Atacama Minerals Corp. Adds to Management Team

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Dec. 9, 2011) - Atacama Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:AAM) ("Atacama" or "the Company") is pleased to report that Mr. Robert Chase has joined the Board of Directors of Atacama effective immediately. Mr. Chase, formerly a director with Red Back Mining Inc. prior to its $9.2 billion takeover, has over 30 years experience as a financial executive in the mining industry and has served as a senior board member for a number of public companies.

Mr. Alessandro Bitelli, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer effective as of November 30, 2011. Mr. Bitelli was formerly CFO of Red Back Mining. Mr. Bitelli has over 25 years of experience in the resource industry and in public accounting, having worked both in North America and Europe.

In addition, Ms. Kathy Love has been appointed Corporate Secretary of the Company effective November 30, 2011. Ms. Love has over twenty years experience in the corporate industry as a paralegal at securities law firms and as Corporate Secretary of a number of publicly traded companies. She joined the Lundin Group of Companies in September 2003 and held the position of Corporate Secretary for Red Back Mining Inc. until its takeover by Kinross Gold Corporation in September of 2010.

In connection with the Management and Board restructuring, Mr. Barry Needham has resigned from the Atacama Board of Directors. The Company would like to express its appreciation and thank Mr. Needham for his years of service.


About Atacama

Atacama Minerals Corp. is a Canadian company which produces iodine from its Aguas Blancas mine in northern Chile. In addition, the Company has exploration interests in West Africa.


Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's plans for its properties, equity financings and M&A activities. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to political risks involving the Company's exploration and development of its properties, the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's periodic filings with the British Columbia Securities Commission. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not intend to update this information, except as required by law, and disclaims any legal liability to the contrary.


On behalf of the Board,

Rick Clark, CEO



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Contact Information

Atacama Minerals Corp.
Simon Jackson, President
(604) 689-7842
(604) 689-4250 (FAX)
www.atacama.com