Copperstone Air Photo showing Target Zones & Development
October 22, 2008 Southwest Gold Zone Expands At Copperstone
October 22, 2008 - American Bonanza Gold Corp. TSX: (BZA) ("Bonanza") drilled additional high gold grades during the current exploration program in the Southwest gold zone at the 100% owned Copperstone Project in Arizona. The Southwest gold zone could contain enough high grade gold to enhance the economics of mining the main high grade gold resources at Copperstone, and is located about 1,000 meters southwest of the open pit, underground mine workings, and the current resources.
The new Southwest gold zone drill hole assay results are:
3.0 meters grading 10.5 grams per tonne gold in drill hole 08CS-45
includes 1.5 meters grading 17.2 grams per tonne gold
9.1 meters grading 5.4 grams per tonne gold also in drill hole 08CS-45
includes 1.5 meters grading 14.3 grams per tonne gold
0.9 meters grading 17.3 grams per tonne gold also in drill hole 08CS-45
includes 0.6 meters grading 23.8 grams per tonne gold
4.6 meters grading 2.1 grams per tonne gold in drill hole 08CS-46
includes 1.5 meters grading 3.8 grams per tonne gold
4.6 meters grading 3.9 grams per tonne gold in drill hole 08CS-47
The two previously announced drill results from holes to the northwest and southeast of 08CS-45 are:
5.2 meters grading 18.3 grams per tonne gold in drill hole 07CS-30
4.6 meters grading 12.3 grams per tonne gold in drill hole 07CS-31
Drill hole 08CS-45 contains three gold zones and was drilled between the two best previous drill holes in the Southwest zone, holes 07CS-30 and 07CS-31, located to the northwest and southeast of 08CS-45, along strike, suggesting strike continuity of this high grade mineralized zone. The Southwest zone is now identified by six drill holes with significant gold intercepts, has a known strike length of at least 250 feet, and is open along strike to the north, and along its entire length to the east and west, up and down dip.
Drill hole 08CS-45 represents early assay results from the Company's Phase 3 exploration drilling campaign, which has been ongoing during the summer, and additional assay results are expected soon. Follow up drilling is being planned for the Southwest gold zone. A map showing the Phase II drill results can be found on the Company's website at:
Bonanza's economic studies examining the potential for placing Copperstone into production continue, and additional news regarding progress is expected soon. Bonanza remains confident in continuing rising gold prices in the current economic environment, and believes that at current and rising gold prices Copperstone could be a profitable mine. Achieving production at Copperstone remains Bonanza's highest priority.
About Bonanza
Bonanza acquires, explores and develops high-grade gold properties in the United States and Canada. Bonanza is advancing the development-stage Copperstone gold project in Arizona and the Northway gold project in Quebec. Bonanza is well financed with no long-term debt and no gold hedges.
For additional information about Bonanza please visit our website at www.americanbonanza.com
AMERICAN BONANZA GOLD CORP.
(signed) Brian Kirwin
President & Chief Executive Officer
