(LODE) Receives Unanimous Approval For Expansion Permit

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Comstock Mining Inc. (“Comstock Mining” or “the Company”) (NYSE MKT: LODE) announced today that it received unanimous approval from the Storey County Commission to expand processing capacity through an application to amend the Company’s existing Special Use Permit No. 2000-222-A-2.  The full board was present and voted to approve Comstock Mining’s application.

The Company’s amendments to its existing SUP are to expand the land area and modify uses allowed on its existing ore processing facility at 1200 American Flat Road, Gold Hill, Nevada.  Comstock Mining applied for amendments in conjunction with its plans to expand its existing 40-acre processing facility site and to accommodate anticipated growth and efficiency opportunities related to processing and post-operations reclamation.  In addition, the proposed expansion will also accommodate the development of three additional heap leach pad cells and will ultimately increase the rate of processing and other ancillary uses.

“This permit is foundational to our sustainability and growth objectives.  We appreciate the County’s highest level of environmental diligence, social responsibility and overall continued support.  Storey County is a model for balanced, responsible economic development and public-private partnerships that work,” said Corrado De Gasperis, President and CEO of Comstock Mining Inc.

Comstock Mining is in the process of obtaining the necessary Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) approval plans and required permit amendments, primarily for water control and reclamation for the aforementioned expansion.  After the plans and permits are in place, the Company will begin final construction of its heap leach and site expansion.

“We thank the Storey County Planning Commission for its unanimous recommendation for approval on June 24^th and the Storey County Commissioners’ final approval on July 2, 2013.  The expansion to the land area will allow Comstock to operate and grow more efficiently,” said Mr. De Gasperis.

About Comstock Mining Inc.
Comstock Mining Inc. is a producing, Nevada-based, gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District.  The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003.  Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and commenced production in 2012.  The Company continues acquiring additional properties in the district, expanding its footprint and creating opportunities for further exploration and mining.  The near term goal of our business plan is to deliver stockholder value by validating qualified resources (measured and indicated) and reserves (proven and probable) of at least 3,250,000 gold equivalent ounces from our first two resource areas, Lucerne and Dayton, achieve initial commercial mining and processing operations in the Lucerne Mine with annual production rates of approximately 20,000 gold equivalent ounces and significantly grow production through the commercial development and expansions of both the Lucerne and Dayton Mine plans.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Comstock.  Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products; future industry market conditions; future changes in our exploration activities, production capacity and operations; future exploration, production, operating and overhead costs; operational and management restructuring activities (including implementation of methodologies and changes in the board of directors); future employment and contributions of personnel; tax and interest rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature and timing and accounting for restructuring charges, gains or losses on debt extinguishment,  derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; productivity, business process, rationalization, investment, acquisition, consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K and the following: current global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources and reserves; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to continue to comply with government regulations; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to unexpected equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, copper, diesel fuel, and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues organically; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies and equipment raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to maintain the listing of our securities on any securities exchange or market; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

	Contact information for Comstock Mining Inc.:PO Box 1118 Virginia City, NV  89440
	questions@comstockmining.com
	http://www.comstockmining.com
Corrado De Gasperis		Kimberly Shipley
President & CEO		Manager of Investor Relations
Tel (775) 847-4755		Tel (775) 847-0545
degasperis@comstockmining.com		shipley@comstockmining.com