SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 6, 2009

Sterling Mining Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Idaho

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

000-52669		82-0300575
(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2201 N. Government Way, Ste E

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(208) 666-4070

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.03 Bankruptcy or Receivership.

On March 3, 2009, Sterling Mining Company (the “Company”) filed a voluntary petition for reorganization relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho. The Company will continue to manage their businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court. A copy of the press release dated March 2, 2009 announcing the Company’s intention to file bankruptcy is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	STERLING MINING COMPANY

Dated: March 6, 2009	By:	: /s/ Roger A. Van Voorhees
		Roger A. Van Voorhees
		President/Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release of Sterling Mining Company, dated March 2, 2009.

Sterling Mining CO 8-K