Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. (NEM) and Stornoway Ventures Ltd. (SWV) are pleased to announce that a targeted ground geophysical program has been completed on the Aviat Joint Venture, located on the Melville Peninsula, Nunavut. In addition to the ground geophysical program, approximately 960 kilograms of kimberlite material was recovered from the AV-1 outcrop for additional caustic fusion and diamond analysis.

Geophysical survey results indicate that the AV-1 kimberlite is significantly larger than originally reported and it is now interpreted to be a macrocrystic hypabyssal facies group 1 kimberlite pipe. Initial diamond results yielded 228 diamonds from 186 kg of kimberlite material. (NEM/SWV News release February 3, 2003)

Approximately 3.58 line kilometers of gridding, ground magnetic surveying and horizontal loop electromagnetic (HLEM) surveys have been completed in and around the AV-1 kimberlite occurrence. The exposed portion of the AV-1 discovery outcrop measures 13.5 x 76.5m and has a prominent magnetic signature that suggests the source body is larger than the outcrop. A second, equally prominent, magnetic response lies under a small shallow lake immediately west of the outcrop. These two obvious magnetic signatures define a double-lobed anomaly at least 135 meters in length and approximately 35 meters in width. The two lobes may be separated by a narrow NE-SW trending break. The significance of weaker geophysical responses adjacent to these obvious targets is not known at the present time. Actual dimensions of the AV-1 kimberlite will be determined by drilling later this year.

Further work on the property is anticipated to commence this spring and will entail an aggressive exploration program on the joint venture's extensive land holdings. The Aviat lands cover over 7 million acres of mineral rights on the Melville Peninsula region of Nunavut. Aviat represents one of Canada's largest exploration projects, second only to De Beers' Baffin Island diamond project located immediately to the northeast of Aviat.

The Aviat Project was established as a joint venture in 2002 between Northern Empire Minerals Ltd., Stornoway Ventures Ltd. and Hunter Exploration Group to explore the Melville Peninsula region of Nunavut for diamonds. Northern Empire and Stornoway each have an option to earn a 35% interest in the Aviat project for expenditures of $1,000,000 (each) and the issuance of 50,000 shares (each). Northern Empire is operator of all programs.

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