Atlas Mining Announces Formation of Halloysite Advisory Group.

Business Editors

OSBURN, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2003

Atlas Mining Company (OTCBB:ALMI) is pleased to announce the formation of an advisory group to assist with its efforts to identify and pursue additional markets for its halloysite clay. Atlas is currently focused on the redevelopment of the Dragon Mine in Juab County, Utah, the only commercial halloysite deposit in the world outside of New Zealand.

Atlas has asked Dr. Paul Adler and Dr. Ron Price to join its advisory group. Dr. Adler has over thirty years experience in the industrial minerals business and is currently president of Phlogiston Company, an industrial minerals consulting firm in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Price is a researcher and patentholder in the field of micro tubular technology and is currently investigating the use of halloysite clay in anti-barnacle paint applications at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. Both men have worked with the Dragon halloysite clay and are familiar with its unique properties.

Atlas President William Jacobson stated, "We are excited to have Dr. Adler and Dr. Price join our advisory board. We believe that their guidance will help us to find and create market opportunities for our unique product, helping us attain our goal of becoming a significant global producer of halloysite clay."

According to existing geological reports, the Dragon Mine in Juab County, Utah contains 300,000 tons of high grade halloysite clay, and has a potential of up to 1 million tons. Current market prices for this product range between $450 to $1,000 per ton.

Please visit the Atlas website at www.atlasmining.com for more information.

Atlas Mining Company is a diversified natural resources company with its primary focus on the development of the Dragon Mine in Juab County, Utah, the only known commercial source of halloysite clay outside of New Zealand. The purity and quality of halloysite from the Dragon Mine is unmatched anywhere in the world and has spawned considerable research into new applications for this unique product. Atlas also holds mining and timber interests in northern Idaho, and operates an underground mining contracting business. Atlas stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "ALMI".

Safe Harbor Statement -- As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; and the risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings.