Cumbral-San Bartolo Exploration Update

• Phase One Complete: Prospective Area Expanded
• New Target Identified: Bulk-tonnage Style IP Signature

WMR-TSX.V
WMRSF-OTCQX

VANCOUVER, Oct. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Westminster Resources Ltd. ("WMR" or "the Company") has successfully completed its 2012 Phase One $1,600,000 exploration program at the Cumbral-San Bartolo property. Located in Sonora, Mexico, work included a 3D-Induced Polarization (IP) and ground magnetic geophysical survey covering 219 line kilometers of survey grid, over 5,000 soil geochemical samples, rock prospecting-geological mapping (over 700 samples) and a diamond drill program of seven holes (total 1,641 meters) on the Cumbral trend. The exploration program was funded by Capstone Mining Corp. in accordance with a $9,300,000 agreement that was announced in April 2012 (WMR 12-02, April 17l, 2012).

Exploration Highlights

• Cumbral trend drilling intersects IOCG alteration and mineralization containing Cu+Ag+Au grades in the oxide zone.
  
  
• Rock sampling program across the grid identifies widespread visible copper at surface and discovers 8 new targets across the 9 Km X 9 Km area.
  
  
• A greater than 1 Km X 1Km 3D-IP high chargeability anomaly, the Montoso target, is interpreted as a classic porphyry-style deposit environment.
  
  
• Multi-element soil geochemical anomalies across the grid coincide with extensive alteration and mineralized zones.
  
  
• Phase Two exploration planning near completion (to include 5,400 meters of drilling).

The large project area (9 Km X 9 Km) has been divided into A, B, C and D grid blocks. See website for maps at http://www.westminsterres.com/investor/drill_gallery/index.php The initial discovery of IOCG-style alteration and mineralization is located in the northern A Block where a series of chargeability ± resistivity ± magnetic high responses were identified as the Cumbral trend during 2D-IP and MAG geophysical surveying in November 2011. These geophysical targets as well as intense potassic + silica + iron oxide and often copper oxide-rich veins and brecciated subcrops (IOCG) were tested by preliminary drilling with results presented in Table A.

Since discovery in 2011 of the Block A Cumbral trend and WMR's earlier exploration at the San Bartolo trend in Block D (9 kilometers to the south) a detailed, systematic exploration program has been undertaken across all four grid blocks with 219 line-kilometers of survey grid established a connection between the Cumbral trend and San Bartolo trend. Distributed across all four grid blocks, there are 143 samples (or about 20% of the 704 rock chip and grab samples) which contain visual evidence of copper mineralization by the presence of malachite, azurite, or chrysocolla. Most mineralized subcrops and outcrops, however, showed evidence of strong oxidation and leaching of sulphides with extensive iron oxide and siliceous alteration. The project's extensive hydrothermal systems display variable styles of mineralization and grades depending upon the extent of oxidation and leaching, and are characteristic of both IOCGs and porphyry systems.

In the discovery area, Block A, Cumbral North surface targets have grab samples with grades as high as 1.21% copper, multi-grams of silver (highest 31.0 g/t) and gold to 589 ppb with generally low lead and zinc. Surface mineralization in the main Cumbral trend exposures have grades similar to the oxide zones encountered in the first drill holes (see Table A).

In Block B the "Lost Cumbral Mine" and its strike extension some 400 meters south have been identified as a series of collapsed workings and pits of unknown age and origin. The highest grade sample assayed 412 g/t silver, 1,104 ppb gold with 0.1% lead and very high bismuth. The south extension grab sample from diggings graded 0.5% copper, 7.6 g/t silver and 3,790 ppb gold. The "Lost Cumbral Mine" and the San Bartolo trend of old workings are only two of the numerous unnamed historic pits and workings being discovered across the grid area.

In the central Block C grid several new mineralized targets were discovered, commonly with strike lengths of several hundreds of meters traceable on surface as outcropping zones of iron-quartz-rich breccias, veins and stockworks. The Bee Showing has elevated Mo and Zn with minor copper and silver grades to 11.59 g/t and gold to 2,443 ppb. At Weakele Road Pit grab samples graded up to 1.27% copper, 197 g/t silver, 1,509 ppb gold with 0.1% lead and 0.2% zinc. Further to the east in Block C, the Two Glens and Two Ronnies mineralized trends are characterized by highly anomalous Mo+As+Hg+Sb and up to 5.9% lead, 0.3% zinc with silver grading 214 g/t and gold 2,880 ppb. These showings appear to be related to a series of NW-SE trending resistivity highs and lows as modeled in the 3D-IP survey covering the area. The highest grade rock sample collected to date is located in Block C (0.97% Cu, 26.2 g/t Ag, 26.39 g/t Au).

The west-central portion of the Block D grid area is dominated by a large 3D-IP high chargeability anomaly named the Montoso target. It is partially overburden covered but where manifested at surface it is characterized by intense destructive white clay alteration and iron oxide staining and granitoid intrusives. To the north and on the Montoso's eastern periphery several occurrences of silver-bearing veins and malachite float samples have been located. The highest grade vein-float located in an area of intense red soil assayed 0.5% copper, 0.89% lead, 0.52% zinc, 2,000 ppm molybdenum and 75.87 g/t silver and 1,716 ppb gold. In eastern Block D the San Bartolo silver trend occurs adjacent to the high chargeability Montoso target. Westminster previously identified in 2011 at San Bartolo a 1.4 kilometer strike that is characterized by multi-gram silver intercepts in numerous intervals in 16 shallow drill holes (see WMR11-10, October 4, 2011). This drill program completed prior to the 3D-IP survey focused on extensive areas of silver geochemical soil anomalies associated with numerous historic pits and diggings and before discovery of the new Montoso target now interpreted as the main center of a porphyry system.

The Montoso target in Block D was interpreted from analysis of the 3D-IP geophysical survey (inversion modeling) to be an area with coincident low resistivity and high chargeability ranging from 35ms to over 65ms. Similar to other known porphyry deposit styles of chargeability response, the Montoso anomaly has been modeled in 3D to identify potentially mineralized zones. Plan views and sections of the inverted chargeability indicate that at 200 meters depth the 35ms target is over one kilometer long by one kilometer wide with its dimensions increasing at depths of over 400 meters. Plots and maps of the Montoso target geophysical response are available on our website at http://www.westminsterres.com/investor/geo_gallery/index.php The impressive areal extent of the Montoso chargeability target when projected to surface is surrounded by ring-like patterns of anomalous soil geochemical contents for the elements Mo, Ag, Au and Cu similar to known copper districts where silver vein mineralization is often found up to several kilometers from the core area of the main porphyry. The setting of the extensive silver in soil anomaly related to the San Bartolo silver vein systems may represent such an adjacent setting at Montoso.

The ground magnetic geophysical survey data for the four Blocks is currently being processed using inversion modelling and then will be incorporated into the IP chargeability and resistivity Montoso models. Previous Heli-MAG surveying and preliminary ground magnetic plots do show typical porphyry deposit-style high and low magnetic patterns within the area of the Montoso IP target further suggesting that a mineralized system covering several square kilometers may be present.

Drilling results from significant samples from all seven Cumbral trend drill holes are presented in Table A. Chargeability targets of 8ms or greater were targeted in holes 1B, 1D, 3A and 4A with all holes intersecting granodiorite, quartz-feldspar pink granite or fine to medium grained dark diorite. Holes 1D and 1B showed variable potassic and epidote alteration accompanied by iron oxide veinlets. Holes 3A and 4A located 800 and 1,200 meters from Target One displayed iron carbonate and epidote alteration. All holes contained minor pyrite sulphides at depth below the oxide zone. Magnetic response in the area appears to be associated with the diorite intrusive phase. Holes 5, 6 and 7 targeted IOCG alteration and copper oxide silver-gold mineralization adjacent to chargeability Target One. Iron-oxide-copper malachite veins and breccia similar to float seen at surface were intersected in these holes in close proximity to the pink granite unit and in potassic altered granodiorite in holes 5 and 7. Hole 6 intersected dark diorite and a vertical quartz vein. At 159.7 meters depth a diorite hosted one meter interval graded 0.25% copper as unleached chalcopyrite stringers were present (Table A). Location maps and 3D inversion IP models of drill holes are available on our website at http://www.westminsterres.com/investor/geo_gallery/index.php

All rock and core samples were submitted for preparation and analysis at Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd., Vancouver with QA-QC and sampling protocol fully described in Press Release WMR 12-06, August 14, 2012. True intercept thickness estimates are unknown at this time.

Glen Indra President of the Company stated: "Our exploration success at the Cumbral-San Bartolo project definitely suggests the presence of district-scale mineralization and, with the discovery of the Montoso target, our exploration activities will have a refined focus at this apparent porphyry system. In summary, extensive early stage exploration over most of the 9 Km X 9 Km property, has advanced the Project to where a major portion of the Phase Two program will be dedicated to drilling. The Phase Two $1,700,000 Program planning is substantially complete and management is eager to implement an early start up."

Table A CUMBRAL-SAN BARTOLO RESULTS
Hole No.	Interval (m) from		Interval (m) to		Intercept Lengt (m)		Cu ppm (%)		Ag ppb (g/t)		Au ppb**	Azimuth	Dip		EOH* (m)
GEOPHYSICAL TARGETS
CUM-1B-12	209.00		210.00		1.0		517.2		2460 (2.46 g/t)			180º	- 75º	323.7
CUM-1D-12	72.90		83.20		10.3				2941 (2.94 g/t)			227º	- 75º	284.7
	76.90		83.20		6.3				4573 (4.57 g/t)
Including	79.80		80.60		1.7				10175 (10.17 g/t)
	218.70		220.70		2.0				1493 (1.49 g/t)
	240.70		241.70		1.0				3196 (3.19 g/t)
CUM-3A-12	64.00		68.00		4.0		483.9		434			100º	- 66º		215.5
	197.00		199.00		2.0				2542 (2.54 g/t)
Including	197.00		198.00		1.0				3382 (3.38 g/t)
CUM-4A-12	78.70		79.20		0.5				89		199.4	90º	- 90º		338.6
	226.40		227.60		1.2		475.94		1063 (1.06 g/t)		56.9
SUBCROP TARGETS
CUM-5-12	21.00	26.70		5.7		1040.0 (0.1%)		841 (0.84 g/t)				10º	- 45º	147.0
Including	22.00	22.50		0.5		2221.0 (0.22%)		841 (0.84 g/t)
Including	25.70	26.70		1.0		2198.0 (0.21%)		2247 (2.24 g/t)
	29.70	39.60		9.9		1832.0 (0.18%)		1212 (1.21 g/t)
Including	33.00	34.00		1.0		7396.0 (0.73%)		4498 (4.49 g/t)		64.2
Including	37.00	38.00		1.0		2748.0 (0.27%)		495
	74.65	75.65		1.0		1255.0 (0.12%)		2804 (2.8 g/t)		108.5
	97.30	98.00		0.7				537		473.2
	104.00	106.90		2.9		1027.0 (0.1%)		3340 (3.34 g/t)
	110.00	115.00		5.0		3631.0 (0.36%)		2566 (2.56 g/t)		52.0
Including	111.70	112.70		1.0		3617.0 (0.36%)		2935 (2.93 g/t)
Including	114.20	115.00		0.8		16020.0 (1.60%)		10866 (10.86 g/t)		239.7

Hole No.	Interval (m) from		Interval (m) to		Intercept Length (m)		Cu ppm (%)		Ag ppb (g/t)			Au ppb**		Azimuth		Dip		EOH* (m)
CUM-6-12	21.2		22.8		1.6				1673 (1.67 g/t)			114.05		180º		- 60º		182.6
	91.0		91.3		0.3		1798.0 (0.17%)		6880 (6.88 g/t)			85.8
	159.7		160.7		1.0		2510.0 (0.25%)		2411 (2.41 g/t)
SUBCROP TARGETS Continued
CUM-7-12	21.0		25.0		4.0		4475.0 (0.44%)		3074 (3.07 g/t)					320º		- 50º		149.5
Including	23.0		24.0		1.0		5328.0 (0.53%)		5620 (5.62 g/t)
Including	24.0		25.0		1.0		13410.0 (1.34%)		2982 (2.98 g/t)	99.4
	36.4		40.0		3.6		1538.0 (0.15%)		1126 (1.12 g/t)
Including	36.4		37.0		0.6		5399.0 (0.53%)		3881 (3.88 g/t)	73.1
	55.0		56.0		1.0		2270.0 (0.22%)		2222 (2.22 g/t)

*End of Hole

** Only significant gold, silver and copper contents are reported in this table such as copper greater than 400 ppm as it may have been leached in the oxide zone depths of this drilling and no gold less than 50 ppb is reported.

Westminster and Capstone Mining Corp. are continuing to explore the Cumbral-San Bartolo property whereby Capstone has the right under an Option Agreement to earn a 70% interest by funding a minimum of $9.3 million CDN in exploration by December 31, 2015 (WMR 12-02, April 17, 2012).

All technical content in the foregoing disclosure has been verified and approved by Glen C. Macdonald, P.Geo. (a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Macdonald is a director of Westminster Resources Ltd. and has visited the project.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WESTMINSTER RESOURCES LTD.

"Glen J. Indra"

_____________________________________

About Westminster:

Managed by an experienced exploration team the Company is focused on exploring and developing prospects on its 28,644 hectare El Cobre and 13,398 hectare Navojoa properties in Sonora, Mexico. The El Cobre property contains among other prospects, the 100% owned Guayacan prospect and the 8,000 hectare Cumbral-San Bartolo option project with Capstone Mining Corp. On the Navojoa property the Company is exploring gold-silver-copper targets.

This news release may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release  are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 

 

SOURCE: Westminster Resources Ltd.

For further information regarding Westminster Resources Ltd., please contact Leif Smither or Fulvio Scrigner at 604-608-0400, Toll Free: 1-877-608-0007 or visit our website at www.westminsterres.com

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