MacDonald Mines Provides Exploration Update on Semple-Hulbert and Butler Project in Ring of Fire; Prepares for Winter Drill Program

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2011) - MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:BMK) ("MacDonald" or the "Company") provides an exploration update following the 2011 drill program in the Ring of Fire region of the James Bay Lowlands.

The first ever exploration drill program on the Semple-Hulbert property near Kasabonika, Ontario consisted of nine diamond drill holes, totaling 2,553.9 metres. All holes drilled during the program targeted either massive sulfide or nickel-copper-platinum group elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) mineralization in, or on the periphery of, a large mafic intrusive. Disseminated pentlandite, an iron nickel sulphide, with elevated Ni, Cu and PGE mineralization was observed in areas where there was sulphide enrichment in the core.

Upon receiving final assays, the Company completed a lengthy and detailed geochemical analysis of research-quality whole rock and trace element data, and total digestion assay data. MacDonald's technical advisor and geologist, Larry Hulbert, Ph.D, D.Sc., P. Geo. stated, "These results reveal lithological similarities to that of the structural analogue found at Voisey's Bay".

Chemical classification of the rocks has determined that most of the mafic rocks encountered are of a troctolitic, anorthositic troctolite and olivine gabbro lithological character – reinforcing the Voisey's Bay analogy. Some of the analyzed samples have favorable geochemical signatures suggesting magmatic processes conducive to Ni-Cu-PGE generation were operative in the magma that gave rise to these rocks.

This was the first drill program of a near totally unexposed intrusion. Dr. Larry Hulbert further commented, "If the corresponding shape and disclosed lithological character from this first drill program are any indication, then subsequent drill programs in other areas of the intrusion will probably disclose other Voisey's Bay rocks types not encountered in this program and potentially corresponding Ni-Cu-sulphide mineralization".

Highlights

• Zones of platinum, palladium and gold (Pt, Pd and Au) enrichment were identified within the mafic intrusive body.

• Diamond drill hole SH11-04 assayed 0.607g/T Pd and 0.325g/T Pt, from 212-215m depth;
  • 0.153g/T Pd and 0.041g/T Pt, from 230-233m depth;
  • 0.272g/T Pd and 0.142g/T Pt, from 254-257m depth;
  • 0.817g/T Pd, 0.231g/T Pt and 0.33 g/T Au, from 262-263m.

• Diamond drill hole SH11-08 assayed 0.703 g/T Pd, 0.276 g/T Pt and 0.344 g/T Au from 215.65-216m

• Elevated nickel and cobalt (most notably SH11-04 which assayed up to 1610 parts per million (ppm) Ni and 1040ppm Co, and SH11-05 which assayed up to 1160ppm Ni) was found associated with disseminations of pyrrhotite and inter-grown pentlandite

• An off-hole conductor beneath SH11-04 and SH11-05 has been interpreted. The assay results warrant another hole deeper and to the west to intercept the interpreted conductor

• Elevated copper assays (most notably SH11-02 and SH11-06 which assayed up to 1.04% Cu and 0.88% Cu respectively)

A table showing full assay results are available on the MacDonald Mines website at www.macdonaldmines.com.

PGE Mineralization

Company geologists are encouraged by the assay results from diamond drill holes SH11-04 and SH11-08, as they returned assay results with highly anomalous platinum and palladium.

Specifically, SH11-04 assayed 0.607g/T Pd and 0.325g/T Pt, from 212-215m depth; 0.153g/T Pd and 0.041g/T Pt, from 230-233m depth; 0.272g/T Pd and 0.142g/T Pt, from 254-257m depth; 0.817g/T Pd, 0.231g/T Pt and 0.33 g/T Au, from 262-263m, while diamond drill hole SH11-08 assayed 0.703 g/T Pd, 0.276 g/T Pt and 0.344 g/T Au from 215.65-216m. Drill holes SH11-04 and SH11-08 were drilled roughly 700 metres apart, on what is interpreted to be the same geologic unit. As such, these drill holes are interpreted to have intersected a PGE mineralized horizon of at least 700 metres in strike length.

Nickel and Cobalt

Elevated nickel and cobalt (most notably SH11-04 which assayed up to 1610ppm Ni and 1040ppm Co, and SH11-05 which assayed up to 1160ppm Ni) was found associated with disseminations of pyrrhotite and inter-grown pentlandite. The presence of the sulphide mineral pentlandite confirms that conditions present during the emplacement of the intrusion were suitable for formation of immiscible sulphides from a silicate melt. The relatively high cobalt values in the pentlandite are interpreted by Company geologists to indicate that the mineralization intersected was more 'evolved', and that more 'primitive', nickel-rich material, should be found stratigraphically deeper in the intrusive.

Copper

Elevated copper assays (most notably SH11-02 and SH11-06 which assayed up to 1.04% Cu and 0.88% Cu respectively), were found in diamond drill holes emplaced outside of the main intrusion in rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition.

Hole ID	From	To	Cu ppm
SH11-02	167.00	167.50	5790
SH11-02	167.50	168.00	220
SH11-02	168.00	169.50	151
SH11-02	169.50	170.00	680
SH11-02	170.00	170.50	10400
SH11-02	170.50	171.00	3200
SH11-02	171.00	174.00	294
SH11-02	174.00	174.50	559
SH11-02	174.50	175.00	2030
SH11-02	175.00	175.50	390
SH11-02	175.50	176.00	2400
SH11-06	253.7	254.81	3200
SH11-06	254.81	255.12	8780
SH11-06	255.12	256.2	366
SH11-06	256.2	257.5	6970
SH11-06	257.5	258.3	1280

Butler Exploration Update

As with the Semple-Hulbert data, a similar detailed analysis of the geochemical signature of the Butler property has been completed by the Company's VMS technical advisor and geologist, Dr. James M. Franklin, PhD, FRSC, P.Geo. Additionally, an inversion of the magnetic data (surface, airborne and borehole) was competed on the Butler 3 area. This, combined with the Crone Pulse EM data, has resulted in a large geophysical target that is below the current drill holes. It is geophysically connected with the stringer mineralization intersected to date.

Dr. James Franklin states, "the Butler volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) system is comprised of at least four centers of mineralization, each with the overall characteristics of a copper-zinc-type deposit. Zone 3, which has had the most intensive exploration, is a classically zoned Noranda-type system that has increasing metal contents to depth, possibly indicating that the main part of this occurrence is below the current drill intersections. In addition, the metal contents and alteration characteristics of Butler 4, located about 6 km to the south of Butler 3, are indicative of this being another major centre of VMS potential. Combined, the four occurrences in the camp are situated at a single stratigraphic horizon, are relatively evenly spaced; the area has the potential to be a new VMS camp, similar to that at Matagami lake, for example."

To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/mc1114_f1.jpg

Winter Drill Program Planned for New Year

With the results from the detailed analyses of the assay data from the Semple-Hulbert property revealing considerable new insights into the evolution of the host intrusions and its potential for economic Ni-Cu-PGEs, a drill program is planned for both Semple-Hulbert and Butler after freeze-up.

The Company has already begun the process of relocating its exploration camp in order to be more proximal to the drill targets planned in the upcoming program. This will provide significant cost savings, as the Company will now be able to access the drill site by snow machines, greatly reducing helicopter time and increasing drill operation time, particularly at night.

Exploration Summary

Drill Hole #	UTM Easting		UTM Northing	Az	Dip	Length (m)
SH11-01	456208		5931639	150	-50	105.77
SH11-02	455953		5930636	40	-50	179.50
SH11-03	453263		5931766	0	-55	257.56
SH11-04	450949		5933041	170	-50	300.65
SH11-05	450949		5933041	163	-65	337.11
SH11-02EXT	455953		5930636	40	-50	48.80
SH11-06	455953		5930636	5	-67	307.70
SH11-07	450356		5933689	163	-45	230.12
SH11-08	450247		5933140	180	-45	409.96
SH11-09	451485		5932672	205	-60	376.73
TOTAL (m)	2553.90

To view Figure 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/mc1114_f2.jpg

About MacDonald Mines Technical Advisors

Larry Hulbert, Ph.D, D.Sc., P. Geo. was retained by the Company in January 2011 to review the magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE potential of the Company's properties and further the geologic understanding of the mafic and ultramafic geology, particularly regarding the potential of the properties to host Ni-Cu-PGE deposits.

Dr. Hulbert has over 38 years of extensive geological knowledge and expertise on Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization, with 23 years as Senior Research Scientist specializing in the Metallogeny of Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks and associated Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC).

James Franklin, PhD, FRSC, P.Geo. was also retained by the Company in January 2011 to review the volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) potential of the Company's properties.

Dr. Franklin has over 40 years of extensive geological knowledge and expertise of mineral deposits and regional metallogney. He serves as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, was past President of both the Geological Association of Canada and the Society of Economic Geologists, has served as Chief Geoscientist of Earth Sciences Sector for the GSC, and is an Adjunct Professor at Queen's University.

Qualified Person

Quentin Yarie, P.Geo., is the qualified person in regard to the technical data contained within this news release and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Company's exploration programs.

About MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.

MacDonald Mines is a mineral exploration company with an established exploration history in the Canadian Northlands. MacDonald Mines has set upon a strategic direction of exploration with particular focus on nickel, chrome, copper, zinc, vanadium and titanium in the "Ring of Fire" area of the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario. More detailed information about the Company is available on the website at www.macdonaldmines.com.

Cautionary Statement:

The foregoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of MacDonald Mines Exploration Inc. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from MacDonald Mines plans and expectations. These plans, expectations, risks and uncertainties are detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by MacDonald Mines with the TSX Venture Exchange and securities regulators. MacDonald Mines does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.