TSX-V:NCM

 

Press Release

2008 EXPLORATION PROGRAM COMMENCES ON BUG WARATAH

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information


VICTORIA, BC, July 8, 2008 – Newcastle Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:NCM) is pleased to announce the commencement of the exploration program recommended by Burgoyne Geological Inc. [BGI] on the Bug-Waratah properties located in the Iskut River area of north-western British Columbia.  This program includes prospecting and rock sampling to follow up on vein discoveries defined during historical exploration.  Soil sampling will be done on relatively underexplored portions of the property.


Bug Lake/Waratah Property

The Bug Lake Property is located two kilometres east of the past-producing Snip Mine and comprises the Bug 1-3 and Waratah 7 claims totalling approximately 1,400 hectares. 


The styles of vein mineralization found on the claims are similar to those found at the former producing Snip gold mine. Several historical phases of exploration have been carried out, which comprised geological mapping, trenching, geochemical surveys including heavy mineral, silt, soil and rock, and lesser amounts of prospecting, geophysical surveys (VLF and EM) and 57 diamond drill holes.


Exploration conducted in 2002 on the south central portions of the claims (Centre Base Line Area) confirmed historical results and uncovered a new mineral discovery of one of the soil sampling areas.  A soil sample returned 11.29 grams per tonne gold and an adjacent rock float sample, which was semi-massive arsenopyrite quartz vein, returned 69.42 grams per tonne gold. Grab rock samples in this general area also returned elevated values such as 4.54 and 15.66 grams per tonne gold.  The Company intends to follow-up on these discoveries during this year’s work program by further rock and soil sampling.


This year’s work program will also focus on re-sampling and mapping the area known as the Cooper Zone, located on the Waratah 7 claim. Here, mineralization comprises up to 10% pyrite in fracture fillings, stringers, and pods. The mineralization is associated with quartz veinlets and lenses within an andesitic tuff. The entire mineralized zone appears to trend east-southeast. Three trenches were blasted; the best results were from the Lower Trench, where 24.58 grams per tonne gold was returned over a sample length of 2.5 meters. The Center Trench returned 20.23 grams per tonne gold over 1.45 meters; however, this intersection was not entirely exposed due to terrain. The Upper Trench returned 15.19 grams per tonne gold over 1.0 meter.  Further prospecting, sampling and mapping of the Cooper Zone grid are planned for this season.  Also, soil sampling west of the Cooper Zone may be undertaken.


In addition, the company’s plans include future drilling of the Snip North Property and quantifying the Iskut Deposit in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, as announced in the Company’s April 22, 2008 press release.


The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed for technical accuracy by Mr. A. A. Burgoyne, P.Eng., M.Sc., of Burgoyne Geological Inc., who serves as the Qualified Person for the property under National Instrument 43-101.




ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD


Signed “Kevin C. Whelan”

Kevin C. Whelan, President








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