2006 News

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 9th, 2006. Candente Resource Corp. (DNT:TSX) is pleased to report that the National Instrument, NI 43-101 report substantiating the boosted inferred resource estimate for the Cañariaco Norte Zone of the Cañariaco property, Northern Peru has now been completed and filed on Sedar.

In addition to substantiating the resource, the report also shows that the leachable target at Cañariaco could be expanded to include the entire deposit. Column leach tests by Kappes Cassiday show that leaching results indicate excellent leachability of chalcocite (75 to 80%) and much better than was expected (40%) for the chalcopyrite mineralization, both after 220 days. Chalcocite makes up approximately 50% of the total contained copper in the Cañariaco Norte deposit.

Michael Casselman, GM Exploration and Director comments that "These leach testing results indicate that the Cañariaco deposit could have very robust economics given that several major companies are now leaching, or planning to leach, copper deposits which are made up predominantly of chalcopyrite, which has only 40 to 45% recovery, ie. Rio Tinto at La Granja, Peru and BHP Billiton at Escondida, Chile".

In addition to the leachability, Cañariaco Norte has many other features which should make it a low cost copper producer: road access, low elevations (2500 to 3200 m), availability of water, electricity, infrastructure, ports and a sparsely populated area with a local labour force readily available and favourable to exploration and development.

The boosted inferred resource of 489 million tonnes grading 0.45% copper at a cut-off grade of 0.20% copper and contained metal in the resource equals 4.8 billion pounds of copper (see table below). This resource comprises only 73% of the lateral (66 of 90 hectares) and 50% of the vertical (320 m of the 640 m) known extents to the deposit. The deposit is still open for expansion both laterally and vertically as all drill holes to date have ended in significant copper grades, several of which are from 0.55% to 1.00% Cu.

An economic evaluation for an SX-EW copper operation at Cañariaco based on the 43-101 report referred to above, is being carried out by Merit Consultants International Inc. of Vancouver, B.C. A near surface leachable zone has been identified for a starter area, which could allow quick pay back of capital costs.

The 43-101 report as well as maps and sections are available both on Sedar and on our website at:
http://www.candente.com/s/PeruProjects_Cañariaco.asp

Michael J. Casselman, M.Sc., P.Geo., General Manager Exploration and Director, Robert van Egmond, P.Geo., Senior Geologist and Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., President and CEO, are the Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101 for the project discussed above and Joanne Freeze has read and approved the contents of this release.

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

Joanne Freeze, P. Geo.
President & CEO
Release No. 165

For further information please contact:
Kelly Gray or Evelyn Cox
(604) 689-1957 or toll free 1-877-689-1964
E-mail: info@candente.com
www.candente.com

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.