MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.  announces that it has finalized an agreement to acquire 100% of the Hornby and Pender Properties, located in the “Ring of Fire” area of the James Bay Lowlands, with Temex Resources Corp. An exploration update follows the agreement details below.

The Hornby Property

MacDonald Mines Hornby Property is located contiguous to the KWG/Spider “Big Daddy” chromite deposit. The Company believes, based on a total review of its airborne survey and historical exploration data, that the Hornby Property has the potential to host the extension of the Big Daddy deposit.

The Property also exhibits prospective volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) (copper, zinc and lead) geophysical targets and is on same stratigraphy as Spider/KWG McFauld’s Lake VMS discovery. Historical drilling in the proximity of this prospective target intersected VMS mineralization.

Exploration Update

As detailed in the Company’s recent press releases, MacDonald Mines has several significant mineral opportunities across multiple properties in the James Bay Lowlands. The spring 2010 drill program consisting of 26 holes, 4,471 meters and focused on the McNugget Property and identified new VMS mineralization of substance on four fold limbs.

A summary of the highlighted drill holes reported were as follows;

Copper (Cu)

• Hole MN10-102 intersected 1.03% over 15 metres
• Hole MN10-111 intersected 1.04% over 5 metres
• Hole MN10-90 intersected 1.11% over 5 metres

Zinc (Zn)

• Hole MN10-104 intersected 3.3% over 9 metres
• Hole MN10-106 intersected 2.55% over 4 metres
• Hole MN10-110 intersected 2.82% over 5 metres
• Hole MN10-102 intersected 2.5% over 3 metres
• Hole MN10-104 intersected 2.00% Zn and 0.88% Cu over 6 metres

Silver (Ag)

• Hole MN10-87 intersected 13.32 g/t over 5.3 metres
• Hole MN10-94 intersected 16.56 g/t over 4 metres
• Hole MN10-102 intersected 11.67 g/t over 3 metres
• Hole MN10-104 intersected 11.97 g/t over 3 metres

Final assays from this last phase of drilling are pending and will be reported once they have been received and reviewed by the Company.

This large VMS system, which is open in all directions and yields VMS mineralization over a potential cumulative strike length of approximately 20 kilometres, was described by consulting geologist Hadyn R. Butler, P.Geo, as potentially being a new VMS camp.

Next Phase of Drilling to Commence Early September With 2 Drills

Crone Geophysics’ down-hole and surface EM system was employed in the previous phases of exploration, assisting in the discovery of the four VMS mineralized fold limbs, and will again be utilized for the upcoming drill program for drill target control.

The Company will continue to operate two drills for this upcoming drill program and will focus on the positive results from its successful spring 2010 drilling program on the McNugget Property.

Targeting Nickel and VMS on McNugget Property

VMS

The pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite-pyrite mineralization observed in the core of the McNugget property is indicative of VMS mineralization. The pattern of chlorite and sericite alteration, coupled with varying Cu/Zn ratios and alteration index plots from available geochemistry, indicates that there are at least three separate hydrothermal discharge vents/centres found within the same stratigraphic horizon of a large fold complex (McNugget).

Sulphide mineralization observed in drill core generally appears between footwall metasediments and hangingwall felsic volcanics, a lithologic sequence indicative of a Bimodal-Siliciclastic VMS environment.

Based on alteration mineralogy, geochemical vector analysis and 3-D geophysical modelling, it appears that the significant VMS mineralization intersected to date is peripheral to the volcanic centres (sources).

The Company’s current information is pointing to the Fold Nose found on the property as the most immediate prospective appreciable VMS mineralization. A surface and airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey are currently underway on the Fold Nose – and these results will direct the drilling program.

Nickel

The highest priority nickel target on the McNugget property remains to be in the vicinity of MN07-39. A completion of the airborne magnetic and EM, and Noront Resources’ recent image of the Eagles Nest indicates that the same magnetic horizon extends from the Noront discovery through the McNugget property – adjacent to MN07-39. Prior to further drilling, this area will be investigated further using the following geophysical techniques – VTEM and AeroTEM IV, magnetics, and Crone Geophysics surface and down-hole pulse EM system.

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. anounces that it has recommenced its 2010 exploration drilling program in the Ring of Fire, James Bay Lowlands.

The Company will be utilizing two drills for this phase of drilling and will focus on the results from its successful spring 2010 drilling program.

The spring 2010 drill program on its McNugget Property identified new volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) mineralization on four fold limbs.

Targeting Nickel and VMS on McNugget Property

“The McNugget Property has moderate to high potential for both Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide and Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits.” – Dr. Tucker Barrie, P. Geo.
This phase of drilling will focus on five principal base metal occurrence areas: 1) Campbell (Cu-Zn, to northeast); 2) Campbell West (Cu-Zn, north central); the 3) Fold Nose (Cu-Zn, to northeast); 4) Southern (Cu-Zn and Ni-Cu, to south); and 5) Area 39 (Ni-Cu-PGE, to southeast. (Figures are available on MacDonald’s website at www.macdonaldmines.com). Initial drilling will be concentrated on the four VMS horizons identified through the previous drilling and geophysical investigations.

East Portion of McNugget Property on Same Stratigraphy as Noront’s Eagles Nest

Unlike Noront’s discovery, the EM conductors (2) in the vicinity of MN07-39 are greater than 300m in strike length (based on both VTEM and Crone PEM – surface and borehole) compared to the Eagles Nest 100-200m strike length.  Six DDH holes are targeted in this area to explain the EM anomalies during the current drill program.

Company Provides  Detailed Outline of  Voisey’s Bay-type Target on Hulbert-Salo Property

The Company has staked 14 mining claims covering an area of 3,140 hectares with magnetic and EM (VTEM survey) characteristics of an intact ultramafic-gabbroic intrusion.  Modelling of these data results in a spoon-shaped intrusion with multiple internal structures, similar in size and shape of the Voisey’s Bay complex which hosts numerous Ni-Cu deposits.

The VTEM/Mag conducted over the Property has identified an anomaly approximately 10.9 km long by greater than 3.3km wide at its widest.   Historical prospecting over the area identified both gabbroic and ultramafic rocks. An interpreted “feeder zone/dyke” exists to the west of the main intrusive.  The most prospective EM conductor - the primary nickel target – is located just above the throat of the feeder dyke, similar in position to the Ovoid at Voisey’s Bay. A 3D model of the magnetic data is available on our website.

“It is both unusual and highly prospective to find a system that appears to be so intact with EM anomalies identified in groups within the magnetic network/structures (cycles or influxes)”,  comments Quentin Yarie, P.Geo. Vice President of Exploration.   “The Voisey’s Bay mineralization has been explained in terms of a model calling for repeated influxes of magma and these characteristics are obvious in the Hulbert-Salo data.”

Current short term work plans include a Crone PEM ground survey over the most prospective Nickel targets (identified from the VTEM inversion).  Upon review of this data, a drill program will be defined.  Because the Hulbert-Salo property is in a  new area MacDonald will engage in consultation with both Webequie and Kasabonica First Nations and outline the proposed first phase of drilling.  This is in keeping with MacDonald Mines established protocols regarding exploration on historical lands used by First Nation communities.

The ground geophysical program has been used by MacDonald Mines on its McNugget Property resulting in significant success in identifying targets of interest for drilling.  Based on previous experience, the Company is confident that this process can be completed quickly and with minimal impact on the ground as it requires no line cutting (GPS positioning would be utilized).

MacDonald Mines in presenting this target of opportunity cautions that drilling will be required to confirm the sources of the EM conductors.

Goldbrook Ventures Inc.,   announces the commencement of a winter geophysics program at its McCart Lake camp in the western portion of the Raglan belt, Ungava, Quebec in order to carry out a planned winter geophysical program.  Contractors, equipment and support personnel arrived at the McCart Lake camp site in early April, using ski-equipped aircraft, to carry out a program starting April 18^th, of ground magnetic and EM surveying in preparation for an aggressive exploration and drilling program during the summer season.

About 1600 line-kilometres of continuous recording high resolution magnetometer surveys over various areas of interest are being completed by Clearview Geophysics Inc. These high resolution magnetometer surveys are conducted in “walking mode” in conjunction with GPS guided snowmobile towed mode. The magnetometer data provide the mapping information for the detection and delineation of ultramafic bodies which host Raglan-style mineralization.

Two crews, from Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd, are conducting up to 70 line-kilometres of moving loop electromagnetic surveys using a combination of SQUID and fluxgate sensors. These sensors are state-of-the-art instruments specifically designed to detect and discriminate the highly conductive nickel sulphides of the Raglan deposits.  The moving loop model of surveying is labour intensive, but provides the highest resolution.

The 2010 exploration program, with a budget of over $17,500,000, includes a goal of 25,000 metres of diamond drilling in conjunction with an extensive program of prospecting, geochemical surveys, geological mapping and ground geophysics over both the east and west extensions of the productive north and south Raglan horizons. This is an aggressive expansion from the previous, and successful, exploration focus on the Belanger Trend into new, and high potential geological target areas. This program will follow-up on the positive results of geological, geophysical and remote sensing surveys completed in these areas over the last two years and which helped with discoveries of extensive nickel sulphides at the Mystery and Timtu zones.  The work is expected to be successful in defining new sulphide nickel occurrences within the Company’s extensive Raglan Nickel Belt property holdings.

The large Goldbrook property is located in Nunavik, northern Quebec, Canada.

The 2008 exploration program consisted of 12,000 metres of BQ size core drilling, a remote sensing program that covered large parts of the Goldbrook property, a regional geology and sampling program, interpretation of VTEM geophysical data collected in 2007, and reclamation of two camp sites previously used for exploration in parts of the Goldbrook property.

There are numerous other areas of interest / showings that warrant analysis and search for specific drill targets. Some of these areas are also candidates for further geophysical surveys or tests with methods such as gravity, walking magnetics, ZTEM, and SQUID-sensor ground EM, and possibly for more detailed VTEM analysis. In addition, analysis of regional geochemical data (rock, soil and till) may provide insights or support other evidence for drilling.

The RN-10-05 hole, targeting an airborne geophysical survey (VTEM) anomaly, has been started, with an anticipated hole length of 500 m. These holes are testing targets in the Magoo Lake area, located approximately 1.5 km northwest of the Discovery Zone. Five additional holes ranging in depth between 325 m and 700 m are planned and will target VTEM, DeepEM surface survey and Borehole Pulse EM geophysical survey anomalies. Total drilling anticipated in this program is estimated to be 3,000 m.

Hole RN-10-10 will target a large conductive modeled plate near the recently completed drilling on the Tower Zone, and is planned to be 700 m in length. Company geologists have recognized the potential extension of the Discovery Zone rhyolite in this area. This target will be drilled later in the program, as it can be drilled from ground that is accessible all year round.

Deep penetrating ground geophysical surveys have identified new conductive targets northeast and along strike of the Tower Zone over a strike length of approximately 1 km. These are untested anomalies and deeper than any previously drilled in the northeast Tower area. Three holes, each testing a new anomaly, will be drilled. Anomalies have been modeled below 300 m from surface. Hole RN-10-09 will test the deepest target in the area and has a planned length of 700 m.

drill holes RN-10-07 and RN-10-08 will test geophysical conductors located in the vicinity of an historical drill hole which reported multiple intervals of disseminated, stringer and near solid to solid sulphide, with anomalous copper, zinc and silver values in altered volcanic rock. Reprocessed historical geophysical survey data, including bore hole survey data, has been merged with VMS VTEM airborne survey data and more recent ground deep EM survey results.

These three drill targets, located on mining claim P6805E, are spatially associated with the Company’s recent surface pulse electromagnetic survey that outlined several highly conductive plates directly associated with, or flanking, a magnetic response.

A VTEM anomaly with a coincident magnetic high defined on mining claim P5643E will also be drilled. It is located approximately 2 km east-northeast of the Phase 1 Tower Zone drilling area.  This target has a lateral extent of over 700 m and based on modeling of electromagnetic data is suggestive of stacked conductive zones. Historical drilling results in the area have reported strongly altered volcanic rock and sulphide mineralization with anomalous copper and zinc. The geological setting of these conductors is interpreted to be very favorable for hosting base metal massive sulphide-type deposits of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake belt.

Drilling on mining claim P1019F will target two separate VTEM anomalies near Magoo Lake.  Historical work completed by Noranda Exploration in this region outlined highly anomalous copper and zinc values in a highly chlorite-altered volcanic host rock. This geological setting is also favorable for the formation of base metal massive sulphide mineralization and two holes are planned to test the targets.

One of the known volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) districts is  Snow Lake which is located in central Manitoba. The VMS mineralization is associated with juvenile rocks of the Flin Flon greenstone belt. The belt is one of the most prolific VMS belts and the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world. There are several recent examples of geophysical supporting of the exploration programs on the region.

At the end of last year Rockcliff Resources Inc. announced that Geotech Ltd. of Aurora, Ontario has commenced a 3,000 line kilometre airborne survey on the Company’s Snow Lake VMS Project. The ZTEM survey focused on Rockcliff’s Squall and Tramping Properties. Both properties are located approximately 6 km north and south of HudBay’s recently discovered (2007), buried Lalor Deposit where recent deep drilling intersected a new gold/copper zone grading 34.5 m of 5.33% copper and 13.35 g/t gold. The survey also covered Rockcliff’s five near surface copper-rich deposits and additional areas with VMS potential. The survey has the capability of locating conductive bodies down to depths of over a kilometer.

The purpose of the survey was to integrate Rockcliff’s existing VTEM database (13,000 line km) on the project with Geotech’s state of the art ZTEM geophysical technology. The combined surveys allows for complete geophysical coverage and locate conductors buried from near surface to depths in excess of a kilometre. All conductors identified in the survey prioritized based on their conductivity, resistivity and proximity to juvenile arc rocks.

The survey utilized Geotech’s ZTEM or Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic system, an innovative airborne EM system which uses the natural or passive audio frequency fields of the Earth as the source of transmitted energy.

Now Rockcliff Resources Inc. announces the drilling program. A minimum of 5,000 metres (m) of drilling are planned in approximately 30 holes. Drilling is planned on the Rail, Reed, Freebeth, Tramping and Squall properties. The targets include extensions of a known copper-gold rich horizon (Rail), additional testing of DPEM & BHPEM anomalies (Reed), an untested borehole anomaly (Freebeth) and untested, buried ZTEM targets (Tramping and Squall). Drilling at the Reed property will focus on a series of deep, off-hole anomalies indicative of multiple, stacked, highly conductive lenses with conductivities typical of massive sulphide mineralization. Four off-hole anomalies at vertical depths of 500 m, 750 m, 880 m and 930 m will be tested.

VMS Ventures Inc. has completed  its diamond drill testing of phase one targets, at the Tower Zone, on  its 100% held Reed 5188 and Reed 5196 claims.  The program consisted of three holes and the extension of a previous hole for a total of 1809 metres.   Diamond drill hole (TZ-08-01) was extended to assess a Borehole Pulse Electromagnetic (BHPEM) anomaly. All drill holes intersected sulphide mineralization explaining the Surface Pulse Electromagnetic (DPEM) and coincident Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) anomalies. The Super Zone has been defined on the basis of “AdTau” (see image 2), which is a calculated measurement derived from the analysis and interpretation of VTEM data. AdTau is a direct indication of rock conductivity. The metal-rich mineralization that comprises VMS-type deposits typically produces strong conductivity responses. The 550 hectare Reed Lake Super Zone is interpreted to be highly prospective for this style of deposit. The Company is building its Super Zone exploration plans based on the hypothesis that it may host a VMS camp of several deposits.

Deep-EM and Magnetic Survey Results Map

Troymet Exploration Corp.  announces the commencement of its winter program on the McClarty Lake project located near Snow Lake, Manitoba. The property lies ~45 km south of HudBay Minerals’ Chisel Lake and Lalor Lake volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits.

The establishment of a 10.6 km grid on Troymet’s 100% owned MAC 3 claim is expected to be completed this week, followed by a fixed large loop surface pulse electromagnetic (PEM) survey under contract to Crone Geophysics of Mississauga, Ontario. The grid is centred over the Mac EM conductor that was identified by the Company’s 2008 deep penetrating VTEM helicopter-borne survey and is on trend with the Discovery zone.

The Mac conductor is a high priority target that offers the potential for immediate and significant new VMS discoveries on 100% owned Troymet ground. A 2010 winter diamond drilling program (~1,500 metres) is planned to follow up on results of the PEM survey.