Vancouver, B.C. - January 18,2011 - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSX Venture: PEX) (the "Company") reported that it has appointed Janice Fingler P.Geo as the Company's Vice President Exploration, and that the Company will be represented at the Cambridge Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on January 23rd and 24th.

The Company's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Janice Fingler, MSc, P.Geo to the position of Vice President Exploration. Ms. Fingler has over 25 years experience in the exploration business, working on a wide range of projects across Canada, and from the Arctic to South America. She has been involved in programs from generative to preliminary feasibility stages, and has contributed to the advancement of several world class deposits. Her diverse experience and practical approach brings a proven track record to the Company's present and future exploration and development objectives. 

As a consultant she worked during the past year on the Company's Mariposa Gold Project in the Yukon's White Gold District. John Brock, President and CEO of the Company said, "We are pleased that Jan has joined the Pacific Ridge team and has assumed the duty of moving all of the Company's exploration projects forward to discovery status."

On January 23rd and 24th, the Company will be represented at the Cambridge Conference , booth number 14ll. Management will be in attendance and pleased to update shareholders and all interested parties on exploration plans and objectives for the ensuing year. Of particular interest will be the drill-ready Mariposa Gold Project in the Yukon's White Gold District and the Fyre Lake Kona copper-gold deposit in southeast Yukon.


On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"John S. Brock"

John S. Brock
President
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.


For further information, contact:

Investor Relations Inquiries
G2 Consultants
Tel: (604) 742-9990
Toll Free 1 866 742-9990
info@g2consultants.com

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.