Vancouver, B.C., December 18, 2003 - DRC Resources has commissioned Behre Dolbear & Company Ltd. to prepare a Pre-Feasibility Study based on a December, 2003 upgrade of the May, 2003 Mineral Resource Study by Giroux Consultants. Ltd., a member of the Behre Dolbear consulting group. The updated resource study has upgraded sufficient of the inferred to the indicated category of mineral resources in the Afton Main Zone, to permit exclusion of inferred resource material in the preparation of a new reserves-based Pre-Feasibility Study. Accordingly, the reserves announced in Press Release dated October 8, 2003 are retracted, but should be re-established in the mine plan of the newly commissioned Pre-Feasibility Study. An updated mine plan is now being completed by Metalica S.A. of Chile, the mine planning member of the Behre Dolbear group, with the full Behre Dolbear Pre-Feasibility Study to follow.
Giroux Consultants report that their work entailed estimating the mineral resources of the Afton Main Zone in conformance with the CIM Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve definitions referred to in National Instrument (NI) 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Mr. Gary Giroux, P.Eng., of Giroux Consultants Ltd., has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101, this report will be an update of the May 2003 Mineral Resource Study, a technical report. The updated resource estimate in conjunction with the Pre-Feasibility report will be filed on SEDAR within 30 days.
Afton Underground Exploration
The Company is very pleased with the results of the Afton underground exploration (5m X 5m) portal decline, under the direction of Mining Engineer, Michael G. Stoner, P.Eng., Competent rock conditions have been encountered in the early stages of excavation and Mr. Stoner states "the ground was reported fractured but well in filled and proved to be competent". These favorable rock conditions are encouraging geotechnically for the continuation of the underground program in 2004.
The Surface Diamond Drilling is continuing for both the Afton and the Pothook Mineral Zones.
For further information on DRC and the Afton Project, please visit our web site at www.drcresources.com or call us at 604-687-1629.
On behalf of DRC Resources Corporation
"John Kruzick"
John Kruzick
President and Chief Executive Officer
For further information on DRC Resources and the Afton Project, please contact:
DRC Resources Corporation, 601 - 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2T5
Tel: 604-687-1629, Fax: 604-687-2845
Email: drcresources@uniserve.com
Website: www.drcresources.com
Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995: This release made may contain forward-looking statements that are affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed, implied or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements herein represent management's best judgement as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not intend to update this information and disclaims any legal liability to the contrary.
DRC Resources Corporation's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: DRC). The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release.
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