Mineral Gulch Exploration Results, 10,000 Meters of Drilling Planned

VANCOUVER, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ - Western Pacific Resources Corp. (WRP - TSXV) is pleased to report the results of surface mapping, rock chip sampling and geophysics in the Tallman pit area at its Mineral Gulch project in southern Idaho.  The Tallman pit is the easternmost pit located in the center of Western's claim block and is one of several major drill targets Western plans to drill upon approval of our drilling permit by the Idaho Forest Service.  Highlights of the recent work include:

1. Geophysics defines potential intrusives, possible sources for mineralization.
   
   
2. Pit mapping suggests down-dropping of host rocks and potential mineralization.
   
   
3. Historic drill results show continuation of mineralization outside of known pits.

Geophysics

A ground magnetics survey was completed over most of the Company's claim block.  The results show that the eastern half of the claim block is underlain by a significant amount of magnetic rock which may indicate the presence of the heat source (intrusive rocks) for local mineralization.  To date only a minor number of igneous dikes have been mapped in the project area, yet the magnetics show potential intrusive bodies at depth in the eastern half of the claim block and extending northward into the Mineral Gulch area.  This suggests that mineralization may have come from a source to the east and additional targets lie at depth along the range front east of the Tallman, C/D and A pits.

Pit Mapping

Geologic mapping in the Tallman pit shows the presence of deformed and altered sediments with gold concentrated within the folded rocks and along a dense network of north and northeast-striking faults.  Post mineral faulting observed in the pit has appeared to down-drop altered and potentially mineralized rock to the east. An example of this down-dropped mineralization can be found in the historic drill hole BP-86-12 (34 meters NE of the Tallman pit) which bottomed in 18.3 meters of 3.15 g/t gold (103.6 m to 121.9 m).  Drill hole BP-88-392, located 213 meters NE of pit A, also intersected 18.3 meters of 4.79 g/t gold from 18.3 m - 36.6 m.  (These drill results are derived from Noranda's Year End Project Reports dated January 1987 and January1989).  Both areas will have follow-up drilling this coming summer season.

Pit Sampling

Pit sampling in the Tallman pit was reported in our press release dated July, 26, 2010.  The highest gold values were associated with the carbon-rich rocks collected in the northwest end of the pit.  Drill cuttings found east of the Tallman pit (along the range front) show that carbon-rich rock was encountered during historic drilling; unfortunately, the location of this drill data is unknown at this time.

The geophysics, pit mapping and pit sampling at the Tallman indicate that significant untested, drill targets still remain to be drilled on the property.  Mapping and sampling for the C/D Pit is presently being compiled and also appears to show the same geologic relationships seen in the Tallman Pit. This data will be reported once the compilation of the data is completed.

Western's 2011 Exploration Plans

• Drill the eight target areas (33 drill holes) presently planned for the up-coming field season.
  
  
• Continue surface sampling and mapping to follow up on the drown-dropped mineralization potential east of the known pits.
  
  
• Expand (and in-fill) the original Noranda soil grid to aid in locating potential buried targets.
  
  
• Continue exploration throughout Nevada in search of high quality properties.
  
  
• Explore new strategic alliance and joint venture opportunities.

Qualified Person

Curt Everson, MSc, PGeo, is Western Pacific's Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and has prepared or supervised the preparation of the disclosure of any scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Western Pacific

Western Pacific is a gold explorer focused on acquiring advanced-stage projects in the Western United States, and has the right combination of exploration and financial professionals to succeed in making a world class gold discovery.  For more information, please visit our website at www.westernpacificresources.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Warwick Smith, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Western Pacific Resources Corp.  Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statement.

SOURCE Western Pacific Resources Corp.