Asia Pacific Resources Ltd.: Results of Scoping Studies.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2002

Asia Pacific Resources Ltd. (OTCBB:APQCF)(TSX:APQ)(FRANKFURT:APQ) (the "Company") announces the results of scoping studies conducted by AMEC/Ausenco and Steffen, Robertson and Kirsten (Australasia) Pty Ltd ("SRK") who evaluated development alternatives. SRK estimates that the Udon South resource totals 302 million tonnes at an average grade of 23.5% K2O (see table below). The measured and indicated resource includes about 30 million tonnes at 26.8% K2O within a high value core area averaging 7.2m in thickness. The Udon South potash resource occurs as a single horizontal sylvinite (potash) bed of consistent thickness and mining conditions.

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             Tonnes (million)     %K2O       Average Thickness (meters)
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Measured          95              24.5                  4.2
Indicated        160              23.2                  3.6
Inferred          47              22.9                  3.5
Total            302              23.5                  3.8
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Source: SRK, Udon South phase 1 study, September 2002, estimates by
Andrew J Vigar FAusIMM, Principal SRK Brisbane comply with the
requirements of the Australian JORC Code and Canadian NI43-101

The Board reviewed the development alternatives on criteria including capital requirements, financial returns, optimal production cost and efficient marketing of product. AMEC/Ausenco and SRK's review provided technical data that confirmed the project's economic viability using a phased project development starting with one million tonnes potash per annum. The Board has authorized a detailed feasibility study incorporating staged development starting at one million tonnes potash per annum and subsequently scaling up to two million tonnes per annum.

The Company's Thai legal counsel has advised that a minority group of senators have referred the amendments to the Minerals Law, recently passed by both Houses of Parliament, to the Constitution Court to confirm their constitutionality. Counsel has advised that it may take from three to six months for a court decision. The Company expects to apply for a mining lease as per schedule subject only to the resolution of the constitutional challenge.

The Company continues consultation with the local communities in the project area to both understand and address their concerns. The Company is also communicating the benefits of jobs creation, royalties and dividend payments that will flow in to both the Government and the communities.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

John Bovard, President and Chief Executive Officer

The information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbour provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on Asia Pacific Resources Ltd.'s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainty that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward looking statements.