VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 5, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Atna Resources Ltd. (TSE:ATN) is pleased to announce further drill hole results that confirm continuity of significant gold mineralization in the CX and Range Front zones at the Pinson Mine Project, Nevada. Approximately 28,000 feet of drilling have been completed and additional assay data will be received through the month of January. The dimensions of the overall mineralized envelopes in both the CX and Range Front target areas have been expanded beyond the limits of earlier drilling.
RANGE FRONT ZONE
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Drill Hole Depth ft. From ft. To ft. Length ft.(m)
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APRF-210 645 530.0 535.0 5.0 (1.52)
APRF-212 980 663.5 684.0 20.5 (6.25)
741.0 748.1 7.1 (2.16)
APRF-215 1010 835.0 850.0 15.0 (4.57)
including 840.0 850.0 10.0 (3.05)
890.0 897.0 7.0 (2.13)
continued
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Drill Hole Au oz/ton(g/t)
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APRF-210 0.395 (13.54)
APRF-212 0.265 (9.09)
0.184 (6.31)
APRF-215 0.655 (22.46)
0.923 (31.65)
0.567 (19.44)
CX FAULT ZONE
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Drill Hole Depth ft. From ft. To ft. Length ft.(m)
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APCX-213 1010 702.0 709.0 7.0 (2.13)
945.5 953.5 8.0 (2.44)
APCX-213 1100 240.0 260.0 20.0 (6.10)
800.0 806.0 6.0 (1.84)
APCX-219 1160 565.0 575.0 10.0 (3.05)
884.0 897.5 13.5 (4.12)
922.0 990.0 68.0 (20.73)
including 947.5 966.5 19.0 (5.79m)
APCX-220 1247 1122.5 1127.0 4.5 (1.37)
1137.3 1149.5 12.2 (3.72)
including 1145.0 1149.5 4.5 (1.37)
APRF-222 650 475.0 480.0 5.0 (1.52)
Continued
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Drill Hole Au oz/ton(g/t)
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APCX-213 0.196 (6.72g/t)
0.242 (8.30g/t)
APCX-213 0.139 (4.77g/t)
0.231 (7.91g/t)
APCX-219 0.364 (12.48)
0.127 (4.35)
0.153 (5.25)
0.275 (9.43g/t)
APCX-220 0.314 (10.75)
0.300 (10.28)
0.541 (18.54)
APRF-222 0.145 (4.97)
Mineralized drill intersections reported in the CX and Range Front zones are from inclined holes drilled through steeply dipping zones and are interpreted to be close to true widths.
The pre-collar reverse circulation rotary portion of drill hole APRF-223 contains the following mineralized intercept. However, due to excessive water and caving in last 200 feet of the drill hole, Atna will be re-drilling this zone with core to gain a better understanding of what may be a new zone of mineralization encountered well above the targeted Range Front mineralization.
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Drill Hole Depth ft. From ft. To ft. Length ft.(m)
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APRF-223 1000 910.0 935.0 25.0 (7.62)
including 925.0 935.0 10.0 (3.05)
continued
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Drill Hole Au oz/ton(g/t)
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APRF-223 0.675 (23.14)
0.966 (33.12)
Atna's drill and assay results are being incorporated into the reconstructed database to calculate a resource tonnage and grade during the first quarter of 2005. An underground exploration program for definition drilling of the mineralization is planned to commence in the second quarter of this year, depending on the time required to complete permitting. Engineering and planning for the underground are well advanced and discussions with selected mining contractors are in progress.
Drill samples are prepared and assayed by BSI Inspectorate Laboratories in Reno, Nevada, an independent ISO certified analytical laboratory. All gold analyzes were completed by BSI Inspectorate using standard fire assay methods with appropriate replicate and analytical standards to ensure high quality control and quality assurance. ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada re-analyzes all mineralized intervals to verify assays reported by BSI Inspectorate.
This press release was prepared under the supervision and review of William Stanley, V.P. Exploration of Atna, a Licensed Geologist, and Qualified Person with the ability and authority to verify the authenticity and validity of information contained within this news release.