Mount Polley Exploration Expands Springer Zone

VANCOUVER - Imperial Metals Corporation reported the latest results from 2012 Mount Polley exploration which confirm that copper/gold mineralization extends to depth below the bottom of the Phase 5 Springer pit. The drill program was focused below the north and central areas of the Springer pit. Some holes intersected long intervals of continuous mineralization. Hole SD12-132, a vertical hole from the bottom of the Springer pit, intercepted 432.5 metres grading 0.29% copper and 0.25 g/t gold starting at 22.5 metres below the current pit elevation. Springer zone exploration diamond drilling in 2012 has totalled 16,381 metres to the end of hole SD12-142.

This current drilling confirms the copper/gold mineralization identified by historic drilling below the south end of the Springer Phase 5 pit extends to the north. The drill program revealed long intercepts of copper/gold mineralization which expand the known mineralization to depths in excess of 500 metres below the Springer Phase 5 pit design in the north end. All drill holes reported in this area intersected one or more significant intervals of Springer style copper/gold mineralization. The deep mineralization is strongly dominated by sulphide minerals with an average ratio of 12.68% oxide copper to total copper in the reported intervals.

Most drilling was from the bottom of the Springer pit, however four drill holes (SD12-129, SD12-135, SD12-138 and SD12-140) were drilled from west of the pit and were designed to cut across beneath the planned Phase 5 Springer pit. Hole SD12-117 (ref: NR May 29/12) drilled at this orientation intersected 312.2 metres grading 0.30% copper and 0.31 g/t gold, including 70 metres grading 0.78% copper and 0.81 g/t gold. Current hole SD12-129 was collared 200 metres to the north at the same azimuth (90í) and dip (-50í) and encountered a similar zone of 400 metres grading 0.29% copper and 0.27 g/t gold, including a higher grade 87.5 metre zone of 0.40% copper and 0.45 g/t gold.

Imperial is an exploration, mine development and operating company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Company operates the Mount Polley open pit copper/gold mine and has 50% interest in the Huckleberry open pit copper/molybdenum mine. Imperial is developing its wholly owned Red Chris copper/gold property and the Ruddock Creek lead/zinc property (65% joint venture) and is operator of its wholly owned Sterling gold heap leach property. All the Company's properties are located in British Columbia with the exception of Sterling which is in Nevada.

The company's address is 200-580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B6, 604.669.8959.