Western Pacific Completes Geophysics at Mineral Gulch C & D Pits

VANCOUVER, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ - Western Pacific Resources Corp. (TSXV: WRP) is pleased to report the results of surface mapping, rock chip sampling and geophysics in the C and D pit area at its Mineral Gulch project in southern Idaho.  The C and D pit is the southernmost pit located 834 meters southwest of the Tallman pit and 1,400 meters southeast of the E pit.  The pit area is one of several major drill targets Western plans to drill upon approval of its drilling permit by the Idaho Forest Service. Highlights of recent work in the C and D area include:

1. Pit sampling shows significant mineralization existing in the pit walls
   
   
2. Pit mapping suggests down-dropping of host rocks and potential mineralization
   
   
3. Historic drill results show continuation of mineralization outside of known pits
   
   
4. Geophysics defines potential intrusives which are possible sources for the local mineralization

Pit Sampling

Thirty-seven (37) rock chip samples taken in the C and D pit show gold values ranging from <0.005 to 9.95 g/t with 10 samples being greater than 1.0 g/t.  An additional 7 rock chips ranged between 0.5 g/t and 1.0 g/t Au.  The chips vary in length, the longest being 9 meters running 1.64 g/t.  The higher gold grades are associated with the multiple structures that were mapped in the pit.  Drilling during the 2011 field season will concentrate on expanding the known mineralization left in the pit and exploring for potential mineralization down-dropped to the east.  Drilling will also follow-up on known mineralization reported from drill holes that lie outside the pit margins.  Historical drilling in the late 1980's was fairly shallow and did not test deeper targets.  All historical drill hole data was taken from Noranda annual drill hole reports acquired in the Newmont database.

Pit Mapping

Geologic mapping in the C and D pit shows the presence of deformed and altered sediments with gold concentrated within the folded rocks and along a dense network of northwest and northeast-striking faults.  Both sets of faulting appear to carry mineralization into the pits walls and out away from the pit to the northeast towards the Tallman pit, and to the northwest towards the E pit.

This is demonstrated by the mineralization shown in the following drill holes:

1) BP-87-188R, located 580m northeast of the C and D pit, drilled to 91.4 meters which cut 18.2m @ 0.42 g/t Au from 1.5m to 19.7m, and 21.3m @ 0.62 g/t Au from 53.3m to 74.6m.

2) BP-88-391R, located 154m northwest of the C and D pit, drilled to 82.3 meters, which cut 13.7m @ 2.62 g/t Au from 39.6m to 53.3m. 

3) and BP-89-479, located 778m northwest of the C and D pit, drilled to 122m which cut 42.7m @ 1.92 g/t Au from surface to 42.7m.

These drill results are taken from Noranda's Year End Project Reports dated January 1988 and January1989. These results are historic in nature, and Western Pacific has not yet completed sufficient work to verify the results; as such they have to be treated with caution. However, Western Pacific believes the work was carried out to a high standard.

Geophysics

The results of the recent magnetic and gravity survey over the C and D area show a magnetic anomaly (potential source of mineralization) southeast of the C and D pit.  The magnetic anomaly is located near the intersection of the eastern range bounding fault and the feeder fault that connects the C and D pit with the E pit. This magnetic anomaly, along with the one reported east of the Tallman pit, 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. 

Western's 2011 Exploration Plans

• Western is planning the following work for 2011:
  
  
• Drill 33 holes to test 8 target areas
  
  
• Map and sample the remaining pits (A, B and E)
  
  
• Continue surface sampling and mapping to follow up on the down-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

About Mineral Gulch

Mineral Gulch is located in Cassia County, Idaho, along the southeast edge of the Black Pine Mountains and on trend with Newmont's Long Canyon deposit. Western Pacific owns 100% of the project which it acquired through staking.

The project encompasses the historic Black Pine Mining District and surrounding exploration ground. Western Pacific recently acquired the historical proprietary data for the property from Newmont Mining Corporation.

Sporadic small-scale gold and base-metal mining occurred in the area as early as 1915. Noranda conducted exploration programs at Black Pine between 1984 and 1990. Pegasus Gold entered into a joint venture with Noranda in 1990 and became the majority owner and operator of the mining effort between 1992 and 1998. The Black Pine produced over 500,000 ounces of gold at an average head grade of 1.5 grams from several small open pits. Historic exploration and mining efforts have generally focused on near-surface, oxidized ore bodies.

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.

Qualified Person

Curt Everson, M.Sc., P.Geo., 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.

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.

This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses -- that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com).  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Western Pacific Resources Corp.