Lydian Receives Environmental Approval for Processing at Amulsar Using Heap Leach Technology

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 12, 2012) - Lydian International Ltd. (TSX:LYD) ("Lydian" or "the Company"), a gold-focused mineral exploration and development company, today announced that, as part of the permitting process for the development of its Amulsar project, it has received environmental impact assessment approval for the Company's planned processing of gold-silver using heap leach technology.

The approval process included detailed analyses of alternative leach pad site localities, and the preparation of an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, detailing the preferred processing flow-sheet, which included three-stage crushing, conveying and stacking, cyanidation-leaching and gold-silver recovery in a conventional carbon adsorption, desorption, and regeneration (ADR) plant. The EIA was prepared by Eco-Audit LLC and submitted to the Ministry of Nature Protection in October 2011.

The Company has also submitted a mining production plan, safety plan and EIA to applicable authorities in connection with its planned mine development and production at Amulsar. As part of the approval process the Company intends to submit additional items to the Ministry of Nature Protection for approval, including detailed engineering design for all planned construction activities at Amulsar, a certificate of change of land status and agreements for surface rights in the area of the proposed leach pad site and ADR processing facilities.

"The approval of the EIA for the processing of minerals using heap leach technology is a very important step for both the Company and its local communities." said Tim Coughlin, Lydian's President and Chief Executive Officer "Amulsar will be the first completely modern mine adopting heap leach technology in Armenia. We are committed to making this an exemplary show-case project and something that the Company, the local communities and the Country can be proud of."

About Lydian International

Lydian is a gold-focused mineral exploration and development company with expertise employing "first mover" strategies in emerging exploration environments. Currently Lydian is focused on Eastern Europe and on developing its flagship Amulsar gold project in Armenia. The current resource at Amulsar comprises of 68.2 Mt at 1.0 g/t Au (2.1 million ounces) of Indicated Category resources and 36.1 Mt at 0.9 g/t Au (1.1 million ounces) of Inferred Category resources based on a 0.40 g/t gold cutoff grade. The Amulsar group of licenses is wholly owned by Lydian's Armenian subsidiary (Geoteam CJSC). Lydian also has a pipeline of promising early-stage gold and base metal exploration projects in the Caucasus regions.

Lydian's management team has a track record of success in grassroots discovery, in acquiring and developing undervalued assets, and in building companies. Lydian has a strong social agenda and a unique understanding of the complex social and political issues that characterize emerging environments. The Company's significant shareholders include the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is a member of the World Bank Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). More information can be found on Lydian's web site at www.lydianinternational.co.uk.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may contain certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, mine development and related permitting and other factors and risks described in the Company's most recent annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors" which has been filed electronically by means of the Canadian Securities Administrators' website located at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.