Vancouver, January 5, 2010 - Scorpio Mining Corporation (TSX:SPM) is pleased to announce that Mr. Ewan Mason has accepted a position on the Board of Scorpio Mining Corporation, effective January 5, 2010.

Mr. Mason is an HBSc graduate in geology from the University of Western Ontario and also holds a MBA from the University of Toronto. Ewan started his career as a contract geologist for a number of mining companies including Westmin Resources and BHP Utah Mines. Following receipt of his MBA in 1992, he began his banking career with the Bank of Nova Scotia in corporate banking with a focus in project financing.

In 1995, Ewan was recruited by Richardson Greenshields as an investment banker on its mining team. Richardson Greenfields was acquired by RBC in 1996 and Ewan worked with RBC until 2005, rising to the role of Managing Director. During his tenure at RBC, he spent two years in London, UK initiating global coverage of mining conglomerates around the world.

In 2005, Ewan was recruited by TD Securities to start up and head their mining investment banking team, which he led until May 2009.

Peter J. Hawley, Chairman, CEO reports, "The addition of Ewan to the Board is a exceptional asset in this period of the Company's growth, especially as we approach the Platte River Gold acquisition and are ramping up overall production in Mexico. We look forward to his participation in advancing the Company's mandate of organic growth development and identifying strategic opportunities in the mining sector, as well as raising Scorpio's profile in the investment community."

Further information on the Company, the Nuestra Señora project and the Platte River Gold acquisition is available on the Scorpio Mining web site at: www.scorpiomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF SCORPIO MINING CORPORATION

Peter J. Hawley
Chairman & CEO

For further information contact:

Rich Kaiser, YES International: 1-800-631-8127; 001-757-306-6090 (outside North America)
Email: [email protected]

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include metal prices, exploration success, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.