Copper Canyon Announces Securityholder and Court Approval for Arrangement with NovaGold and Provides Tax Information

Copper Canyon Resources Ltd. ("Copper Canyon" or the "Company") (TSX
VENTURE:CPY) announces that on May 18, 2011 its securityholders voted
overwhelmingly to approve the previously announced plan of arrangement (the
"Arrangement") under which NovaGold Resources Inc. (NYSE Amex:NG)(TSX:NG)
("NovaGold") will, if the arrangement is completed, acquire all the shares of
Copper Canyon in exchange for shares of NovaGold and cash. Copper Canyon
shareholders will also receive shares of Omineca Mining and Metals Ltd. as part
of the arrangement. Details concerning the arrangement can be found in Copper
Canyon's management information circular that was mailed to shareholders on
April 15, 2011 (the "Circular").


Copper Canyon also announces that on May 19, 2011, the Court of Queen's Bench of
Alberta approved the Arrangement. The Arrangement is scheduled to close on May
20, 2011.


As described in the Circular, a deemed dividend may arise for shareholders in
connection with the Arrangement. For purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada),
Copper Canyon designates all dividends paid or deemed paid by Copper Canyon
pursuant to the Arrangement to be "eligible dividends".


About Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon Resources was created by way of a Plan of Arrangement on June 9,
2006. Shareholders of Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:EPL) approved the
plan to reorganize the company's mineral property assets in an effort to
maximize shareholder value. Under the terms of the arrangement, three of Eagle
Plain's projects: Copper Canyon, Severance and Abo (Harrison) Gold, were
transferred into Copper Canyon.


For further information please visit our website at http://www.copcanyon.com.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not
limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs,
geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral
recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and
conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such
statements.