Imperial extends Sterling property

Imperial Metals Corporation reports underground drilling at Sterling has confirmed the presence of significant gold mineralization east of the latite dike that previously defined the eastern boundary of the 144 Zone. Hole SU08-16, drilled east of the dike to the north of the decline, returned 0.30 ounces per ton (10.28 g/t) gold over 15 feet, with the entire hole returning 0.13 ounces per ton (4.46 g/t) gold over 79.5 feet. Hole SU08-15, drilled from the same location with a steeper dip, returned 0.15 ounces per ton (5.28 g/t) gold over 38.7 feet.

The entire 264 foot length of SU08-15 was in breccia grading 0.07 ounces per ton (2.40 g/t) gold. Hole SU08-12, drilled from the same location but to the south of the decline, returned 0.17 ounces per ton (5.83 g/t) gold over 11.2 feet, within a longer interval returning 0.10 ounces per ton (3.43 g/t) gold over 56.2 feet.

Previously released rib samples from the decline averaged 0.039 ounces per ton (1.33 g/t) over 150 feet as it passed through the breccia east of the dike. The latest drill results expand the zone of significant gold mineralization east of the latite dike to over 350 feet in a north-south direction.

Diamond drill hole SU08-11 was drilled within the 144 Zone west of the dike that had been previously outlined by surface drilling. This hole targeted the core of the mineralization system and returned 0.54 ounces per ton (18.51 g/t) gold over 7.5 feet, within a 153.5 foot mineralized interval grading 0.14 ounces per ton (4.80 g/t) gold. To date assay results have been received from 15 of 26 holes drilled in the 144 Zone. Fourteen of the fifteen holes for which assays have been received, intersected gold mineralization grading higher than the 0.1 ounce per ton cut-off grade used in the previous mining operations (1980-2000) at Sterling.