Kootenay Gold Inc. - Surface samples grading 37.5 g/t gold & 769.0 g/t silver
indicate the potential for a bonanza grade system at the Santa Lucia Gold
Property in Sonora, Mexico

VANCOUVER, May 20 /CNW/ - Kootenay Gold Inc. (TSX-V: KTN) and Arctic Hunter Uranium Inc. (CNSX: AHU) are pleased to announce the results of a surface grab sampling program from the Santa Lucia Gold and Silver project in Sonora, Mexico. A significant number of high grade samples were obtained along a 300 meter length at the Santa Lucia Gold & Silver project indicating the potential for a large bonanza grade system with assays that include:

Gold: 37.5 g/t, 28.2 g/t, 26.1 g/t, 23.4 g/t, 12.35 g/t and 9.15 g/t

Silver: 769 g/t, 473 g/t, 82 g/pt, 1525 g/t, 482 g/t, and 574 g/t

Jim McDonald, CEO of Kootenay Gold and Tim Coupland, CEO of Arctic Hunter both commented, "That the results from the surface sampling and preliminary geologic mapping continue to support and confirm the belief that the Santa Lucia Gold & Silver Property has the potential for hosting a large buried epithermal gold-silver deposit. We both look forward to receiving the results of the recently completed 3D-IP survey in preparation for the commencement of a comprehensive drilling program".

A total of 133 grab samples were collected during a recent extensive property mapping program to gain a better understanding of the extent of anomalous mineralization along the 4 kilometer trend comprised of the Fortuna, San Geronimo, Central and South zones. Of these, 43 samples returned anomalous gold over 0.1 g/t gold with 26 greater than 0.5 g/t gold, and 18 greater than 1.0 g/t gold.

These results complement previous sampling from the Central zone which showed comparable results indicating the potential for bonanza grade gold and silver mineralization. A 3D-IP survey comprising 20 line kilometers has been completed and results are now being processed. The 3D-IP geophysical program is concentrating on the Santa Lucia north area where preliminary geologic mapping and sampling has been successfully completed. The results from the 3D-IP will aid in target definition and will form part of the basis for a comprehensive diamond drilling program at Santa Lucia. A release of these geophysical results will be made once available. Following the completion of the 3D-IP program and receipt of all required drill permits, drilling will commence on all high priority targets.

The Santa Lucia north area has four known mineralized zones forming a 1 by 4 kilometer area of intermittent veining and mineralization, controlled by north and northwest trending structures. The known mineralization is open to the north and south.

The Santa Lucia north area represents a target area where ore bodies are thought to be buried by shallow cover. The extent of mineralization along trends measuring a few kilometers in length with only about 5% bedrock exposure supports the belief the area may contain buried epithermal vein type gold-silver deposits.

Surface grab samples collected by Kootenay Gold (News Dec 10, 2009); have returned from background to a high of 34.8 g/t gold and 856 g/t silver from grab samples which indicates the potential for bonanza grades within the system. Additionally one sample of sericitically altered tuff without visible veining assayed 3.138 g/t Au and 173.8 g/t Ag which is an indication that mineralization may be found outside of veining opening up the potential for bulk tonnage mineralization.

To view a map for the sample locations visit http://www.kootenaygold.ca/s/JointVentures.asp

SAMPLING, ASSAYING AND QA/QC

Samples were placed in labeled rice sacks and sealed. All samples were recorded and delivered to the ALS Chemex sample preparation lab in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Receipt of the samples was signed off at the preparation lab. Pulps of each sample were prepared in Hermosillo and sent to ALS Chemex, North Vancouver B.C. Canada an ISO 9001-2000 certified full service analytical laboratory.

SANTA LUCIA GOLD & SILVER PROPERTY

The Santa Lucia gold project is comprised of two mineral claims covering 9,350 hectares. This large mineral concession is located in the southern Sonora state region of Sonora, Mexico, extending 16.5 km north-south x 11.5 km east-west. The property is approximately 100 km northeast of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico. The Santa Lucia Gold and Silver project area contains several styles of precious-metals mineralization including: 1) coarsely crystalline, deep-seated, gold-silver +/- minor base metals quartz veins in Mesozoic plutonic rocks, 2) vuggy finely crystalline quartz-breccia veins and stockworks in Tertiary volcanics, 3) barren sulfide-deficient hairline quartz veinlets in Tertiary volcanics, 4) barren sulfataric (argillic and silicic) alteration in andesitic volcanics.

ABOUT KOOTENAY

Kootenay is an emerging exploration Company actively developing several mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Numerous joint-venture partnerships maximize the potential for new discoveries. The Company's top priority remains the ongoing development of its Promontorio Silver project in Sonora State, northwest Mexico, which encompasses the former producing Promontorio Silver Mine.

ABOUT ARCTIC HUNTER

Arctic Hunter is Canadian mineral exploration company involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and base metal mineral properties. The Company has acquired a 100% interest in a uranium prospect comprised of eight mineral claims of approximately 6,271 hectares, located near Lever Lake, Northwest Territories; the Lever Lake Property was acquired to determine if economic quantities of minerals exist on the property. The Santa Lucia Gold and silver project is located in Sonora, Mexico. The Santa Lucia Gold project and property is a large mineral concession, comprised of 9,350 hectares extending about 16.5 km north-south x 11.5 km east-west. The project area contains several styles of precious-metals mineralization including gold and silver. The gold and silver mineralization is associated with epithermal-style veins, silica replacement zones and stockworks. The Company also intends to devote a portion of its corporate efforts to reviewing the assessment and acquisition of additional base and precious metal mineral exploration properties and will consider any acquisition of good exploration properties if the opportunity to acquire properties of value and interest to the Company arises.

The foregoing geological disclosure has been reviewed and verified by Kootenay's CEO, James McDonald, P.Geo (a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. McDonald is a director of Kootenay.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. 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.

For further information: Kootenay Gold Inc.: Ken Berry, Chairman at [phone], 1-888-601-5650, www.kootenaygold.ca; And Arctic Hunter Uranium Inc.: Tim Coupland, President and CEO at [phone]; Or Morgan Brewster, Director at [phone], www.arctichunter.com