Messina Drilling Update at Brook Zone, Victoria Property

 Messina Drilling Update at Brook Zone, Victoria Property

Vancouver, BC, January 9, 2012 - Messina Minerals Inc. (TSX-V:MMI) has completed an initial 9 holes drill testing copper-enriched massive sulphide mineralization at the Brook prospect within the Victoria Property, central Newfoundland. The Victoria Property is located approximately 20 kilometers from the Duck Pond zinc-copper mine owned by Teck Corporation. The Victoria properties were acquired earlier this year (see News Release April 14, 2011) and the drill program began in December (see News Release December 16, 2011).

A total of nine drill holes were completed just prior to Christmas 2011. The short holes were drilled to depths ranging from 30 meters to 60 meters with 430 meters in total of core recovered. Drill holes were spaced 25 meters apart and tested a 75 meter strike length to a depth of 50 meters vertical. A total of 151 core samples have been submitted for assay. The objective of the program was to test the near-surface continuity of copper-enriched massive sulphide mineralization in the time left before the Christmas holiday. Results of this drill program will be reported when core assay results are received.

In addition, as reported in December (see News Release December 16, 2011), an outcrop of copper-enriched massive sulphide was located west of the Brook shaft while preparing for the drill program. One representative grab sample collected from outcropping massive sulphides located on the 0+00 baseline at 0+31W assayed 9.4% copper, 0.2 g/t gold, and 25 g/t silver. This result is consistent with previously reported assays of three outcrop grab samples assaying 1.7% to 5.4% copper at 0+00/0+00W and ten grab samples of dump rock excavated from the Brook shaft at 0+00/0+20W assaying 3.3% and 12.4% copper.

An outcrop of copper-enriched massive sulphide was discovered at the Brook prospect circa 1900. In 1910, a small 15 meter deep shaft was sunk on the occurrence. From 1910 to 1944 a total of six shallow drill holes tested the vicinity; surviving records indicate the work intersected copper mineralization. No further drilling or exploration has tested this zone and the prospect has largely been forgotten until now.

Geotechnical Information

Rock samples in this news release were submitted to Eastern Analytical of Springdale, Newfoundland for analysis. Eastern analyzed for copper, zinc, lead, and silver using a 50 gram sub-sample by aqua regia digestion, while gold was analyzed by fire assay with an atomic absorption finish using a 30 gram sub-sample. Messina uses sampling and QA/QC procedures standard to the industry including maintenance of chain of custody, the retention of pulps and coarse rejects, and laboratories using standards, blanks, and duplicates.

About Messina

Messina Minerals Inc. is a leading explorer for zinc-lead-copper-silver-gold massive sulphide deposits in Newfoundland, Canada on our extensive 450 square kilometer mineral lands, in a region known historically for its copper and zinc resources and where the Company has made massive sulphide discoveries including "Boomerang" and "Domino". See our website for more information.

Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Messina Minerals Inc. and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Tallman is not independent of the company as he is an officer, director, and shareholder.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

MESSINA MINERALS INC.

"Peter Tallman"

President

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information
Please contact:
Peter Tallman, President
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.messinaminerals.com