Candente Awarded Corporate Excellency Award for Mining Sector in Peru.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the CP picture wire via CCNMatthews.

Candente Resource Corp. (TSX:DNT) is very pleased to announce that on Friday, February 24th, 2006, Candente and its two Peruvian subsidiaries, Cia. Minera Oro Candente S.A. and Exploraciones Milenio S.A were awarded the "Fijet America Corporate Excellency 2005 Golden Trophy" having been selected as the "Best of the Year for 2005" in the mining sector by the Superior International Council of Iberian Press (Consejo Superior Internacional de Prensa). The Press Council, formed in 1997, nominates companies annually from eight to twelve business sectors who contribute significantly to the development of Spanish speaking countries.

The Superior Council recognizes the Candente group for the advancement of the Canariaco property, not just as a mining project but also for its potential to be very significant to the development of the Lambayeque Department of Peru. "We have chosen Candente for their excellent work with local communities and in protecting the environment while advancing the Canariaco copper project to a tangible reality."

In addition to the award for the Companies, both Ing. Fredy Huanqui, Vice President and Joanne Freeze, President were awarded Honorary Masters in Business Administration for their vision and leadership with the Companies. "While Huanqui is well known as an excellent geologist for his instrumental roles in the discoveries of both the Pierina and Quicay gold deposits, his dedication to Peru and Peruvians and his ability to communicate with people cannot be overestimated," stated Miguel Angel Delgado Escuza, Director International Affairs, Consejo Superior Internacional de Prensa. "Freeze is extremely committed with developing projects which will reap benefits both for the investors and for Peruvians especially those who live in the zones surrounding the projects and we are very grateful to have her working in Peru," commented Arturo Zavala G., National Representative of Micro and Small Companies for the Peruvian National Council of Competitiveness.

Candente employs over 1,100 people on a rotational basis from 20 different communities during drilling programs. In addition to employing the locals, Candente contributes to self-sustaining social needs such as medical facilities and supplies for schools. Protection of the environment starts with monitoring water in local creeks and rivers as soon as exploration starts and replacing soil and replanting trees after every drilling program. Candente also holds meetings in the surrounding towns and villages where independent professionals explain to the community about exploration and mining activities and how they can watch for contamination problems.

Candente has drilled a total of 36 holes at the Canariaco copper deposit which together with 10 previous holes show that the deposit has a surface expression of at least 90 hectares. In 2004, a Preliminary Resource calculated within a small portion of the deposit (only 14 hectares) showed 76 million tonnes of 0.614% copper (Cu), which contains just over 1 billion pounds of Cu. Drilling in 2005 has added an additional 325 M tonne Potential and show that the full size of the deposit is still unknown. An engineering scoping study is underway to assist in determining the grade and throughput options required for an economic copper heap leach, SX-EW operation at Canariaco.

About Candente Resource Corp.

Candente Resource Corp. has been working in Peru since 1997 and is a diversified copper and gold exploration company focused on increasing shareholder value through discovery. In addition to Canariaco, the Company has several gold, copper and silver projects in Peru and subscribes to principles, which ensure that its exploration and development activities are beneficial to the local communities.

About the International Superior Board of Press

The International Superior Board of Press (CONSEJO SUPERIOR INTERNACIONAL DE PRENSA) represents Iberian journalists throughout Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joanne Freeze, P. Geo., President & CEO 

Candente Resource Corp.

Release No. 155

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. Candente relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

Candente Resource Corp. (TSX:DNT)