Tao Minerals Announces Phase 1 of the Upgrade of El Colmillo Gold Mine

MEDELLIN, COLUMBIA, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) --
Tao Minerals, Ltd. (OTCBB: TAOL) is pleased to announce that it is
beginning the execution of its plan to upgrade the El Colmillo Gold Mine.
On July 16, 2008, through our majority owned subsidiary Minera Tao S.A.
("MT"), we entered into an amended option agreement with Agrominas De
Colombia, LTDA ("AC") to acquire 80% of a mining interest called El
Comillo in Antioquia Colombia. The agreement amended the terms of the
original option agreement entered into by MT on October 2, 2007, and
subsequently extended on April 18, 2008.

Under the terms of the amended option agreement, the purchase price of the
option is $1.42 billion Colombian pesos or approximately US$825,000. We
paid $80,000,000 pesos (approximately US$50,000) upon closing of the
option agreement and are obligated to pay $40,000,000 pesos on the 15th
of every month until $320,000,000 pesos has been paid. Thereafter 20% of
production will be paid until $1.1 billion pesos have been received by
AC. After the acquisition price is paid AC will continue to receive 20%
of the mining production. Upon receipt of $1.42 billion pesos by AC the
option will be exercised and 80% ownership in the property will be
transferred to MT.

In anticipation of our acquisition of our interest in the El Comillo
mining property pursuant to our agreement with Agrominas De Colombia,
LTDA, we are beginning the execution of our plan to upgrade the El
Colmillo Gold Mine by implementing Phase I of the mine upgrade program.

Phase I of the program focuses on the existing mining works. The mine is
currently idle and Phase I activities are designed to accomplish its
reactivation to the extent of its existing full installed capacity.
Actions to accomplish this will include developing the tunnels to increase
the throughput volume of ore and, in concert with that, work to increase
knowledge of the mine's characterization in terms of its specific
mineralogy to determine the best approach to the set-up of the upgraded
gold recovery circuit.

Total monthly expenses for Phase I are estimated at $68,000 and will
include, in addition to other unnamed items, specific expenditures for
personnel, $16,000; fuel, $14,000; administration, $5,000; dynamite,
$4,000 and an unspecified amount for repairs and adjustments to existing
equipment. Capital costs to be incurred in Phase I are an estimated
$12,000 for a jaw crusher and an estimated $14,000 for a 4 x 4 truck to
transport fuel to the mine.

About Tao Minerals, Ltd.

Tao Minerals (OTCBB: TAOL) is a junior exploration company based in
Medellin, Colombia. Tao is successfully positioning itself as a leader in
gold exploration in Colombia through key acquisitions of properties with
exceptional potential for low extraction cost deposits. Tao's focus in
calendar 2008 is on the upgrading and initiation of operations of its El
Colmillo mine, which offers the potential to quickly provide a strong
revenue stream, able to fund exploration activities on the estimated high
grade gold deposit of its Golondrina property and finance additional
acquisitions, while greatly enhancing shareholder value.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This current report contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is
defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this
press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking
statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans,
expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited
to, making the required payments to Agrominas De Colombia, LTDA for the
completion of the acquisition of the interest in the El Comillo mine,
completion of the Phase 1 mine upgrade program, and the anticipated
expenses and capital costs associated with the reactivation plan.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking
statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others,
the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration. We are
not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development
uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of
this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the
forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results
could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions
contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance
that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be
accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein
and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most
recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and
other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

Contact Info:
Shawn Van Damme
Tao Minerals
Investor Relations
1-877-512-1120
Svd@Taomining.com
www.Taomining.com

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