Rio Alto Mining Ltd fka RIOM

[Hockmir]

Rio Alto's Gold Production Tops 51,000 Ounces for 2011 and the Company Changes Transfer Agent

Rio Alto Mining Limited ("Rio Alto" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:RIO)(OTCQX:RIOAF)(LMA:RIO)(DBFrankfurt:MS2) is pleased to report that gold production during construction and development of its 100% owned La Arena Gold Mine amounted to 51,398 ounces during 2011. The Company is finalizing a resource estimate to prepare an updated ore reserve and mining plan after which Rio Alto will provide gold production guidance for 2012.

The Company also wishes to announce that the share registrar and transfer agent of the Company has been changed to Computershare Investor Services Inc. of 510 Burrard Street, 3rd Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9 effective December 31, 2011. In addition, on January 3, 2012, the rights agent under Shareholders' Rights Plan Agreement dated August 26, 2010 has been changed to Computershare Investor Services Inc.