Southern Arc Minerals Inc. (TSX Venture: SA) announces the completion of a preliminary scout diamond drilling program at its J3 Prospect located on Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. The J3 Prospect is situated in the southeastern corner of SA's Taliwang property, approximately 12 km north of Newmont's Batu Hijau porphyry Cu-Au mine. 

Previous surface mapping and sampling results, along with other relevant information have been detailed in earlier SA news releases NR 07-02 (February 07, 2007), NR 07-09 (April 19, 2007) and NR 07-11 (May 03, 2007) respectively. 

A total of seven holes totaling 413.6 m were drilled at inclinations of -45º to -75º, to a maximum depth of 79.40 metres. The holes were targeted to test subsurface extensions of known surface Au-Ag jasperoid mineralization. 

All but one drill hole intersected a shallow, westward-dipping jasperoid layer of variable thickness (intercepts of 0.2 to 5.55 m), hosted by a volcano-sedimentary sequence of andesitic tuff, lavas, fossiliferous limestones and marls. No definitive sub-vertical structural feeder zones were identified.

Final assay results have been received from the independent ITS laboratory in Jakarta. Aside from an intersection in drill hole J3DH-01 of 2.0 m at 1.93 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag from 7.2 to 9.2 m, no other significant Au-Ag intersections were reported.

Whilst a number of coincident surface geochemical and geophysical targets at the J3 Prospect remain untested, SA will now focus its immediate attention on negotiating the Contract of Work for its Taliwang property. These negotiations with a joint government team are expected to commence later this month.

Southern Arc also announces that drilling is continuing on its Selodong copper-gold porphyry project on the island of Lombok. Drill hole MB003, is nearing completion on the Montong Botek Porphyry Stock (MBPS). Following the completion of MB003, the drill will be moved to the Blongas II porphyry stock which is located ~600 metres immediately to the north of MBPS. Assay results for MB003 are anticipated within the next 14 days. 

On behalf of the Board of
Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

"John Proust"
President and CEO

Southern Arc Minerals Inc.
Suite 1500, Box 1078, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8 Canada

Telephone: (604) 676-5241 Fax: (604) 676-5246 
Website: www.southernarcminerals.com

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