Bonaparte Identifies Porphyry-Style Copper Mineralization at Hopper Property, Yukon

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2011) - Bonaparte Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BON) ("Bonaparte") is pleased to announce assay results from a program of widely-spaced reverse circulation percussion drill holes, which was completed during summer 2011 at its Hopper property in southwestern Yukon Territory. Highlights are shown below.

- Six holes bottomed in significant mineralization, including;

-- PDH-39, which returned 0.70% copper over the last 10.67 metres;

-- PDH-13, which assayed 0.54% copper and 0.278 g/t gold over the last 3.05 metres.

The program explored for porphyry-style mineralization hosted within a granitic intrusion located in the central part of the property. Surface showings were discovered in this area by previous operators through bulldozer trenching, but they were never drill tested. A composite chip sample collected in one of these trenches by Mitsubishi Metal Corporation in 1968 reportedly averaged 0.52% copper over 45.72 m. The mineralization consists of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite occurring as disseminations or within quartz-filled fractures that cut the host intrusion.

A total of 1730 m were drilled in 58 reverse circulation percussion drill holes mostly spaced 200 m apart. These holes typically tested to depths between 30 to 61 m below surface. Data for the most significant intervals are shown on the table below.

                  From     To    Interval   Copper   Gold    Silver
Drill Hole ID      (m)     (m)      (m)*      (%)    (g/t)    (g/t)
HOP-PDH-11-13 	33.53 	EOH 	3.05 	0.54 	0.278 	3.85
HOP-PDH-11-17 	21.34 	EOH 	16.76 	0.16 	0.009 	1.27
HOP-PDH-11-19 	19.81 	28.96 	9.15 	0.36 	0.007 	2.32
HOP-PDH-11-39 	0 	EOH 	39.62 	0.24 	0.055 	1.37
	Including 	28.96 	EOH 	10.66 	0.70 	0.195 	4.10

* Interval represents the downhole intersection length and true widths are unknown at this time.


EOH - End of hole

The intrusion that hosts porphyry style mineralization has recently been dated to be late Cretaceous age (between 76.0 ±1.1 and 83.7±1.9 million years old). This is the same age as the Patton porphyry which is the mineralizing pluton at Western Copper and Gold Corporation's Casino deposit located approximately 190 km to the northwest.

Additionally, soil geochemical sampling done in 2011 expanded the known copper-gold soil anomalies around the area of drilling and identified new targets elsewhere on the property. The largest soil anomaly features a number of strongly elevated copper (200 to 2,550 ppm) and gold (20 to 244 ppb) from an arcuate band approximately 3000 m long and 50 to 500 m wide. Only a small part of this anomaly has been tested by trenching or drilling. A separate anomaly located downhill to the west contains anomalous copper (200 to 2,730 ppm) and gold (20 to 53 ppb) within a 900 m by 200 m area. This anomaly has not been tested by drilling or trenching. A plan map showing drill hole locations and soil geochemical results can be found on Bonaparte's website (www.bonaparteresources.ca).

The Hopper property covers an area of 75 km2. It hosts both skarn- and porphyry-style copper-gold-silver targets. Skarn mineralization dominantly comprises disseminated to semi-massive magnetite and chalcopyrite hosted in stacked limestone horizons, which are locally overlain by silicified limestone. The mineralized horizons are marked by strong VTEM conductors. The first of six diamond drill holes that tested the skarn mineralization returned an intercept of 0.43% copper and 3.35 g/t gold over 7.5 m (see November 21, 2011 news release). Results from the remaining five diamond drill holes will be released once all batches have passed QAQC protocol.

The Hopper property is located in the Whitehorse Mining District, Yukon Territory. It is directly accessible via a two-wheel drive road from the Alaska Highway and is located 15 km north of the Aishihik Hydroelectric Dam. Bonaparte may acquire up to 100% interest in the Hopper property subject to a 2% NSR royalty from Strategic Metals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:SMD).

Analytical work was done by ALS Chemex with sample preparation in Whitehorse and assays and geochemical analyses in North Vancouver. All percussion samples were initially analyzed for gold by fire assay followed by atomic absorption (Au-AA24) and 35 other elements by inductively coupled plasma and atomic emission spectrometry (ME-ICP41). No standard or blank samples were inserted into the sample sequences.

The 2011 program was conducted by Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Heather Smith, B.Sc., P.Geo., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Randy Saunders
CEO and Director



For further information, please visit Bonaparte's website at www.bonaparteresources.ca.

Neither 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.



Contact

Bonaparte Resources Inc.
Randy Saunders, CEO and Director
(604) 484-8750
(604) 599-0222 (FAX)
info@bonaparteresources.ca
www.bonaparteresources.ca