Opawica Explorations Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OPW) Drilling Update From Atikwa Lake Gold-Copper Project, Rainy River Region Ontario

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 8, 2011) - Opawica Explorations Inc. ("Opawica" / the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:OPW) announces that drilling is progressing at its Atikwa Lake gold-copper property located in the Rainy River area southeast of Kenora, Ontario.

The first hole of the program (AT-11-01) has been completed to a core length of 702m most of which was within the Footwall Zone which underlies the Maybrun Main zone. Approximately 600m of contiguous core from the first hole has been sent out for assay.

The second hole of the program (AT-11-02) is ongoing and is targeting the Maybrun Main Zone and an anomaly outlined within the Footwall Zone that appears to be situated between holes AT-10-01 and AT-10-24 that were drilled approximately 150m apart, down dip, from each other in 2010. Both of these holes intersected gold and copper mineralization over 183m and 155m of approximate true widths, respectively (January 5, 2011 Opawica press release). The anomaly presently being tested may actually be trending generally perpendicular to the northwest-southeast strike of the overall Footwall Zone. Hole AT-11-02 has intersected what is believed to be the target anomaly at about 165m in depth where the hole has intersected mineralization that may explain the Induced Polarization anomaly. In addition, hole AT-11-02 intersected the Maybrun Main Zone between surface and 90m in depth. The hole will continue to drill until it has fully tested the anomaly and Footwall Zone in this area.

Holes AT-11-03 and 04 will be drilled about 450m north and 1000m north, respectively, of the Maybrun Main Zones to test two fold-nose targets. These holes are scheduled to each be 150m in depth.

OPAWICA EXPLORATIONS INC.

Opawica is a Canadian mineral exploration company that has been operating as such for over 30 years. The Company owns 100% of the Atikwa Lake project near Kenora, Ontario, and may acquire up to 100% of the Carscallen-Whitesides property in the West Timmins gold district, Ontario, (subject to closing conditions, see March 25, 2011 Opawica press release) and owns 100% of the Bro Property which is a precious and base metal prospect located in Yukon, Canada.

Opawica Explorations Inc. has now concluded the sale of 1,978,900 shares of Upper Canada Gold Corporation ("UCC") (TSX.V) pursuant to the Company's 45-102F1 filing of June 13, 2011. Opawica now owns 7,046,852 shares (19.6%) of Upper Canada Gold Corporation. UCC owns 100% of the Dingman gold-aggregate property, Ontario, consisting of an open pit Indicated resource of 11,600,000 tonnes at 0.97 g/t Au for 361,000 ozs Au. UCC also has an option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Pine Tree-Josephine Property, California (see UCC press releases dated May 9 and June 6, 2011).

QUALITY CONTROL - DISCLAIMERS

Mr. Robert Laakso, P.Eng., is the Independent Qualified Person who has prepared or supervised the preparation of the information that forms the basis for the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

The forgoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of the Company. Forward looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate regulatory authorities. We seek safe harbour.