2003 News

Release No. 69

Candente Resource Corp. (DNT:TSX-Ven) is pleased to announce that four of eight diamond drill holes intersected favourable mineralization on the Island Pond Property, located within the Botwood Basin of Central Newfoundland, which is under option from Cornerstone Resources Inc. (Cornerstone).

The style of mineralization and geochemical signature intersected is understood to be similar to that found on the adjacent Moosehead Property where it commonly occurs close to or within 25-30 metres (m) of high-grade gold intercepts. Mineralization intersected is consistent with a low sulfidation epithermal environment and consists of multiple quartz and/or quartz-carbonate vein events associated with large northwest-trending structures.

This early stage drilling program totaled 809m in 8 holes and was designed to test for mineralization within structures identified through ground magnetics and VLF surveys with soil geochemical support. Significant results of 0.215 gpt gold over 7.6m, 0.81 gpt over 10cm; 0.27 gpt over 1m and 0.34 gpt over 1.15m were obtained. The associated veining and alteration zones are 1.39m to 7.60m wide. Anomalous levels of arsenic (5081 ppm) and antimony (45 ppm) are associated with the anomalous gold values.

Given the early stage of the exploration drilling, these results are very encouraging and warrant further exploration. The mineralization occurs within a package of altered sedimentary and volcanic rocks and related dykes. Future drilling will target a number of previously delineated geochemical and geophysical targets as well as test areas for higher-grades zones proximal to and on strike with the recently intersected mineralization.

All core samples were split using a diamond core saw and half of the whole core sent to Eastern Analytical Limited in Springdale, Newfoundland for prep and analysis for gold by fire assay. All pulps were then sent to Acme Labs for gold check assays and ICP analysis including mercury. Thin section and mineralogical studies were performed by Petrascience Consultants Inc. and Lang Geoscience Inc. The qualified person responsible for the design and conduct of the work performed is Timothy Froude, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration for Cornerstone. Drilling services were provided by New Valley Drilling of Springdale Newfoundland.

Under the Option Agreement Candente can earn up to a 75% interest in the property from Cornerstone. Cornerstone will operate the exploration programs until Candente earns an initial 51% interest; however, highly experienced explorationists on the management teams of both companies will plan and guide all exploration.

Candente and Cornerstone gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from the Department of Mines & Energy, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, under the Junior Company Exploration Assistance Program (JCEAP) for the 2002 Island Pond drilling program.

Candente is a junior exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of world-class gold and copper projects. For more information on our current exploration progress visit www.candente.com and/or call us at (604) 689-1957, toll free 1-877-689-1964 or e-mail to investor@candente.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Joanne C. Freeze"
Joanne Freeze, P. Geo., President & CEO
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements