Atacama Minerals Corp. announced that it has been granted the necessary governmental permits to commence drilling on its Salvador Potash Project located near the city of Salvador, Bahia, on the northeastern coast of Brazil. A rig is currently being mobilized to site for the immediate commencement of the drilling program. The company holds exploration permits which have been recently expanded to cover an area of 2,500 square kilometers over the southern on-shore portion of the Reconcavo Sedimentary Basin. Historical drilling records indicate the occurrence of potash beds of various meters in thickness at depths of approximately 1,000 meters, directly overlying the halite salt bed located in the evaporitic section of the lower Alianca Formation of upper Jurassic age. The first phase drilling is designed to define the depth, thickness and grade of the potash beds within the central portion of the project area, approximately two kilometers from a historic drill hole, MQ-3, which intercepted 9 meters of sylvinite at a depth of 1,100 meters in 1972.

Atacama Minerals Corp. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported earnings before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization of USD 1,442,000 compared to loss before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization of USD 945,000 for the same period previous year. For the period, the company reported earnings before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization of USD 2,796,000 compared to loss before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization of USD 323,000 for the same period previous year.

Atacama Minerals Corp. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported income from mining operations of CAD 1,178,000 against loss from mining operations of CAD 77,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was CAD 2,297,000 against loss before income taxes of CAD 1,845,000 a year ago. Net income and comprehensive income was CAD 2,233,000 or CAD 0.01 per basic and diluted share on sales revenues of CAD 7,571,000 against net loss and comprehensive loss of CAD 1,707,000 or CAD 0.01 per basic and diluted share on sales revenues of CAD 5,512,000 a year ago. Cash flows from operating activities were CAD 3,590,000 against CAD 699,000 a year ago. Mineral property and related expenditures were CAD 379,000 against CAD 14,000 a year ago. Purchases of plant and equipment were amounted to CAD 1,963,000 against CAD 5,583,000 a year ago. For the six months, the company reported income from mining operations of CAD 2,449,000 against CAD 205,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was CAD 1,812,000 against loss before income taxes of CAD 2,763,000 a year ago. Net income and comprehensive income was CAD 1,672,000 or CAD 0.01 per basic and diluted share on sales revenues of CAD 13,157,000 against net loss and comprehensive loss of CAD 2,555,000 or CAD 0.02 per basic and diluted share on sales revenues of CAD 10,584,000 a year ago. Cash flows from operating activities were CAD 1,931,000 against CAD 839,000 a year ago. Mineral property and related expenditures were CAD 379,000 against CAD 21,000 a year ago. Purchases of plant and equipment were amounted to CAD 3,287,000 against CAD 13,322,000 a year ago.