DNT Candente Copper Corp

Candente Copper Corp. (TSX:DNT)(BVLAC:DNT)(WKN:GW4) ("Candente Copper") is
pleased to announce that feasibility studies have resumed on their Canariaco
Norte copper project, and preparation for exploration of their Canariaco Sur,
Quebrada Verde and other Peruvian copper projects has begun.


Canariaco Norte Copper project

Candente Copper has now resumed feasibility studies on the Canariaco Norte
copper project. A Pre-Feasibility Study is slated for completion in Q4 2010,
with a final Feasibility Study expected approximately 6 months thereafter.


"We are extremely pleased to resume the development program for the Canariaco
Norte copper project. It is a compelling, large scale copper project in a
country with a well established mining industry that we believe will be one of
the next generation of Peruvian copper mines," said Sean Waller, P.Eng.,
President of Candente Copper. "Completion of the Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility
Studies will be major milestones in this development of Canariaco Norte."


The selection process for an internationally recognized engineering firm to
complete the Pre-Feasibility Study on Canariaco Norte is underway, with contract
award anticipated by mid-April 2010.


A geotechnical drilling program in the Canariaco Norte pit area will start in
late April following the end of the rainy season. This program will provide the
geotechnical data required to complete the pre-feasibility level design of the
Canariaco Norte pit. It is anticipated that the additional data will permit
optimization of the pit wall slopes with the potential to improve the open pit
mine plan grade, particularly during the early years of production.


The feasibility level metallurgical test work will resume shortly at SGS
Lakefield Research in Santiago, Chile. This test work will determine the
projected metal recoveries and other metallurgical parameters required to
finalize the Canariaco Norte process flow sheet. When SRK completed the
Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2008 the feasibility level metallurgical test
work was already more than 50% complete.


As part of the metallurgical assessment program, Candente Copper recently
contracted CESL Limited, a subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited, to assess the
applicability of their hydrometallurgical technology to treat the Canariaco
Norte copper concentrate and produce LME grade A copper cathode on-site. This
technology has the potential to significantly improve the Canariaco Norte copper
project.


The Canariaco Norte Pre-Feasibility Study will also evaluate the potential
impact of a proposed new deep water port at Eten, Peru, 130 kms from Canariaco
Norte. Use of this proposed port has the potential to reduce transportation
costs substantially (approx.C$170 million) over the life of the Canariaco Norte
mine when compared to the SRK 2008 Preliminary Economic Assessment report, which
modelled trucking copper concentrate 420 kms to the operating port of Salaverry,
Peru.


In addition, AMEC (Peru) S.A. has now resumed the Environmental & Social Impact
Assessment (ESIA) on the Canariaco Norte copper project area.


Canariaco Sur & Quebrada Verde Copper Projects

Evaluation drilling on the Canariaco Sur copper porphyry, 1.5 kms SW of the
centre of the Canariaco Norte copper deposit, is also planned to commence in May
2010. Exploration to define drill targets on the Quebrada Verde zone 1.5 kms
further to the southwest is also planned for 2010.


Two discovery holes drilled into the Canariaco Sur target in 2008 intersected
extensive sections of copper mineralization, including 83 metres grading 0.55%
copper equivalent within a larger 176 metre intersection grading 0.48% copper
equivalent. These holes, when combined with highly anomalous soil geochemistry
and geophysics indicate that Canariaco Norte, Canariaco Sur and Quebrada Verde
together comprise an extensive copper-gold porphyry complex covering a minimum
length of five kilometres and an average width of two kilometres.


"The discovery of a second porphyry copper deposit and the excellent potential
for the discovery of a third in such close proximity to the Canariaco Norte
copper deposit could significantly add to the scope and economics of the
Canariaco project development through shared infrastructure and facilities."
states Mr. Waller. "A significant amount of our exploration effort will be
focussed on the evaluation of these targets."


Other Copper Exploration Targets

Candente Copper holds a number of earlier stage copper and base metal properties
in Peru. Evaluation, prioritization and drill target selection on these
properties has also begun and exploration drilling is planned for select targets
in 2010.


About Candente Copper

Candente Copper's flagship project is the 100% owned, 7.7 billion pound
feasibility stage Canariaco Norte copper project located in northern Peru's
prolific mining district. The Canariaco Norte deposit contains 102 million
tonnes in a high grade, near-surface resource shell at 0.61% copper equivalent,
622 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated resource grading 0.52% copper
equivalent, and 128 million tonnes of Inferred Resource at 0.47% copper
equivalent(i).


A positive Preliminary Economic Assessment was completed on the Canariaco Norte
copper project in late 2008, which shows robust economics at both current and
consensus long term copper prices. Since this report was published, a number of
factors have been identified which have the potential to significantly improve
the project's economics.


Sean Waller, P.Eng., President and Joanne C. Freeze, P.Geo., CEO, are the
Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the projects
discussed above. They have reviewed and approved the contents of this release.
All resources quoted in this release are based on a 0.30% copper cut-off grade
and 72,189 metres drilled in 249 holes since 2004. (i)All copper equivalent
grades quoted in this release are based on US$1.90 per pound copper, US$600 per
troy ounce gold, US$10 per troy ounce silver, and 100% metal recoveries.


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.


CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS

We advise U.S. investors that this news release uses terms that are not
recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"),
including "mineral resources", "measured resources", "indicated resources" and
"inferred resources". The estimation of measured and indicated resources
involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than
the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not
to assume that mineral resources in these categories will be converted to
reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty
as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other
categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that
estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically mineable, or
will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. U.S. investors
are cautioned not to assume that mineral resources in any of these categories
will be converted into reserves.


On behalf of the Board of Candente Copper Corp.

Sean Waller, P.Eng., President & Director

NR 005

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