Apr. 27, 2011 (Filing Services Canada) -- African Queen Mines Ltd. (AQ - TSX Venture, QM0 - FWB), is pleased to announce that work is now underway on the ground in its Phase 1 Exploration Program at the Ugunja Gold Project, which encompasses approximately 625 sq. km in the Busia, Siaya and Kakamega areas (aka the Lakeland District) located N of the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. The initial work presently being undertaken comprises principally stream and termite-mound soil sampling, together with mapping. To date, more than 1100 termite-mound soil samples have been collected as well as more than 150 stream samples from the license area. Sampling is ongoing. Mapping of the Samia Hills ironstones (containing isolated known gold occurrences) should be completed this week. All samples will be transported to Scientific Services Laboratories in Cape Town, South Africa for gold and base metals analysis. This program is designed to identify potential targets for a later drill program to be carried out.

Ugunja has been the site of significant artisanal mining and comprises low-grade metasedimentary rocks, chiefly argillites, sandstones and conglomerates. These are part of the late Archaean age Kavirondian Group. They overlie Nyanzian age greenstones which include banded iron formation (BIF) and dominantly metabasaltic lithologies. The presence of massive sulphide lenses as well as gold in quartz veins and BIF horizons is anticipated.

Under the terms of its Earn-In and JV Agreement with Kenya Discovery Limited, the Company, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary AQ Kenya Gold Limited, may earn up to an 85% interest in the Ugunja Project by funding prescribed optional stages from exploration through feasibility. The Company serves as manager and operator of the Project. The Project is being managed on behalf of the Company by Senior Consulting Geologist Mr. Pete Siegfried (M.Sc., MAusIMM), a qualified person.


About African-Queen

The Company is an exploratory resource company with diversified mineral properties in Southern and West Africa. It is exploring its properties in Mozambique, Kenya and Ghana for gold and other metals and it is undertaking exploration in Botswana and Namibia for diamonds, gold and other metals. The Company's licenses in Botswana comprise approximately 2890 sq km of diamond prospects. In Mozambique it has approximately 230 sq km of gold and other metals licenses under an agreement with another company. In Kenya it has approximately 737 sq. km. of gold and other minerals licenses under agreements with two other companies. Its operations in Botswana are carried out through its operating subsidiary, PAM Botswana (Pty) Ltd.; its operations in Namibia are carried out through its operating subsidiary PAM Minerals Namibia (Pty) Ltd.; its operations in Mozambique are carried out through its subsidiary PAM Mocambique Limitada and its operations in Ghana are carried out through its subsidiary AQ Ghana Gold Limited. Its operations in Kenya are being carried out through its operating subsidiary AQ Kenya Gold Limited. The Company has its executive offices in Vancouver, Canada.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
AFRICAN QUEEN MINES, LTD.

"Irwin Olian"
Irwin Olian
Chairman & CEO


For more information, contact:

Irwin Olian, President and CEO
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (604) 899-0100
Fax: (604) 899-0200

Carrie Howes, Corporate Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Germany - +49 (0) 21141 740411
U.K. - +44 (0) 870 490 5443
Canada - +1 416 900 3634


The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of the information contained herein. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.


Suite 1450, Box 11553
650 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 4N8


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Source: African Queen Mines Ltd.
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