Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V:AVU) (US OTC:AVPMF) (FRANKFURT:8AM) is pleased to report final results from the recently-completed first pass, exploration drill project at the Alvito iron oxide copper-gold Project in south Portugal.  The program totaled 2,437.5 meters of diamond drilling from 18 holes in eight separate target areas around the Alvito license.  All Project work has been funded by OZ Minerals, who are spending A$ 1 million on exploration to earn-in to 51% of the 300-square kilometer Project.  Avrupa is the operator of the program.

Anomalous copper results from all sampling are reported in the table below.  The Company sampled several holes in their entirety, but most sampling covered only areas of continuous, visible mineralization and alteration in the drill holes.  Several holes were not sampled in this phase of the program. 

The best overall consistent results came from the Entre Matinhas target area where copper values in six of eight holes came in at 0.1% and greater over intervals of 1.5 meters to 86 meters.  Highest grade intervals included:

• 86.3 meters @ 0.16% copper, including 9.8 meters @ 0.41% copper, in EMS001
• 21.4 meters @ 0.1% copper in EMS002
• 2.55 meters @ 0.91% copper in EMS003
• 44.65 meters @ 0.21% copper, including 7.1 meters @ 1.0% in EMS005
• 5.25 meters @ 0.31% copper in EMS006
• 4.45 meters @ 0.46% copper in EMS008

Anomalous intervals in other target areas include:

• 4.7 meters @ 0.13% copper in EAM001
• 7.8 meters @ 0.11% copper in EAM002
• 10 meters @ 0.11% copper in OUT001

Mineralization style and alteration patterns at Entre Matinhas fit into the general characteristics and parameters for IOCG deposits. This first-pass drilling program covered only a limited area at shallow depths over 300 square kilometers, yet results clearly demonstrate real, close-to-surface potential for IOCG mineralization in a well-defined, easily prospectable target area.  Further IOCG-style mineralization and alteration are present in the Manisela target area, located north of Entre Matinhas, and at Entre as Matas, located northeast of Entre Matinhas (see following location map).  First-pass geological mapping and ground geophysics suggest that the area to the west of Entre Matinhas and Manisela may also host IOCG possibilities in the Vale da Rata, Nogueira, Vale Nogueira, and 1440 target areas.  The total area of the resulting, preferred IOCG target interest is approximately 20 square kilometers.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34421512-71cc-4d4e-badb-7e2aa9e3c99f

Figure 1.  Map of the Alcaçovas IOCG District.  Total area of interest is approximately 20 square kilometers.  Most drilling completed in the first-pass project was in the Entre Matinhas target area (red location symbols). 

Table 1.  Significant copper results from the Alvito drilling program.

Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, stated, “We are excited that the initial work shows significant IOCG mineralization potential in a select and specific target area on the Alvito Project.  Our work around the property indicates that there are more target areas of interest, however we have made an excellent start by defining the general Entre Matinhas target as the first priority for further exploration.”

Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on discovery, using a prospect generator model, of valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany.

The Company currently holds eight exploration licenses in three European countries, including five in Portugal covering 2,911 km², two in Kosovo covering 47 km², and one in Germany covering 307 km².  Avrupa now has six active option and joint ventures, five in Portugal and one in Kosovo, including:

• The Alvalade, Marateca and Mertola properties with an international mining company on the Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Portugal.

• The Alvito Option Agreement with OZ Minerals Limited covering one license in the Ossa Morena Zone in southern Portugal, for IOCG deposits;

• The Covas JV, with Blackheath Resources, covering one license in northern Portugal, for intrusion-related W deposits; and

• Avrupa’s partner at the Slivovo Gold Project in Kosovo is fully funding the program, allowing Avrupa to dilute its ownership in the JV operating company Peshter Mining JSC.  If AVU ownership goes below 10%, the interest in the project converts to a 2% NSR.