International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.: Livengood Gold Deposit Expands in all Directions

400 metre step-out intersects 126.5 metres at 1.23 g/t Gold MK-RC-0078 - 134.1 metres @ 1.03 g/t Gold MK-RC-0098 - 62.49 metres @ 1.09 g/t Gold MK-RC-0099 - 53.34 metres @ 1.10 g/t Gold

Last update: 1:13 p.m. EST Dec. 10, 2008
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Dec 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ("ITH" or the "Company") - (TSX VENTURE: ITH)(NYSE-A: THM)(FRANKFURT: IW9) is pleased to announce the latest drill results from its 2008 resource expansion drilling program at its bulk tonnage Livengood gold project near Fairbanks, Alaska (see Table 1). These results, many from the edges of the 2008 Core Zone drill pattern or significant step outs, demonstrate the significant expansion potential of the deposit. Of the 13 new holes announced in this release, seven have ended in higher grade mineralization, punctuating the excellent depth potential of the deposit.
The new assays demonstrates the continuity of higher grades to the edges and beyond the currently defined Core Zone drill area: to the south (MK-RC-0099 with 53.3 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold, 35.1 metres @ 1.3 g/t gold & 12.2 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold), to the southwest (MK-RC-0098 with 62.5 metres @ 1.1 g/t gold) and to the northeast (MK-RC-0095 with 13.7 metres @ 1.0 g/t gold & 126.5 metres @ 1.2 g/t gold) (see Figures 1 and 2). Hole MK-RC-0095 represents a major 400 metre step out to the east-northeast from the Core Zone and is extremely encouraging for the intervening area, which is one of the key targets of the winter drilling program to be started in February 2009. The results continue to expand the mineralization beyond the boundaries of the current resource, all of which will be included in the updated 43-101 resource estimate scheduled for February, 2009 following the return of assays for the remaining 15 2008 drill holes (see Figure 1).
These new results, particularly MK-RC-0095, continue to support the concept of an overall northeast-southwest trend to the zone of mineralization above and beyond the Core Zone as currently defined. They also highlight a number of high priority targets for expanding the higher grade zone of the deposit. In 2009 the Company will carry out a two stage drill program, including a 5,000 metre winter program and a 6,500 metre summer program, both of which will focus on the higher grade target areas.

Table 1: New Drill Result Highlights, Livengood Project, Alaska
Significant intercepts calculated using 0.25 g/t gold cut-off
From To Length Gold
Hole ID (metre) (metre) (metres) (g/t)
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
MK-RC-0078 134.11 144.78 10.67 0.58
150.88 153.92 3.04 13.85
164.59 298.70 134.11 1.03
MK-RC-0083 176.78 227.08 50.30 0.84
includes 184.40 193.55 9.15 2.20
252.98 262.13 9.15 0.70
277.37 288.04 10.67 0.69
MK-RC-0092 245.36 257.56 12.20 0.48
MK-RC-0093 140.21 182.88 42.67 0.62
188.98 214.88 25.90 0.63
231.65 262.13 30.48 1.07
268.22 291.08 22.86 1.38
includes 281.94 291.08 9.14 2.40
295.66 304.80 9.14 0.93
309.37 315.47 6.10 1.74
MK-RC-0095 1.52 19.81 18.29 0.63
47.24 60.96 13.72 1.02
67.06 129.54 62.48 0.92
141.73 268.22 126.49 1.23
includes 167.64 178.31 10.67 4.59
MK-RC-0096 60.96 67.06 6.10 4.93
137.16 140.21 3.05 5.19
150.88 173.74 22.86 1.70
includes 155.45 167.64 12.19 2.94
178.31 188.98 10.67 1.17
MK-RC-0098 156.97 219.46 62.49 1.09
MK-RC-0099 89.82 108.20 18.28 0.82
121.92 175.26 53.34 1.10
204.22 239.27 35.05 1.31
246.89 259.08 12.19 1.21
MK-RC-0100 164.59 182.88 18.29 0.72
includes 173.74 178.31 4.57 2.02
188.98 198.12 9.14 0.58
201.17 213.36 12.19 0.75
224.03 252.98 28.95 0.86
262.13 274.32 12.19 0.72
MK-RC-0102 117.35 141.73 24.38 1.90
163.07 169.16 6.09 0.91
211.84 274.32 62.48 0.84
MK-RC-0104 Hole lost at 128m
MK-RC-0105 Re-drill of hole 104 - No significant results
MK-RC-0106 115.82 124.97 9.15 1.83
128.02 153.92 25.90 0.90
179.83 190.50 10.67 1.59
193.55 208.79 15.24 0.72
210.31 281.94 71.63 0.83
309.37 335.28 25.91 1.70



To view Figure 1 and Figure 2 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ITH%20FIGURES.pdf
Qualified Person
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent, as he is the President and CEO of ITH and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
The work program at Livengood was designed and is supervised by Dr. Russell Myers, Vice President, Exploration, and Chris Puchner, Chief Geologist (CPG 07048), of the Company, who are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project photograph the core from each individual borehole prior to preparing the split core. Duplicate reverse circulation drill samples are collected with one split sent for analysis. Representative chips are retained for geological logging. All sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Fairbanks, Alaska for preparation and then on to ALS Chemex in Vancouver, B.C. for assay. ALS Chemex's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025: 1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a resource exploration company, focused in Alaska and Nevada, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early stage to advanced gold and base metal discoveries. The Company's 100% owned Livengood deposit is an advanced bulk tonnage resource expansion project that is the current focus of its Alaskan program. ITH is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries while maintaining a majority interest in its holdings, thereby giving its shareholders the maximum value for their investment.
On behalf of INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
Jeffrey A. Pontius, President and Chief Executive Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the anticipated preparation and timing of an updated 43-101 resource estimate at Livengood, the potential for a significant expansion of the estimated Livengood resources, business and financing plans and business trends. Information concerning mineral resource estimates also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, should and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the inability of the Company to obtain assay results in a timely manner due to laboratory workload, the Company's inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, including those detailed above, and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Form 20F annual report. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its US disclosure filings at www.sec.gov and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This press release and other information released by the Company uses the terms "resources", "inferred resources" and "indicated resources". United States investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize them. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Inferred resources, in particular, have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources will ever be upgraded to reserves. Therefore, United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred or indicated resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically.
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the "CIM Standards") as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM. United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, the Company's disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to the SEC's Industry Guide 7.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.
NR08-27
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Contacts:
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.
Quentin Mai
Vice-President - Corporate Communications
(604)683-6332 or Toll Free: 1-888-770-7488
(604) 408-7499 (FAX)
Email: qmai@internationaltowerhill.com
Website: www.internationaltowerhill.com



SOURCE: International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.