Messina Minerals Inc. Acquires New York Harbour Properties, Newfoundland

   Messina Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: MMI) has acquired 321 new claims totalling 8,025 hectares by staking in the York Harbour area located 15 km from the port city of Corner Brook, western Newfoundland. The new claims add to Messina's original York Harbour property; the land package now totals 347 claims or 8,675 hectares. The York Harbour area is prospective for ophiolite-hosted "Cyprus-type" volcanogenic hosted massive sulphide ("VHMS") copper-zinc-gold-(cobalt) deposits. Messina's York Harbour property now covers 15 kilometers strike length of prospective stratigraphy.

The original York Harbour property was acquired in 2009 (see NR June 17, 2009) and encompasses the past-producing York Harbour copper-gold mine and approximately 4 kilometers of strike length. Field work in 2009 (see NR July 16, 2009) yielded selected grab samples from outcropping massive sulphides assaying 10.4% to 19.7% copper, and selected samples of mine dump material ranging from 7.0% to 34.2% zinc. A historic drill hole (YH91-5) intersected 0.6 meters grading 26.2% zinc, 3.2% lead, and 0.3% copper with 583 g/t silver and 16.9 g/t gold; the first documentation of consequential precious metal enrichment at York Harbour.

Reconnaissance of the York Harbour ophiolite was undertaken by Messina in 2009 to assess the further potential of the area to host additional zones of Cyprus-type mineralization; the survey indicated the favourable stratigraphy had regional extent. In 2010, a detailed airborne magnetics survey flown jointly by the Geological Survey of Canada and the Newfoundland Geological Survey Branch provided for the first time a detailed view of the stratigraphy within the York Harbour ophiolite and confirmed the regional potential.

The documented Cyprus-type mineralization at York Harbour, and indications from Messina's work and the new detailed magnetics survey that this favourable stratigraphy continues regionally, led to the acquisition by staking of this prospective property. Messina's York Harbour property now covers 15 kilometers strike length of stratigraphy permissive for Cyprus-type zinc-copper-gold mineralization.

Exploration work planned for 2011 is expected to include examination of historical copper showings, mapping and prospecting of the stratigraphy, and geophysical surveying over selected areas with the objective of generating drill targets. A phase of follow-up diamond drilling is anticipated contingent upon results.

Peter Tallman, President and CEO states "The York Harbour ophiolite has seen little exploration over the past 100 years and is extremely under-explored relative to other ophiolitic terranes worldwide. The documented VHMS copper-zinc-gold mineralization at the (past-producing) York Harbour mine shows the horizon is productive and highly prospective; however outside the immediate area of the former York Harbour mine there has been no documented exploration at all. There are opportunities for exploration discoveries; in an area close to a major shipping port and other infrastructure. The York Harbour property also gives the Company a geographic diversity of property interests and prospects."

About Messina

Messina Minerals Inc. is a leading explorer for zinc-lead-copper-silver-gold massive sulphide deposits in Newfoundland, Canada on its extensive 400 square kilometer mineral lands, in a region known historically for its zinc resources and where the Company has made massive sulphide discoveries including "Boomerang" and "Domino". Drilling in the vicinity of Boomerang at the "Hurricane" prospect is currently underway. See our website for more information.

Peter Tallman, P.Geo., CEO and President of Messina Minerals Inc. is the Qualified Person who has reviewed and is responsible for the technical data contained in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MESSINA MINERALS INC.

Peter Tallman, Director

Neither 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 release.

Contacts: Messina Minerals Inc. Peter Tallman President [phone] [phone] (FAX) [e-mail] www.messinaminerals.com