Gold Canyon Outlines Multi-Phase Exploration Program for Springpole Gold Project

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jan 11, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) --

Gold Canyon Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: GCU)(PINK SHEETS: GDCRF) ("Gold Canyon" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has recently completed the comprehensive review of its 100% controlled Springpole Gold Project, located in the Red Lake Mining District of Ontario, Canada.

"Although Springpole has seen several generations of drilling, this review is the first time all geological data has been put together into a comprehensive model," states Dr. Quinton Hennigh, technical advisor to Gold Canyon. "This is a project that has not received the attention it deserves. Our recently completed technical review clearly demonstrates the potential of the deposit as well as the critical path forward."

Perhaps the most critical finding is that the Main, Camp and Portage zones are in all likelihood part of the same 1,200 m long, 300 m wide NW-trending body of near surface, less than 200 m deep, mineralization. It appears that a staged drill program focused on 1) drilling the gap between the Camp and Portage zones, 2) drilling the gap between the Camp and Main zones and 3) shallow drilling above historic holes on the Portage zone could have an immediate impact on the size of the resource, which presently stands at 7,100 oz gold measured; 38,400 oz gold indicated; and 197,100 oz gold inferred (see Gold Canyon's independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Resource Estimate dated November 20, 2006, prepared by P & E Mining Consultants Inc., which is available for viewing through the Internet on SEDAR at www.sedar.com). Drilling between the high grade East Extension Zone and the Portage Zone could also add to the resource.

Additional potential is recognized southeast of the Portage Zone where four widely spaced holes indicate mineralization continues at least another 700 m making this zone nearly 2 km long. It is also clear that the Portage Zone is open below 200 m and that a few deeper holes in this zone could enlarge the system.

Gold Canyon has begun plans for a staged drill program over the next 18 months with the goal of expanding known mineralization and preparing the project for a prefeasibility study. (Please see attached map: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/gcu0111.pdf).

Stage one, totalling approximately 6,000 m of core drilling, is planned for this winter to infill several critical gaps within the Portage Zone.

Stage two, totalling approximately 10,000 m of core drilling, is planned between June and September, 2010. This will test shallow levels of the Portage Zone, as well the potential for extension of mineralization to the south-east of this zone. On-shore infill drilling of the Main and East Zones is also planned.

Stage three is planned during the Winter of 2010-11 with up to 10,000 m core anticipated to be drilled to infill areas as dictated by analysis of the prior two stages of this program. The ability for Gold Canyon to proceed with, and the eventual timing of, these proposed stages is subject to the Company's ability to obtain the necessary funding and there can be no assurance that Gold Canyon will be successful in obtaining such funding.

"It is seldom that one sees a project with this much work, yet a lot of upside potential," says Dr. Hennigh. "Springpole is in a great jurisdiction, and can be quickly improved with a well-designed drill program. We have laid out a coordinated staged drill plan that will move this project forward towards prefeasibility."

Quinton Hennigh, Ph.D., P.Geo., is the Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 responsible for, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is acting as a technical advisor to Gold Canyon.