BacTech Obtains Manitoba Government's Permission for Test Work on New Britannia Arsenopyrite Concentrate Stockpile

BacTech Mining Corporation ("BacTech" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:BM) today
announced that it has been given permission to conduct a bioleach study on the
arsenopyrite concentrate stockpile located at former producer New Britannia Mine
at Snow Lake, Manitoba.


The government of Manitoba, owner of the stockpile and the party responsible for
the environmental liability, granted BacTech access to the stockpile to collect
drill samples from the estimated 300,000 tonnes of concentrate contained there.
Historical data, provided by Dr. Barbara Sherriff of the University of Manitoba,
states the concentrate grades approximately .32 oz/t, providing approximately
100,000 oz of gold in place. 


The concentrate, produced by flotation at the mill located onsite in the 1950's,
was stockpiled due to its high level of arsenic. Over a number of years, the
arsenic has become mobilized and is leaching into the local water supplies and
soil. The presence of the arsenic and the potential to recover the associated
gold through bioleaching led BacTech to this project. The advantage of BacTech's
patented bioleaching technology is its ability to capture certain precious and
base metals, as well as treat and neutralize arsenic from concentrates. The
release of arsenic and its subsequent bonding with iron during the bioleaching
process, produces an end product of stable ferric arsenate that is classified as
benign by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency.


Dr. Sherriff has informed BacTech that she has non-oxidized drill core samples
from the site generated from a previous study she conducted on the project.
These samples were frozen and can be used by BacTech for bioleach test work in
lieu of disturbing the site to obtain samples. 


BacTech will undertake assay work on the concentrates provided by Dr. Sherriff.
The bioleach work should begin within one month, with initial results expected
by July. Should the test work prove positive, it would be BacTech's intention to
seek permission and the necessary approvals to process the stockpile material,
which would involve building a bioleach plant in the vicinity to reprocess the
arsenopyrite concentrate, stabilize the arsenic and recover a high percentage of
the contained gold. The process will extract the gold and produce a stable
residue in a manner which is economic, efficient, effective, and would result in
a financial saving to the government of Manitoba. BacTech is committed to
working with all parties associated with the potential reclamation of the Snow
Lake site.


Given the fact that the stockpile has already been concentrated, the capital
cost associated with building a bioleach plant could be significantly reduced.
In addition, Manitoba's low energy prices would provide for a beneficial
reduction in operating costs, as power can consume as much as 40% of the
operating costs for bioleaching.


BACTECH PROFILE

In January, the Company announced its intention to effect a divisive
reorganization whereby BacTech will separate its technology into two separate
companies, being a mining company and a cleantech company. The common shares of
a subsidiary will be distributed to the shareholders of BacTech upon completion
of the reorganization. Completion of the proposed reorganization is subject to
receipt of all required consents and approvals, including without limitation,
court approval, shareholder approval, and TSX Venture Exchange approval. A
special meeting of shareholders is required to approve the reorganization. 


BacTech owns patented bacterial oxidation technology for the treatment of
refractory ores and concentrates to enhance the recovery of gold, silver and
base metals. The Company's initial focus is the acquisition of equity positions
in projects amenable to bioleaching.


Shares outstanding 89,264,706