Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. has completed the 2009 exploration programs on four properties located in the Yukon’s Southern Klondike region. The Pacific Ridge program has successfully outlined the presence of Underworld Resources Inc.’s White Gold property-style mineralization as indicated by anomalous geochemical signatures on the Goldcap, Polar-Stewart and Mariposa properties. The Goldcap and Polar-Stewart properties are adjacent to the northeast boundaries of Underworld’s White Gold discovery claims. Geochemical anomalies on the Eureka property, located in the northeast region of the Klondike region, indicate an epithermal-style alteration system with anomalous gold values.

Geochemical soil sampling has been the primary exploration tool for the recent discovery of gold mineralization in the South Klondike-Underworld camp.

Gold Cap and Polar-Stewart properties

Pacific Ridge established a two-kilometre-by-four-kilometre soil sampling grid within the source area of an historic, highly anomalous gold-in-silt anomaly. This season’s work has defined three sub-parallel, northerly trending, arsenic-antimony-nickel-gold soil anomalies measuring two to four km in length and open for expansion to the north. The linear nature of the anomalous soils suggests the presence of structurally controlled mineralization. Geochemical values for arsenic range from 20 to 200 parts per million, nickel from 75 to 1,200 ppm, antimony from one to four ppm and gold from 12 to 290 parts per billion.

The geochemical anomalies are within one to two km of Underworld’s eastern claims boundary and appear to be building in intensity toward the northern limits of the presently established soil sampling grid. Early next season, additional soil sampling will be required within a proposed three-kilometre, northerly extension to the existing grid.

Mariposa property

Located approximately 50 km east of and within a similar geological setting to the White Gold discovery, the Mariposa property was acquired by Pacific Ridge as previously reported in Stockwatch on Sept. 23, 2009.

Although late-season field work was terminated by winter conditions, Pacific Ridge completed a reconnaissance soil geochemical program on the Mariposa property that confirmed the presence of an open-ended, two-kilometre-long gold soil anomaly overlying an altered schist host unit and nearby intrusive rocks. All geochemical and geological data are being compiled.

Results to date confirm trends of the previously established gold exploration targets along with opportunity for expansion.

Eureka property

Located approximately 55 km north of White Gold and immediately adjacent to the east of claims owned by Strategic Metals Ltd., the company performed preliminary exploration work at Eureka this past season.

Initial, property-wide rock sampling at Eureka has identified an area measuring approximately one by two km of alteration, along with an epithermal gold signature comprising anomalous values for arsenic, mercury, barium, antimony and gold. Results warrant establishment of a geochemical soil grid to better define the potential source area of gold mineralization.

Pacific Ridge’s 2009 exploration programs have been successful in defining the presence of gold targets on its Klondike Kate properties. Expanded geochemical surveys are now warranted, followed by mechanical trenching to define in-rock gold values prior to drilling campaigns proposed for 2010. Final exploration data compilation is still in progress and will be presented for viewing in January, on the company’s website.

Pacific Ridge’s disclosure of a technical or scientific nature has been reviewed by Wayne J. Roberts, PGeo, vice-president of exploration and a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.