Mr. Mike Bandrowski reports

BIG RIDGE ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF $7.0 MILLION NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT SUPPORTED BY STRATEGIC SHAREHOLDERS, WITH MICHAEL GENTILE INCREASING HIS POSITION TO 19.9%

Big Ridge Gold Corp. has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of 23,333,333 units of the company at a price of 30 cents per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $7-million.

Each unit consists of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant of the company. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share of the company at a price of 46 cents per common share and expires on July 7, 2029. The company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to finance exploration of the Hope Brook gold project and for general corporate overhead.

In conjunction with the offering, Michael Gentile has acquired 18,103,333 units such that, upon closing of the offering, Mr. Gentile owns approximately 19.9 per cent of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company on a partially diluted basis assuming full exercise of his warrants.

Big Ridge chief executive officer Mike Bandrowski commented: "Michael Gentile's support comes at a pivotal time for the company as we build out the Big Ridge team in anticipation of our first drill program in three years and continue advancing environmental and engineering studies at Hope Brook. This offering puts us in an excellent financial position to complete the preliminary economic assessment, exploration and geotechnical drilling, and finalize several ongoing environmental studies."

The offering was made by way of private placement in Canada and the securities issued under the offering are subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada.

About Big Ridge Gold Corp.

Big Ridge is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The company is committed to the development of advanced-stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social licence from local communities. Big Ridge owns a 100-per-cent interest in its flagship Hope Brook gold project, located in Newfoundland and Labrador. Big Ridge also owns a 100-per-cent interest in the highly prospective Oxford gold project, located in Manitoba, and the Destiny gold project, located in Quebec.

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