VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - May 14, 2007) - Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) reports the discovery of new mineralization within existing pit boundaries and at depth below the presently defined pit in the Springer Zone.
Significant intervals in the Springer Zone include hole SD07-20 which intersected 454.2 metres grading 0.44% copper and 0.30 g/t gold, and SD07-27 which intersected a near-surface gold-rich zone of 42.5 metres grading 0.09% copper and 0.38 g/t gold, beginning 22.5 metres downhole. Hole SD07-27 expands the Springer mineralization to the south of its previously known extent. Hole SD07-48 was drilled to follow up on SD07-27 and intercepted 80.0 metres grading 0.81% copper and 0.91 g/t gold. The high grade mineralization in SD07-48 was in an area previously undrilled and ended beneath the Cariboo pit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Springer Zone Drill Total Interval Interval Interval Copper Gold Hole # Length (m) from (m) to (m) Length (m) % g/t SD07-20 639.2 185.0 639.2 454.2 0.44 0.30 including 297.5 345.0 47.5 1.13 0.43 SD07-21 579.1 292.5 579.1 286.6 0.38 0.39 SD07-22 459.3 350.0 459.3 109.3 0.43 0.31 SD07-24 258.2 6.7 125.0 118.3 0.36 0.15 SD07-27 322.2 22.5 65.0 42.5 0.09 0.38 SD07-48 628.2 472.5 552.5 80.0 0.81 0.91 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pond Zone hole PZ07-06 tested the vertical extent of mineralization discovered in 2005, returning 145.9 metres grading 0.52% copper, 0.31 g/t gold and 7.54 ppm silver staring at 9.1 metres downhole. This intercept has proven the grade and size potential, and raised the priority of the Pond Zone for more intensive drilling in 2007.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pond Zone Total Interval Interval Interval Drill Length from to Length Copper Gold Silver Hole # (m) (m) (m) (m) % g/t ppm PZ07-05 172.2 72.5 97.5 25.0 0.56 0.17 7.17 PZ07-06 267.3 9.1 155.0 145.9 0.52 0.31 7.54 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drilling in the Southeast Zone was conducted to confirm mineralization around the perimeter of the planned pit, which will begin delivering ore to the mill this summer. Holes SE07-63 to SE07-66 were drilled along the western side of the proposed pit. The strongest intersection in this area was 94.3 metres grading 0.22% copper and 0.42 g/t gold in SE07-63. Just beyond the eastern limit of the proposed pit, SE07-69 returned 50.0 metres grading 0.25% copper and 0.33 g/t gold.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southeast Zone Drill Total Interval Interval Interval Copper Gold Hole # Length (m) from (m) to (m) Length (m) % g/t SE07-63 175.3 8.2 102.5 94.3 0.22 0.42 SE07-65 191.1 31.5 72.5 41.0 0.11 0.53 SE07-66 118.0 15.0 62.5 47.5 0.29 0.66 SE07-69 166.7 30.0 80.0 50.0 0.25 0.33 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several holes were also drilled in the Boundary Zone, and north of the Wight Pit. Hole ND07-30 intersected 34.2 metres grading 0.37% copper, 0.70 g/t gold and 2.0 ppm silver.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boundary Total Interval Interval Interval Drill Length from to Length Copper Gold Silver Hole # (m) (m) (m) (m) % g/t ppm ND07-30 353.3 92.5 126.7 34.2 0.37 0.70 2.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The exploration program at Mount Polley will continue throughout the year. Three drill rigs are on-site, all currently operating in the Springer Zone. New targets are being generated through the use of a proton ground magnetometer, trenching and field mapping. As the snow melts better access to the outlying areas of the property will allow testing of these targets.
Patrick McAndless, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the exploration program. Samples for the current diamond drilling program were analyzed at the Mount Polley Mine laboratory and Acme Analytical Laboratories in Vancouver. A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was maintained for all samples submitted to the lab. The porphyry and breccia related deposits at Mount Polley are irregular in shape and true thicknesses have not been estimated.
A drill plan map and drill assay table will be available on Imperial's website at www.imperialmetals.com.
The Mount Polley open pit copper/gold mine, wholly owned by Imperial, is located 56 kilometres northeast of Williams Lake, BC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Imperial Metals Corporation
Brian Kynoch
President
(604) 669-8959
(604) 687-4030 (FAX)
Imperial Metals Corporation
Patrick McAndless
Vice President Exploration
(604) 488-2665
Imperial Metals Corporation
Sabine Goetz
Investor Relations
(604) 488-2657
Email: info@imperialmetals.com
Website: www.imperialmetals.com
