TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 19, 2011) - Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MON) ("Montero") reports that on December 17, 2011, subject to regulatory approval, incentive stock options were granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants to the company. A total of 1,480,000 stock options were granted issued exercisable at a price of $0.38 per share for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. The options were approved by the Board on December 10, 2011 with their pricing delayed until the expiry of a trading black out period. All options granted are subject to normal vesting under the Company's stock option plan.

About Montero Mining & Exploration

Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration and development company engaged in the identification, acquisition, evaluation and exploration of mineral properties primarily focused on rare earth elements (REE), phosphates and uranium in Tanzania, South Africa and Quebec, Canada respectively. Montero is focused on adding value for all shareholders through the acquisition and exploration on properties, which have the highest potential for future discoveries or development of existing mineral resources into mineable reserves. We remain engaged in the development of our flagship Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element Project in Tanzania, which is a high-grade, undeveloped Light Rare Earth Element deposit. The Company's current focus is on updating the initial NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate and advancing the hydro-metallurgical testwork with Mintek. With the rising prices of REEs and China's control over export quotas, it is becoming imperative that the rest of the world develops new rare earth resources to meet the increasing demand from "green" technology and high-tech applications.

Montero's growth strategy is to develop the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project and to bring this to account through eventual rare earth production and cash flow, while operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. We will continue to add value through the development of our portfolio of properties. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON.

Signed. Dr. Tony Harwood - President and CEO