Vancouver, B.C. June 1, 2011 - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSX Venture: PEX) by way of recent claim staking plus option of an adjacent property, has expanded its Mariposa Property holdings by 44%, to over 1400 claims that now cover 262 contiguous square kilometers within the Yukon's White Gold District.

The recently completed staking of 387 mineral claims has extended the northwestern and southeastern boundaries of the Mariposa property. These claims were staked to cover airborne magnetic features which have been interpreted to represent geologic structures with potential to host gold mineralization. The northwestern claim block lies to the north of the plateau of the Skookum Jim gold-in-soil anomaly, while the southeastern block covers an area drained by creeks with anomalous gold-in-silt results of 12 and 34 ppb gold, obtained from government geochemical surveys.

In the northwestern area of the property, Pacific Ridge also has an option to acquire an additional 39 claims by way of a letter of understanding with a private vendor. To exercise the option and earn a 100% interest in the property, Pacific Ridge will issue 200,000 common shares and pay $85,000 in staged payments over the ensuing three-year period. The property will be subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty (NSR) that allows Pacific Ridge the exclusive right to buy 50% of the NSR (1%) for $1,000,000 upon receiving a production notice in respect of the property. The letter of understanding is subject to acceptance for filing on behalf of Pacific Ridge by the TSX Venture Exchange.

On June 5th and 6th, Pacific Ridge Exploration will be represented at the Cambridge House Vancouver World Resource Investment Conference, booth number 1012. Management will be in attendance and pleased to update shareholders and all interested parties. In addition, John Brock, President and CEO will provide a corporate presentation on Sunday, June 5th at 12:00 pm in Workshop Room 1.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"John S. Brock"
John S. Brock
President and CEO
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

For further information, contact:

Corporate Information
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.
John S. Brock
President and CEO
Tel: (604) 687-4951
www.pacificridgeexploration.com

Investor Inquiries
G2 Consultants Corp.
NA Toll-Free: (866) 742-9990
Tel: (604) 742-9990
info@g2consultants.com

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.



Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling and other activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the placements and future exploration plans and expenditures. Although Pacific Ridge 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 forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, the timing and receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the transactions described herein, the ability of Pacific Ridge and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Janice Fingler, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. is the Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101, for the property and has reviewed the technical information in this release.



For further information, contact:

Corporate Information
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.
John S. Brock
President
Tel: (604) 604.641.2759
www.pacificridgeexploration.com

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

Forward-Looking Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although Pacific Ridge 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 the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.