Monarca Minerals Inc. announced that it has obtained an Environmental Permit to complete its planned 5,000 metre drilling program on its San Jose Silver Project ("San Jose") in Mexico. Monarca commenced building and completing the rehabilitation of 7 km of roads during the week of July 26 and drilling is expected to commence within the next four weeks once site preparation is complete. The Company also announces that, in accordance with the Company's stock option plan, it has granted the Directors of the Company a total of 2,400,000 stock options. Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.08 per share for a period of 4 years from the date of issuance.