African Queen Achieves Breakthrough in Settlement Negotiations at Noyem-Nyanfoman Project; 12 More K

African Queen Achieves Breakthrough in Settlement Negotiations at Noyem-Nyanfoman Project; 12 More Key Small Scale Licenses Relinquished

Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA, September 13, 2011 /FSC/ - African Queen Mines Ltd. (AQ - TSX Venture, QM0 - FWB), is pleased to announce that documentation has now been executed providing for the relinquishment of twelve additional licenses and/or applications covering contiguous small scale mining licenses aggregating approximately 300 acres on the Noyem A reef at its Noyem-Nyanfoman Project on Ghana's Ashanti Belt.  Together with the seven licenses covered by the prior settlements announced in the Company's Press Releases dated July 14, 2011 and July 27, 2011, the Company has now reached accords covering 19 of the 26 small scale licenses in or near the area of interest.  The effect of the settlements to date is to return control of the Noyem A reef and its historic resource area to the Company so as to enable it to proceed with potential development of a large-scale project.  

In consideration for their relinquishment of rights, a one-time cash payment is being made by the Company to each of the 12 small-scale mining groups involved in the present transactions, namely, Nana Boafo Kesse Ventures, Boafo Kesse Enterprise, A.D. Mohammed Enterprise, Evelyn Korang Enterprise, Obiri Anima Enterprise, Torgbor Laryea Enterprise, Akroman Enterprise, Abrimpong F/C Enterprise, Nabaab Mining Company, Abass Torgbor Enterprise, M. Boaheman Enterprise, and Bamab Enterprise.   In addition, the Company's Ghana operating subsidiary, AQ Ghana Gold Limited, may purchase certain mining equipment on site and will endeavor to hire to the greatest extent possible the small-scale miners who are relinquishing their mining rights.  The transaction is subject to final approval by the Ghana Mining Commission ("MinCom") under the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703.  MinCom has been involved in the discussions to date.  Negotiations are continuing with the holders of the remaining small scale licenses in or near the area of interest and the Company is optimistic that further settlements will be reached in the near future.  However, the Company believes it has now effectively regained control of the key areas needed for exploration and development of the project.  

According to Irwin Olian, CEO of the Company, "We are delighted that the settlement process at Noyem-Nyanfoman has been proceeding in a positive manner and are particularly grateful for the support of Nana Boafo Kesse and the Nyanfoman Chief.    We are moving ahead with plans to commence core drilling on our key targets here this year, as the 19 settlements to date, combined with our existing large scale license, give us access to all of the areas targeted.  Our ground exploration team is at work on the property at this time and we expect to accelerate our efforts in the coming weeks."

The Noyem-Nyanfoman Gold Project.  The License currently covers an area of approximately 28.9 sq. km. located within the Birim North District of Ghana's Eastern Region, approximately 130 km. NW of Accra.  It is at the northeastern end of Ghana's well-known, gold-producing Ashanti Belt, near Newmont's Akyem deposit which is presently under development for production with a stated resource in excess of 8 Million oz Au.  In addition to its close proximity to Accra which facilitates access, the Project is bisected in a NE-SW direction by a tarred road.  It has long been host to large numbers of artisanal miners and a dispute with the small scale miners and local community has been ongoing for many years prior to the Company's involvement with the project. The Company's Phase 1 ground exploration program is presently underway and core drilling is now planned to commence in several months.

The Akan Agreement. The Company's rights to the Project are subject to an Earn-In and Joint Venture Agreement (the "Akan Agreement"), with Marshall Islands' private company Akan Exploration Ltd. ("Akan"), under which the Company may earn up to a 75% interest in the Noyem Gold Project by funding prescribed stages from exploration through feasibility.  Akan has the right to participate at its election pro-rata after the Company has reached 60% ownership interest.  The Company is designated as manager and operator of the Project.


About African-Queen

The Company is an exploratory resource company with diversified mineral properties in Southern, East and West Africa. It is exploring its properties in Mozambique, Ghana and Kenya for gold and other metals and it is undertaking exploration in Botswana and Namibia for diamonds, gold and other metals. In Mozambique the Company has approximately 230 sq. km. under license for gold and metals under an agreement with another company. In Ghana it has 28.9 sq. km. under license for gold. In Kenya it has approximately 850 sq. km. under license for gold and metals, and a further 737 sq. km. of gold and other minerals licenses under agreements with two other companies. The Company's licenses in Botswana comprise approximately 2890 sq. km. of diamond prospects. The Company's operations in Mozambique are carried out through its subsidiary PAM Mocambique Limitada and its operations in Ghana are carried out through its subsidiary AQ Ghana Gold Limited. Its operations in Kenya are being carried out through its operating subsidiary AQ Kenya Gold Limited. Its operations in Botswana are carried out through its operating subsidiary, PAM Botswana (Pty) Ltd.; its operations in Namibia are carried out through its operating subsidiary PAM Minerals Namibia (Pty) Ltd. The Company has its executive offices in Vancouver, Canada. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada on April 30, 2008 and received the southern African net assets in a spin off transaction related to the acquisition of Pan African Mining Corp. by Asia Thai Mining Co., Ltd.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
AFRICAN QUEEN MINES LTD.

"Irwin Olian"
Irwin Olian
Chairman & CEO


For more information, contact:

Irwin Olian, President and CEO
E-mail: tigertail@africanqueenmines.com
Phone: (604) 899-0100
Fax: (604) 899-0200

Carrie Howes, Corporate Communications
Email: carrie@africanqueenmines.com
Phone: Germany - +49 (0) 21141 740411
U.K. - +44 (0) 870 490 5443
Canada - +1 416 900 3634


The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of the information contained herein.  The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.


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650 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 4N8


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Source: African Queen Mines Ltd.
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