Ecuador Gold to Undertake Additional Metallurgical Testwork and Mining Optimization for Santa Barbara Preliminary Economic As...

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE
UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A
VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.


Ecuador Gold & Copper Corp. (TSX VENTURE:EGX) (the "Company" or "EGX") announces
that the Company's Consulting Engineers, GBM Minerals Engineering Limited
("GBM") who are currently undertaking a 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment
Technical Report ("PEA") on the Company's flagship Santa Barbara Project, have
recommended that additional metallurgical test work be undertaken to establish a
metallurgical flow sheet that will produce a saleable copper concentrate and
further optimization of the mine plan based on this metallurgical test work. 


The Company expects that this additional metallurgical test work and mine
optimization will enhance the overall economic viability of the Santa Barbara
Project.


Preliminary Metallurgical Test work and Recoveries to Date

Metallurgical test work to date using 'whole ore' cyanide leaching and a two
stage flotation process has resulted in an 86% recovery of gold and a 64%
recovery of copper. 


Further Metallurgical Test Work

GBM have recommended that additional metallurgical test work and flow sheet
optimization which incorporates alternative flotation reagents, fine grinding,
and possibly a hydrometallurgical process be undertaken that could result in a
copper concentrate and gold dore being produced at the mine site. 


Mine Optimization

GBM have further recommended that based on the anticipated improved recoveries
and the production of an upgraded copper concentrate, that the mine plan and
processing rate be optimized to establish a lower capital cost alternative,
which will improve the overall economic return and viability of the Santa
Barbara Project.


Enhanced Economics and Viability

The Company aims to achieve the maximum extraction of all metals from its
mineral resources through optimized metallurgical recoveries into saleable
products that are produced from the most optimal mine plan from this mineral
resource. The Company expects that this additional metallurgical test work and
mine throughput optimization will enhance the overall economic viability of the
Santa Barbara Project. 


Qualified Person

Mit Tilkov, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration of Ecuador Gold and Copper Corp.
is a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"),
and is responsible for the preparation of the technical information in this news
release.


Cautionary Note

The Company has not completed a preliminary economic assessment or feasibility
study of the Condor Gold and Copper Project under NI 43-101, and there is no
assurance that the exploration and subsequent development operations of the
Condor Gold and Copper Project will be economically or technically viable.


Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
CHF Investor Relations
Jeanny So
[phone]
[e-mail]


Ecuador Gold & Copper Corp.
Glenn Laing
President and CEO
[phone]
[e-mail]