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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Nov. 21, 2011) – Bonaparte Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BON) (“Bonaparte”) is pleased to announce assay results from the first of six diamond drill holes completed during the 2011 exploration program at the Hopper property, located in southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada. Diamond drilling focused on skarn mineralization developed within shallowly dipping carbonaceous sedimentary rocks peripheral to a granitic intrusion that hosts porphyry-style showings. DDH-11-01 intersected stacked skarn horizons with the most significant intercept returning 3.35 g/t gold over 7.50 m, within a broader mineralized zone that averaged 1.76 g/t gold over 16.93 m. Assay results from the other 5 holes that tested this and other skarn horizons are pending.
DDH-11-01 also returned significant copper and silver results as shown in the table below.
| Drill Hole | From | To | Interval | Gold | Copper | Silver | |
| ID | (m) | (m) | (m)* | (g/t) | (%) | (g/t) | |
| DDH-11-01 | 2.95 | 16.65 | 13.70 | 0.25 | 0.41 | 3.84 | |
| Including | 9.69 | 12.02 | 2.33 | 0.87 | 1.24 | 12.95 | |
| 125.67 | 142.60 | 16.93 | 1.76 | 0.22 | 1.75 | ||
| Including | 125.67 | 133.17 | 7.50 | 3.35 | 0.43 | 3.55 | |
| Including | 125.67 | 127.67 | 2.00 | 9.44 | 0.01 | 1.04 | |
| *Interval represents the downhole intersection length and true widths are estimated to be approximately 80-90% of the interval. |
A plan map and cross-section showing significant assay results from DDH-11-01 and historical drill holes can be found on Bonaparte’s website (www.bonaparteresources.ca). Drill holes intercepted numerous weakly mineralized skarn horizons outside of the reported intervals.
The Hopper property covers an area of 75 km2. It hosts both skarn- and porphyry-style copper-gold-silver targets. Skarn mineralization dominantly consists of disseminated to semi-massive magnetite and chalcopyrite found in stacked limestone horizons, which are locally overlain by silicified limestone. The mineralized horizons are marked by strong VTEM conductors. Porphyry mineralization that was exposed in historical excavator trenches in the central part of the property was the main target of reverse circulation percussion drilling conducted by Bonaparte in 2011. A total of 1,300 m of diamond drilling (6 holes) and 1,730 m (58 holes) of reverse circulation percussion drilling was completed on the Hopper property in 2011. Assay results for all remaining diamond drill and percussion holes are pending and will be released after receipt, verification and interpretation.
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).
Based on these initial positive diamond drill results, Bonaparte and Strategic have increased the size of the Hopper property to total 366 claims and have staked additional claims nearby. They have initiated a 2000 line km VTEM survey to explore for additional targets on these properties.
Drill core samples from the Hopper property were processed in 36 sample batches with each batch including two standard and two blank samples. Analytical work was done by ALS Chemex with sample preparation in Whitehorse and assays and geochemical analyses in North Vancouver. All rock samples were initially analyzed for gold by fire assay followed by atomic absorption (Au-AA24) and 35 other elements by aqua regia digestion and mass spectromerty (ME-MS41). All samples passed QAQC reviews.
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
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.
