News Releases

Nevada Copper to Start Follow-Up Drilling of Discovery Hole NC12-34 Which Intersected 690 Feet Grading 1.17% Copper

December 5, 2012

December 5, 2012 - Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (“Nevada Copper”) is pleased to announce that drill contracts have been signed for follow-up drilling of the NC12-34 area from its 100% owned Pumpkin Hollow Property located near Yerington, Nevada. It is expected that drill mobilization will commence later this month. The initial phase of the drill program will total 5,000 meters.

The mineralization discovered in the NC12-34 area is located along the southern edge of the North Deposit where mineralization remains open in several directions. Drill hole NC12-34 targeted the expansion of the main mineralized zone, intersecting 690 feet (210.3 meters), 625.3 feet (190.6 meters) true thickness, grading 1.17% copper.

Assays results for drill hole NC12-34 were received after the recently-released updated “Western Deposits” resource. The new measured and indicated copper resource increased by over 1.1 billion pounds to 5.4 billion pounds of copper as described in News Release dated September 7, 2012. Drill hole 12-34 mineralization is just outside the current National Instrument 43-101 Feasibility Study ultimate pit limits for the North and South pits.

A section and map showing the NC12-34 area are available at http://www.nevadacopper.com/site/assets/files/3896/2012-12-04_maps.pdf.

Gregory French, Vice President, Senior Project Manager, commented, “The south edge of the North Deposit, where NC12-34 is located continues to produce great results. The newly discovered mineralization intersected in NC12-34 opens up a large area between the North and South pits that has not yet been drill tested. We believe the continued success of the follow-up drilling will significantly increase the resource and have very positive implications in future mine designs.”

Shaft & Hoist Installation Progress

Shaft construction at the East deposit overseen by Atkinson Construction is proceeding on time and budget. Schmueser & Associates, the subcontractor for the hoist installation, is currently in the process of assembling and placing the hoist. The first sections of the head-frame are also in place. Photos of the contractor, TEKKO Inc., erecting the initial head-frame sections can be found on the project web page at: www.pumpkinhollowcopper.com/mine-community/category/shaft-progress.

Qualification Statement

The Pumpkin Hollow drilling program is under the supervision of Gregory French, CPG #10708, and a Qualified Person as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101, who is responsible for the preparation of the technical information in this news release. All assaying and whole rock geochemistry is processed at the American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Reno, Nevada. Samples are delivered from the project core logging facility to AAL by Nevada Copper or AAL personnel. A Quality Assurance and Quality Control Assay Protocol have been implemented whereby blanks and standards are inserted into the assay stream and check samples are sent to Chemex-Reno and Inspectorate-Reno laboratories.

For additional information about Nevada Copper please visit our website at www.nevadacopper.com.

NEVADA COPPER CORP.

Giulio T. Bonifacio, President & CEO

Cautionary Language

This news release includes certain statements and information that may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including the likelihood of commercial mining, securing as strategic partner, expanding the mineral resources and reserves and possible future financings are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: Nevada Copper Corp. (the “Company”) plans at the Pumpkin Hollow Project; the timing of granting of key permits; from the Feasibility Study: the estimated metal production and the timing thereof; capital and operating costs, future metal prices and cash flow estimates derived from the foregoing.

Forward-looking statements or information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of mineral resources and reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, capital costs, costs of production, capital expenditures, success of mining operations, environmental risks and other mining related matters. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: history of losses; requirements for additional capital; dilution; loss of its material properties; interest rates increase; global economy; no history of production; future metals price fluctuations, speculative nature of exploration activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as expected; labor disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery rates may differ from what is indicated and the difference may be material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions; accidents, title matters; regulatory restrictions; permitting and licensing; volatility of the market price of Common Shares; insurance; competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated September 26, 2012. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law, and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company’s business contained in the Company’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that could cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on Nevada Copper and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review Nevada Copper’s annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For further information call:

Eugene Toffolo
VP, Investor Relations & Communications
Phone: 604-683-8266
Toll free: 1-877-648-8266
Email: etoffolo@nevadacopper.com
Robert McKnight, P.Eng., MBA
Executive Vice President & CFO
Phone 604-683-1309
Email: bmcknight@nevadacopper.com

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