2012-02-13 15:07:18 -

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/13/12 -- Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (TSX:PTQ)(OTCBB:PTQMF)(FRANKFURT:P7Z) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Petaquilla Gold, S.A. ("Petaquilla"), has received public recognition from the Panamanian Association of Exporters ("APEX"), for being the largest exporter of Panama in 2011.



At an event held in Panama City, the President of APEX provided Petaquilla with an engraved plaque of honour and congratulated Petaquilla for its contribution to the development and progress of the country.


Rodrigo Esquivel, the Company's President, noted that, "We have developed the first modern gold mining project in Panama with the most advanced technology, while maintaining high safety standards, respect for the environment, and generating development, wealth and prosperity in an area of Panama that historically has been characterized as a poor region."


Mr. Esquivel also thanked APEX for this second consecutive year recognition, stressing that, "Petaquilla is a company that has developed a responsible and clean mining project that produces and exports Panamanian gold."


Photographs of the APEX award presentation can be viewed on the Company's website at www.petaquilla.com/gallery.aspx. : www.petaquilla.com/gallery.aspx.

About Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. Petaquilla is a growing, diversified gold producer committed to maximizing shareholder value through a strategy of efficient production, targeted exploration and select acquisitions. The Company operates a surface gold processing plant at its Molejon Gold Project, located in the south central area of its 100% owned 842 square kilometre concession lands in Panama - a region known historically for gold content. In addition, the Company has acquired 100% of the Lomero-Poyatos project located in the northeast part of the Spanish/Portuguese (Iberian) Pyrite Belt and several other exploration licenses in Iberia.


On behalf of the Board of Directors of PETAQUILLA MINERALS LTD.


Rodrigo Esquivel, President


NO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.


Contacts:

Petaquilla Minerals Ltd.

Rodrigo Esquivel

President

(604) 694-0021 or Toll Free: 1-877-694-0021

(604) 694-0063 (FAX)

www.petaquilla.com