Huckleberry Updates Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates

Huckleberry Updates Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates

Vancouver - May 11, 2010 - Imperial Metals Corporation (III-TSX) reports the updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the Huckleberry mine.

The updated reserve for the Main Zone Extension Pit (Saddle Expansion) will enable milling operations to continue to July 2012. Prices used in the calculation of the Huckleberry reserves were: US$1.50/lb copper, US$700.00/oz gold, US$8.00/oz silver, and an exchange rate of $1.25 CDN/US.

Proven and Probable Reserves(1)	Ore (tonnes)	Copper (%)	Moly (%)	Strip Ratio
Main Zone Extension Pit (Saddle Expansion)(2)	14,010,000	0.362	0.005	0.56:1

(1) Released in 2009 Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2010.
(2) A cross section is available on the Imperial website.

In 2009 Huckleberry conducted a two-phase exploration program. Phase I included 12 diamond drill holes totaling 2,577 metres to test airborne and ground IP geophysical targets generated from 2006-2007 exploration programs. Seven of the holes intercepted copper mineralization, including 117 metres grading 0.24% copper in drill hole 09-006 located in the TMF 2 area.

Phase II of the program tested the targets identified by Geoscience BC airborne geophysics survey conducted in late 2008. The drill program targeted resources at depth below the current Main Zone Extension pit, as well as the previously mined Main Zone pit. The program culminated with a total of 16 diamond drill holes totaling 5,714 metres.

Drill hole DDH90ST-F intersected 0.38% copper and 0.010% molybdenum over 486 metres from 12 to 498 metres, which is the longest intersection of continuous mineralization reported from Huckleberry since exploration began nearly 47 years ago. Additional drilling is planned for 2010 to follow up on the 2009 drilling, with emphasis on locating higher grade mineralization. Complete assay results are available on the Company’s website. Following are select assays from the 2009 Phase II drill program.

2009 Phase II Drill Results
Hole	Dip	Azimuth	Depth (m)	Cu %	Mo %	Width (m)	From (m)	To (m)
09ST-A	-50	180	351	0.42	0.017	246	78	324
09ST-C	-50	180	345	0.40	0.015	267	54	321
09ST-E	-90	360	249	0.49	0.015	219	0	219
09ST-F	-46	180	498	0.38	0.010	486	0	486
09ST-G	-75	180	470	0.38	0.008	369	21	390
09ST-H	-65	360	354	0.41	0.005	273	9	282
09ST-Q	-60	180	321	0.38	0.020	282	15	297

Based on the success of the Phase II drill program, the resource model was updated, and the measured and indicated resource for the entire Main Zone deposit increased from 117.9 million tonnes grading 0.325% copper to 182.9 million tonnes grading 0.321% copper, an increase of 55%. The resource estimates were calculated at a cut-off grade of 0.20% copper, and include reserve blocks.

2008 Resource Model (prior to 2009 drilling)					2010 Preliminary Resource Model (with 2009 drilling)
(tonnes)		Copper %	Contained lbs Copper		(tonnes)	Copper %	Contained lbs Copper
Measured	87.0	0.333	638.7		94.4	0.339	705.5
Indicated	30.9	0.305	207.7		88.6	0.301	587.9
Measured+Indicated	117.9	0.325	844.7		182.9	0.321	1,295.0
Inferred	8.0	0.264	46.5		45.4	0.288	288.2

Two mine plans are being studied to extend the Huckleberry mine life, given the current copper prices and the large resources remaining in the Main zone. The first plan will be to mine a small expansion to the Main Zone Extension pit, called the Stirrup Expansion, which could add about a year to the mine life. Details of this plan are to be submitted to the Huckleberry board of directors for consideration later this year. A second mine plan that will determine the feasibility of removing tailing and waste from the Main zone pit and mining a part of the large resource located below it. A cross section is available on Imperial’s website.

The updated estimates of the Main Zone Extension Pit (Saddle Expansion) were prepared as at January 1, 2010 under supervision of Kent Christensen, P.Eng., Chief Mine Engineer for Huckleberry mine, designated as the Qualified Person.

Peter L. Ogryzlo, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the exploration programs. Analyses for copper and molybdenum were performed using the laboratory at the Huckleberry mine site. A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was maintained for all samples submitted to the lab. Several duplicate samples were sent to Acme Laboratories Vancouver to compare and verify results from the Huckleberry mine laboratory.

The Huckleberry board recently declared a dividend of $10 million to be paid to its shareholders. Imperial, a shareholder of Huckleberry Mines Ltd., holds a 50% interest.


Contact: Brian Kynoch, President 604.669.8959; Patrick McAndless, Vice President Exploration 604.488.2665;
Sabine Goetz, Investor Relations 604.488.2657 // website: www.imperialmetals.com // email: info@imperialmetals.com

View accompanying maps
View drill results

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