MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC–(Marketwire – Feb. 22, 2012) – BOWMORE Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:BOW) (FRANKFURT:0B5) (“Bowmore”) is pleased to announce the start of a Phase One 2,500 meter diamond drill program on the CHIVAS property located in Sonora, Mexico.

The objective of the first phase of drilling will be to:

(1) Test the IP geophysical anomalies on the Silica Cap zone, (see news release dated November 22, 2011). These IP anomalies identified moderate to strong chargeability values over large volume of rock extending SSE-NNW over these zones and;

(2) Test the areas of the Mesa Blanca zone where high resistivity anomalies at the sub-surface were found, indicating the presence of anomalous silica content associated with disseminated sulphide. It also corresponds to previous surface sampling and identification of high silicification and a large area with presence of anomalous buddingtonite from the TerraSpec sampling program done in early 2011

(Visit: www.Bowmorexploration.comchivasipsurveychargeability.jpg and
www.Bowmorexploration.comchivasipsurveyresistivity.jpg) and;

(3) To follow up on the previously drilled Piedra Rodante gold-silver zone and to test possible extensions of the mineralization to the south and at depth, where historical values returned up to 1.26 g/t Au and 182 g/t Ag over 15 meters.(See Amex Exploration Jacques Marchand (QP) NI 43-101 report March 1, 2010.)

These significant targets have been defined by previous exploration work in 2010 and 2011 that lead to the identified of a large low sulphidation epithermal system that covers an area of approximately 5.2 km² (see news release October 26, 2010, news release July 14, 2011 and news release November 22, 2011).

The Property

The Property is composed of 2 claims covering over 24,841 hectares and is located within the Sierra Madre Occidental gold belt (“SMO”). The SMO is host to reserves of more than 40 Million ounces of gold and 2 Billion ounces of silver. The Chivas property is optioned from Amex Exploration Inc. (AMX: TSX-V) and is 15 kilometres to the west of the Dolores Mine owned by Minfinders Corporation Ltd. .The earn-in option provides Bowmore the right to acquire up to 70% interest in the property (see news release dated April 8, 2010).

Mr. Paul Dumas, President and CEO of Bowmore Exploration Ltd., stated: “we are very excited to test drill the Chivas property where we have been focusing our effort over the last two years. So far results have been very encouraging corroborating the evidence of a very large epithermal system. The initial drill program will allow us to test the first three zones being the Silica Cap, Mesa, and Mesa Blanca. The result of previous work programs clearly indicate extensions towards the Cerro Rojo zone that will need further follow up.”

Jean-Marie Pronovost, P. Geo., Chief Geologist for Bowmore, is the Qualified Person who has reviewed this news release and is responsible for the technical information reported herein.

BOWMORE is a Canadian exploration mining company focused on precious metal exploration in Canada and Mexico.

Forward-looking statements:

Except for statements of historical facts, all statements in this news release regarding, without limitation, new project acquisitions, future plans and objectives are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.