Correcting...Western Pacific Mining Exploration Inc. wishes to report on the progress of the Solomon Islands Exploration Program.

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 1997--(ME;WPC.) Western Pacific Mining Exploration Inc. ("Wespac"), wishes to report on the progress of the Solomon Islands exploration program.

The target definition program on the Florida Islands Permit, the first of eleven permits to be explored by Wespac, is now complete.

Drilling is underway to test a shear- fracture zone with strong chloritic alteration and pyrite mineralization. The field programs are being managed by independent geological and engineering consultants, Watts Griffis and McOuat Limited ("WGM") of Toronto.

The Solomon Islands Project: Wespac has initiated a target definition and drill testing of more than 25 target areas over eleven Prospecting Permits covering an area of 4,700 square kilometers. The geological targets to be tested consist of a variety of epithermal gold, porphyry copper-gold, Kuroko-type base metals and Cyprus massive sulphide deposit environments. Wespac expects to complete the surface target definition work and drill in excess of 30,000 meters on these targets within the next year. The programs are funded and adequate field, drill and laboratory equipment and supplies are on-site to complete this phase of the project. In order to manage the program and provide logistical support this large scale project on the various islands, the base of operations for the geological, laboratory, helicopter and drilling crews has been established on a 190 foot seagoing vessel. The use of this mobile platform is the most efficient and economical way to carry out the work program.

Current Activities-Florida Islands Permit: To date two areas of interest have been outlined on the Sandfly, Hanesavo, Buenavista and Nggeia Islands which form the northernmost Islands of the Florida Island Group.

Sandfly Island: An Alteration zone was discovered by WGM geologists in the Ravu area and the first drill hole on the zone intersected a strongly fractured and brecciated zone with intense chlorite alteration and very finely disseminated pyrite mineralization over more than 150 meters. Although the first hole did not intersect economic mineralization, the full extent of this 100 by 400 metre structure and the pyrite mineralization has not been determined to date. A second drill hole (in progress) will test the pyrite/chlorite zones at a depth of 100-150 metres below surface.

The geological field crews are being mobilized to complete the target definition work on the Kolombangara Permits, which contain 4 primary and 3 secondary epithermal gold targets. Now that the project is underway, regular bi-monthly reports are expected and will be reported as received.

Western Pacific Mining Exploration Inc. is engaged in a major gold and base metals exploration program in the Solomon Islands. Its shares are listed on the Montreal Exchange (symbol WPC).

CONTACT: Western Pacific Mining Exploration Inc., Montreal

Richard Diotte, 418/527-3362 (Quebec)

416/865-9790 (Ontario) (FAX)