LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - March 12, 2009) - Franklin Mining, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: FMNJ) (FRANKFURT: FMJ) continues to develop the Escala in a joint-venture with Corporación Minera de Bolivia (COMIBOL) and Cooperativa Minera INTI Ltda. Escala Mina I, located in the Sud Lipez Province, San Pablo Canton, Department of Potosi, Bolivia, was established during the Spanish colonial period.

Franklin anticipates having commercial operations underway at the end of March 2009. Bringing the Escala to this point has taken sixteen months and represents the mine's first viable economic production in fifteen years.

Geology of the joint-venture's 500 hectare concession consists of mineralization including silver, lead, zinc and some copper. Gold has been located in portions of the concession. Reconnaissance sampling of known veins conducted prior to the September 2007 joint-venture agreement returned the expected levels of lead and zinc along with high-to-extreme levels of silver. More recent samplings confirm previous indications of lead, zinc, and silver in very high levels and gold in greater than expected levels.

Reports prepared by Franklin's mine engineer and staff geologist -- with further confirmation by initial laboratory analysis -- identified vein structures in a newly extended tunnel as holding an estimated 9 million tons in situ mineral reserve. Final laboratory analysis and an assessment by an independent consulting geologist is in preparation.

About Franklin Mining, Inc: Franklin Mining, Inc. has mining and energy interests in the United States and Bolivia as well as energy interests in Argentina. Additional information is available at www.FranklinMining.com.

DISCLOSURES: "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, product demand, market acceptance risks, fluctuations in operating results, political risk and other risks detailed from time to time in Franklin Mining, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could cause Franklin Mining, Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Franklin Mining, Inc.

For further information, please visit our website (www.FranklinMining.com) or contact our Investor Relations firm, A. S. Austin & Company, 702-386-5379.