VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/16/13

Rio Alto Mining Limited ("Rio Alto") (TSX:RIO)(LMA:RIO)(NYSE:RIOM)(DBFrankfurt:MS2) is pleased to announce that the Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP of Peru (the Superintendent of Banking, Insurance Companies and Pension Funds) has determined that the Company's common shares are eligible as an investment for Peruvian pension funds.

Anthony Hawkshaw, Director and Chief Financial Officer, remarked, "Listing our common shares on the Lima Stock Exchange was an important step in gaining the confidence of Latin American investors and recognition by the Superintendencia of the Company's emergence from a junior mine developer to a 200,000 ounce per year gold producer will further enhance the Peruvian market's perception of Rio Alto."

To learn more about Rio Alto Mining Limited, please visit: www.rioaltomining.com or Rio Alto's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF RIO ALTO MINING LIMITED

Anthony Hawkshaw, Director & CFO

Contacts:
Rio Alto Mining Limited
Anthony Hawkshaw
Director & CFO
+1 778 389 5907 or +511 625 9900
tonyh@rioaltomining.com

Rio Alto Mining Limited
Alejandra Gomez
Investor Relations
604.628.1401
866.393.4493 (FAX)
alejandrag@rioaltomining.com
www.rioaltomining.com