00 5.00 0.41 Sulphide
120.00 148.20 28.20 0.35 Sulphide
including 120.00 124.00 4.00 1.17 Sulphide
DDH 03-01 109.00 145 -60 43.00 52.00 9.00 0.77 Sulphide
including 44.00 48.00 4.00 1.38 Sulphide
3 DDH 03-02 152.00 145 -60 0.00 8.00 8.00 0.58 Oxide
including 0.00 3.00 3.00 1.06 Oxide
10.00 38.00 28.00 1.19 Transition
including 26.20 29.20 3.00 5.24 Transition
including 28.20 29.20 1.00 11.60 Transition
48.00 61.00 13.00 2.33 Sulphide
including 52.00 59.00 7.00 4.11 Sulphide
including 52.00 54.00 2.00 9.11 Sulphide
66.00 75.00 9.00 0.53 Sulphide
81.00 91.00 10.00 0.68 Sulphide
including 87.00 88.00 1.00 4.37 Sulphide
95.00 102.40 7.40 0.80 Sulphide
118.00 119.00 1.00 1.49 Sulphide
4 DDH 04-01 100.70 145 -60 14.00 20.00 6.00 0.39 Oxide
45.00 74.40 29.40 0.37 Sulphide
83.40 100.70 17.30 0.70 Sulphide
including 89.40 92.40 3.00 1.78 Sulphide
DDH 04-02 160.80 145 -60 6.00 35.50 29.50 0.35 Transition
including 14.30 20.30 6.00 0.53 Oxide
including 14.30 15.30 1.00 1.45 Oxide
43.50 49.50 6.00 0.38 Sulphide
95.70 103.70 8.00 0.27 Sulphide
121.70 131.30 9.60 0.32 Sulphide
137.30 139.30 2.00 0.94 Sulphide
12 DDH 12-03 100.40 145 -60 25.10 33.90 8.80 1.08 Sulphide
including 26.90 30.90 4.00 2.13 Sulphide
including 28.90 30.90 2.00 3.62 Sulphide
56.60 61.40 4.80 0.50 Sulphide
88.40 100.40 12.00 0.37 Sulphide
24 DDH 24-05 100.30 145 -60 17.00 22.00 5.00 0.26 Oxide
25.00 34.00 9.00 0.92 Oxide
including 29.00 33.00 4.00 1.66 Oxide
69.50 72.80 3.30 0.65 Sulphide
86.20 91.70 5.50 0.36 Sulphide
28 DHH 28-03 240.40 145 -60 0.00 6.00 6.00 1.12 Oxide
including 0.00 3.00 3.00 1.97 Oxide
13.00 15.00 2.00 0.79 Oxide
64.20 117.00 52.80 0.31 Sulphide
123.00 129.50 6.50 0.34 Sulphide
148.70 167.40 18.70 0.23 Sulphide
DHH 28-05 250.30 145 -60 10.00 27.50 17.50 0.52 Oxide
including 10.00 11.00 1.00 3.12 Oxide
48.80 56.10 7.30 0.28 Sulphide
65.50 71.50 6.00 0.60 Sulphide
DHH 28-06 185.50 145 -60 NSR
DHH 28-07 151.10 145 -60 39.00 50.20 11.20 0.29 Transition
59.20 90.70 31.50 1.35 Transition
including 70.20 82.80 12.60 2.77 Transition
100.70 121.10 20.40 1.02 Sulphide
including 107.30 119.10 11.80 1.56 Sulphide
140.90 145.90 5.00 0.29 Sulphide
36 DDH 36-01 120.00 145 -60 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.83 Oxide
including 2.00 3.00 1.00 1.71 Oxide
13.00 19.00 6.00 0.43 Oxide
44.00 50.60 6.60 0.34 Transition
DDH 36-02 110.20 145 -60 43.00 46.00 3.00 0.55 Oxide
including 44.00 45.00 1.00 1.21 Oxide
63.00 68.00 5.00 0.30 Sulphide
DDH 36-03 146.00 145 -60 0.00 6.00 6.00 0.22 Oxide
27.00 29.00 2.00 0.74 Oxide
including 27.00 28.00 1.00 1.07 Oxide
44 DDH 44-02 100.10 145 -60 37.70 43.70 6.00 0.80 Sulphide
including 37.70 41.70 4.00 1.06 Sulphide
48 DDH 48-01 180.10 145 -60 2.00 9.30 7.30 0.57 Oxide
including 5.00 9.30 4.30 0.81 Oxide
45.10 48.60 3.50 1.31 Sulphide
including 45.10 47.60 2.50 1.73 Sulphide
64.60 68.60 4.00 1.07 Sulphide
77.70 80.70 3.00 17.15 Sulphide
including 78.70 79.70 1.00 50.10 Sulphide
116.70 121.70 5.00 0.95 Sulphide
including 116.70 118.70 2.00 2.15 Sulphide
52 DDH 52-01 120.20 145 -60 13.30 21.00 7.70 0.43 Oxide
29.00 33.00 4.00 0.83 Sulphide
70.70 92.00 21.30 1.43 Sulphide
including 74.70 91.50 16.80 1.68 Sulphide
DDH 52-02 110.00 145 -60 80.30 94.30 14.00 1.10 Sulphide
86.30 94.30 8.00 1.79 Sulphide
60 DDH 60-01 120.00 145 -60 5.00 11.00 6.00 1.76 Oxide
including 8.00 11.00 3.00 3.09 Oxide
17.00 27.80 10.80 0.47 Oxide
68.40 89.30 20.90 0.37 Sulphide
DDH 60-02 120.00 145 -60 43.00 45.40 2.40 0.49 Sulphide
DDH 60-03 110.50 145 -60 NSR
DDH 60-04 100.00 145 -60 25.00 35.00 10.00 0.41 Transition
DDH 60-05 100.00 145 -60 NSR
64 DDH 64-01 174.90 145 -60 8.00 18.10 10.10 2.88 Oxide
including 8.00 10.00 2.00 12.09 Oxide
63.00 80.00 17.00 0.58 Sulphide
including 70.00 78.00 8.00 0.93 Sulphide
116.00 127.00 11.00 0.48 Sulphide
154.00 173.00 19.00 0.37 Sulphide
DDH 64-02 120.00 145 -60 0.00 2.00 2.00 0.67 Oxide
59.10 73.10 14.00 0.50 Sulphide
76.10 91.20 15.10 0.92 Sulphide
including 79.60 83.20 3.60 2.15 Sulphide
and including 86.20 88.20 2.00 2.03 Sulphide
113.20 118.20 5.00 0.96 Sulphide
including 115.20 118.20 3.00 1.40 Sulphide
DDH 64-03 105.00 145 -60 68.10 73.10 5.00 1.21 Sulphide
including 69.10 70.10 1.00 5.07 Sulphide
72 DDH 72-05 170.00 145 -60 27.60 28.50 0.90 1.18 Transition
44.40 66.50 22.10 0.36 Sulphide
including 44.40 55.40 11.00 0.50 Sulphide
72.50 101.30 28.80 0.53 Sulphide
including 78.00 86.00 8.00 1.11 Sulphide
105.30 126.00 20.70 0.54 Sulphide
including 121.50 124.50 3.00 1.05 Sulphide
130.50 139.40 8.90 0.96 Sulphide
138.40 139.40 1.00 5.52 Sulphide
80 DDH 80-01 125.20 145 -60 56.40 61.40 5.00 0.32 Sulphide
75.50 81.50 6.00 0.27 Sulphide
99.00 102.00 3.00 0.47 Sulphide
106.00 110.00 4.00 1.90 Sulphide
DDH 80-02 200.00 145 -60 7.00 10.00 3.00 0.67 Oxide
17.00 24.00 7.00 0.27 Transition
29.00 33.80 4.80 0.29 Sulphide
38.80 43.80 5.00 0.35 Sulphide
103.80 124.20 20.40 0.57 Sulphide
including 113.80 115.80 2.00 1.67 Sulphide
and including 121.20 122.20 1.00 4.21 Sulphide
128.20 158.30 30.10 0.51 Sulphide
including 134.90 142.90 8.00 0.93 Sulphide
162.30 174.30 12.00 0.39 Sulphide
DDH 80-03 101.60 145 -60 1.00 10.00 9.00 4.83 Oxide
including 6.00 10.00 4.00 10.52 Oxide
including 6.00 7.00 1.00 38.40 Oxide
84 DDH 84-01 160.00 145 -60 16.00 28.80 12.80 0.38 Oxide
38.60 49.00 10.40 1.21 Sulphide
including 42.60 49.00 6.40 1.85 Sulphide
including 47.60 49.00 1.40 5.61 Sulphide
117.10 120.40 3.30 0.52 Sulphide
DDH 84-02 150.00 145 -60 11.00 14.00 3.00 0.93 Oxide
including 13.00 14.00 1.00 2.03 Oxide
18.00 22.00 4.00 0.35 Oxide
29.00 33.00 4.00 0.32 Oxide
45.00 50.00 5.00 0.26 Sulphide
60.00 81.20 21.20 0.36 Sulphide
104.80 108.80 4.00 0.70 Sulphide
including 105.80 107.80 2.00 1.10 Sulphide
146.00 150.00 4.00 0.44 Sulphide
88 DDH 88-01 136.00 145 -60 NSR
96 DDH 96-01 150.60 145 -60 34.20 52.20 18.00 1.10 Sulphide
including 38.20 48.20 10.00 1.30 Sulphide
55.20 90.40 35.20 0.75 Sulphide
including 65.40 73.40 8.00 2.01 Sulphide
including 65.40 66.40 1.00 9.01 Sulphide
93.40 121.00 27.60 0.37 Sulphide
127.00 138.00 11.00 0.31 Sulphide
144.00 147.00 3.00 0.39 Sulphide
DDH 96-02 200.00 145 -60 11.50 12.50 1.00 3.71 Oxide
42.60 45.60 3.00 0.48 Sulphide
141.20 146.20 5.00 0.33 Sulphide
149.20 162.00 12.80 0.56 Sulphide
including 150.20 156.00 5.80 0.93 Sulphide
including 150.20 152.20 2.00 1.72 Sulphide
165.00 168.00 3.00 0.56 Sulphide
DDH 96-03 109.80 145 -60 37.2 44.20 7.00 4.15 Transition
including 40.20 42.20 2.00 14.08 Transition
including 40.20 41.20 1.00 26.80 Transition
61.60 67.60 6.00 0.59 Sulphide
104 DDH 104-01 201.00 145 -60 25.00 28.00 3.00 0.77 Oxide
including 26.00 27.00 1.00 1.28 Oxide
43.90 54.90 11.00 0.25 Sulphide
101.90 106.90 5.00 0.33 Sulphide
DDH 104-02 112.00 145 -60 39.50 43.50 4.00 0.44 Transition
54.50 58.50 4.00 0.63 Sulphide
56.50 58.50 2.00 1.07 Sulphide
98.70 106.70 8.00 0.28 Sulphide
DDH 104-03 110.00 145 -60 1.20 5.00 3.80 0.70 Oxide
including 2.00 3.00 1.00 1.29 Oxide
42.30 65.00 22.70 0.28 Sulphide
including 64.00 65.00 1.00 1.05 Sulphide
112 DDH 112-01 120.00 145 -60 46.50 54.50 8.00 0.20 Sulphide
65.00 72.60 7.60 0.23 Sulphide
DDH 112-02 100.50 145 -60 NSR
DDH 112-03 100.00 145 -60 5.00 9.00 4.00 0.43 Oxide
128 DDH 128-01 120.00 145 -60 29.80 34.80 5.00 0.52 Oxide
including 31.80 33.80 2.00 0.93 Oxide
41.80 45.30 3.50 0.63 Oxide
including 43.80 45.30 1.50 1.09 Oxide
69.40 87.40 18.00 0.47 Sulphide
including 71.80 79.80 8.00 0.81 Sulphide
94.40 107.00 12.60 0.35 Sulphide
DDH 128-02 190.00 145 -60 113.30 127.30 14.00 0.33 Sulphide
178.30 183.30 5.00 0.77 Sulphide
178.30 180.30 2.00 1.63 Sulphide
152 DDH 152-01 100.00 145 -60 29.80 32.80 3.00 1.29 Sulphide
including 31.80 32.80 1.00 3.30 Sulphide
41.90 47.00 5.10 0.73 Sulphide
52.50 55.20 2.70 0.92 Sulphide
The intervals set out in the above table are not true widths and the assay results are uncut.

Figure 1 - Uzboy Project - Location Map

Figure 1 - Uzboy Project - Location Map

Figure 2 - Shirotnaia 2011 Drilling Results (with intercepts of greater than or equal to 1.0 g/t Au) and Core Hole Positions

Figure 2 - Shirotnaia 2011 Drilling Results (with intercepts of greater than or equal to 1.0 g/t Au) and Core Hole Positions

Figure 3 - Uzboy Project North-South Mineralization Trend

Figure 3 - Uzboy Project North-South Mineralization Trend

QUALITY ASSSURANCE QUALITY CONTROL

The Kyrgyzstan Stewart Assay and Environmental Laboratories, as a part of the worldwide ALS Group, have stringent quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures. Alhambra also follows a rigorous QA/QC program consisting of inserting standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream submitted to the laboratory for analysis to ensure that the sampling and analysis of all samples is conducted in accordance with the best possible practices.

Elmer B. Stewart, MSc. P. Geol., a technical consultant, is the Corporation's nominated Qualified Person. Mr. Stewart has reviewed but not confirmed the technical information contained in this news release.

About Alhambra

Alhambra is a Canadian based international exploration and gold production corporation celebrating its eighth year of operations in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Alhambra holds exploration and exploitation rights to a 2.4 million acre (9,800 km2), 100% owned license called the Uzboy Project, located in the Northern Kazakhstan Metallogenic Province which hosts numerous world-class gold deposits. Over 100 mineral targets, including three advanced exploration plays, are contained within the Uzboy Project.

Alhambra common shares trade in Canada on The TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ALH, in the United States on the Over-The-Counter Pink Sheets Market under the symbol AHBRF and in Germany on the Frankfurt Open Market under the symbol A4Y. The Corporation's website can be accessed at www.alhambraresources.com.


For further information please contact:
John J. Komarnicki
Chairman & CEO
+1 (403) 228-2855		 Ihor P. Wasylkiw
VP and Chief Information Officer
+1 (403) 508-4953
Forward-Looking Statements


Alhambra Resources Ltd.
Head Office Suite 3, 4015 - 1St Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 4X7
Phone: (403) 228-2855 Fax: (403) 228-2865 E-mail: info@alhambraresources.com