Vancouver, February 17, 2010 - Scorpio Mining Corporation (TSX:SPM) is pleased to announce that Mr. John Sadek has been appointed Country Manager for Mexico, effective February 1, 2010.

Mr. Sadek holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE, Honours) in Mining from the University of Sydney, Australia and a WA First Class Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency.

Peter J. Hawley, Chairman, CEO comments, "With John's expertise in both underground and open pit mining and his ability not only as a planner but a project generator, he is the perfect fit for the Company to advance to the next level as an intermediate-sized producer. John will be overseeing all aspects of the current Nuestra Señora operations, but more importantly, will be one of the key figures within the Company to help put the Platte River Gold deposits on line for 2011. With his experience and planning abilities, I am sure we will meet the goals set by the Company within the time frame and budgets set."

John began his career as a mining engineer at WMC's Olympic Dam Operations followed by mining engineer for WMC Engineering Services based out of Perth, Australia, where he oversaw all mining engineering feasibility tasks for the Nifty copper project and became the Mine Manager of the Nifty Copper Mine. He then took the position of Senior Mine Engineer for the feasibility study of the Ernest Henry project, moving into the roles of Mining Manager and then Manager of Mining Projects as Ernest Henry commenced operation. In 1999, John accepted a secondment to Argentina to work for Minera Alumbrera Argentina as Operations Analyst/Senior Mining Engineer. In 2002, John joined Newmont International as a Planning Engineer then Short-Term Planning Superintendent at the Mineral Yanacocha SRL mine in Peru, followed by Mine Superintendent -- West Operations. From there John accepted the position of General Manager then Vice President Operations for Uruguay Mineral Exploration Inc. based in Uruguay, where he managed all aspects of operations at the San Gregorio gold project with over 400 staff, operators and contractors, before coming on board with Scorpio Mining.

Further information on the Company, the Nuestra Señora project and the Platte River Gold acquisition is available 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 drilling, 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.