Pacific Ridge Grants Incentive Stock Options

May 12, 2011

Vancouver, B.C. - May 12, 2011 - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSX Venture: PEX) ("the Company") reported that it has granted incentive stock options under its 10% rolling stock option plan to officers and consultants of the Company to purchase a total of 45,000 common shares at $0.30 per share exercisable until May 12, 2016. The options vest as to 50% on the date of grant and 50% in one year, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan. The options are subject to acceptance for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange.

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.

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