GOLDEN, CO, February 26, 2010 - Atna Resources Ltd. ("Atna") - (TSX: ATN - OTCBB: ATNAF) is pleased to report that it has reached commercial production levels at its Briggs Mine in Inyo County, California. The Briggs Mine has now averaged over 80 ounces per day of gold production for a period of greater than 30 days. In addition, gold ounces mined and placed on the leach pad in 2010 are exceeding budgeted expectations. Production is expected to further increase as mine productivity continues to improve and as projected mined ore grades increase through the year. The mine is currently on track to produce positive operating cash flow and to achieve its 2010 production target of 36,000 to 40,000 ounces of gold.
       "We are pleased with the current gold production levels and operations at Briggs. The mine is on track to achieve budgeted gold production rates, and at these production levels Briggs will produce a positive operating cash flow at current gold prices," states James Hesketh, President & CEO.
       Unit cash cost for gold production in 2010 is estimated to be $600 to $625 per ounce. Life of mine gold production, including 2010, based on the current mineral reserve, is expected to have a cash cost of production in the range of $500 to $525 per ounce. Projected cash costs have increased from prior expectations due to an increase in fuel cost, the primary consumable at Briggs, and an increase in life-of-mine strip ratio. The slope angle on the eastern sector of the Briggs Main Pit was reduced to create a greater safety factor resulting in an increased strip ratio for that pit. Productivity improvement and cost containment will be a primary focus of operations in 2010.
       Restart activities at Briggs commenced in fourth quarter 2008 and the first gold pour was completed in May 2009. Overall spending was generally on target with original budget. In-process gold inventory at year-end 2009 was approximately 8,300 ounces with an inventory value of $6.9 million. Production details for Briggs in 2009 are available on the Company's website, www.atna.com.
       The unit cash cost of gold production was higher than anticipated for 2009, primarily due to normal mine start up conditions:

• Small working areas;
• Limited availability of trained operators and mining professionals;
• Mining equipment availability;
• Leach pad dynamics.

       Approximately $15.7 million in capital has been spent on the Briggs project through December 31, 2009. Capital spending for 2010 at Briggs is projected to be about $5.1 million. This amount includes approximately $2.0 million in capital lease payments for major mining equipment and $1.9 million in spending towards completion of a $3.2 million leach pad expansion. The pad expansion will add an additional seven million tons of leach pad capacity, which will be sufficient for all ores included in the current minable reserves.
       For additional information on Atna Resources Ltd. contact James Hesketh, President at (303) 278-8464 or Valerie Kimball, Investor Relations, toll-free (877) 692-8182 or visit the website at www.atna.com.