Wits Basin Announces Commencement of Surface Drilling at Bates-Hunter Mine.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Wits Basin Precious Minerals Inc., (OTCBB:WITM) is pleased to announce that the surface drilling program in Colorado has commenced. Vance White, CEO stated, "After receiving all of the necessary State and Local permits, we have confirmed that the surface drill program is now underway. We are extremely excited by the prospect of proving a target that lies beneath the existing shaft and workings."

Dr. Clyde Smith, the head Geologist for Wits Basin made the following statement, "Surface drilling on the Bates-Hunter Gold Project at Central City, Colorado has begun. The target for the first hole is the intersection of the Bates and the Hartford veins at a depth of 1000 feet below surface. Underground workings in the Bates-Hunter Mine extended to 745 feet and information from that level indicated that an ore shoot of economic grade should continue below that level. Information on the Hartford Vein indicates that it has been productive at intersections with the Bates and other veins in the Central City District. Wits Basin Precious Minerals Inc. has signed a contract for a minimum of 8,000 feet of drilling on this multiple hole project. Drilling results will be reported as received."

About Wits Basin Precious Minerals Inc.

We are a minerals exploration and development company holding interests in five exploration projects and currently do not claim to have any mineral reserves on any project. Our common stock trades on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol "WITM." To find out more about Wits Basin Precious Minerals Inc. (OTCBB:WITM) visit our website at www.witsbasin.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking in nature and are based on the current beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words like "may," "could," "should," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "predict," and similar expressions and their variants may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are valid only as of today, and we disclaim any obligation to update this information. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes.

The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant financial risks, which even experience and knowledge may not eliminate, regardless of the amount of careful evaluation applied to a process. While the discovery of a mineral deposit may result in substantial rewards, few properties are ultimately developed into producing mines. Moreover, we cannot make any estimates regarding probable reserves and mineral resources in connection with any of our projects and any estimates relating to possible reserves are subject to significant risks. Therefore, no assurance can be given that any size of reserves or grades of reserves will be realized. If a discovery is made, the mineral deposit discovered, assuming recoverable, may differ from the reserves and mineral resources already discovered and recovered by others in the same region of the planned areas of exploration.

The cost of exploration and exploitation can be extensive and there is no assurance that we will have the resources necessary or the financing available to pursue projects we currently hold interests in or to acquire interests in other mineral exploration projects that may become available. The risks are numerous and detailed information regarding these risks may be found in filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and reports on Form 8-K.