NEWS RELEASE 08- 01

Greenwood Gold Project Update

January 7, 2008 – Vancouver. Merit Mining Corp. (TSX-V: MEM) reports that development of the

Company’s Greenwood Gold Project near Greenwood, British Columbia remains on schedule. Mill

start up is planned for the first quarter of 2008 to commence processing of a 10,000 tonne

underground bulk sample from the Lexington-Grenoble mine.

At the Greenwood Gold Project mill, the major pieces of processing equipment are now being installed

including the ball mill, flotation cells, gravity plant, thickener tank and Larox filter. The final concrete

pour for the crushing plant has been completed. The last major pieces of crushing equipment will

arrive on site by the end of January. Power from the main grid was connected to the mill in mid

December by Fortis. Installation of the liner for the Tailings Facility has been completed. Development

work continues underground at the Lexington-Grenoble mine for the extraction of the 10,000 tonne

bulk sample with mining of the initial high grade gold/copper mineralization in progress. Discussions

are underway with respect to an off-take contract for the copper-gold concentrate.

The permit application for full production at 200 tonnes per day was submitted to regulatory authorities

on November 29th, 2007 with the Company’s expectation to go seamlessly into production, upon

completion of the underground bulk sample during the second quarter of 2008. Public meetings are

scheduled for January 23rd and 24th in the local communities of Greenwood and Grand Forks,

respectively. The Company has made a number of presentations to the local communities over the

last 5 years with regard to the progress of the Greenwood Gold Project. Consultation with First

Nations, initiated by Merit in April of 2007, is on-going.

Fred Sveinson, President & CEO states “Management is pleased with the progress that Merit’s

construction and development team is making at its Greenwood Gold Project. Our team has worked

closely with the local communities, First Nations and regulatory authorities, employing local residents,

contractors and vendors, wherever possible.”

Merit Mining Corp.

“Fred Sveinson”

Fred Sveinson, President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Fred Sveinson at (604) 694-2344

For Investor Relations Information Contact:

MarketSmart Communications (604) 261-4466

(Toll Free 1-877-261-4466)

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this

release.

The statements made in this News Release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may

differ from the Company’s expectations. Certain risk factors may also affect the actual results achieved by the Company.

520 - 580 Hornby Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 3B6

Tel: (604) 694-2344 Fax: (604) 642-6577

Email: info@meritminingcorp.com