IMR iMetal Resources Inc

IMA Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: IMR)(AMEX: IMR)(FRANKFURT: IMT)(WKN 884971) ("IMA" or the "Company") has received its drill permit for the Island Copper project and has already mobilized the exploration team to the project. Two drill rigs are expected to be on site by the end of the week. IMA is currently fulfilling its minimum required first year exploration expense of $1.9 million CDN already committed for the Island Copper Project. The Company would also like to assure shareholders that it is conserving its significant treasury of over $23 million CDN in short term cashable GIC's (average interest rate of 3%) in these difficult market conditions, but has not lost sight of its purpose: to find economic deposits and bring them to feasibility. IMA is carefully reviewing a number of very exciting, advanced flagship projects that meet our criteria of proven resources, near-term cash flow and significant exploration potential. The current market conditions are resulting in unique opportunities to acquire high-quality assets at historically low costs. IMA is well positioned with its significant treasury to capitalize on the current economic situation.

On the Island Copper Project both drill rigs will initially be deployed at the NW Expo Zone where previous drilling completed by Lumina Copper in 2005 and Western Copper in 2007 encountered significant intersections of gold and molybdenum mineralization (204m averaging 0.74 g/t gold, 120m of 1.25 g/t gold and 180m of 0.03% Mo(i)). IMA's drilling will step out to the north and west of these drill intercepts to test the open extensions to the mineralization with the aim of delineating mineralized zones that will add to the already substantial copper-gold resource at Hushamu. The drill rigs will then be moved to the Hushamu resource area where previous work has delineated a 43-101 compliant estimated Measured and Indicated Resource containing 2.3M ounces gold and 1.4B pounds copper (230.9M tonnes grading 0.31 g/t Au and 0.28% Cu at a 0.2% Cu cut-off). Drilling on the Hushamu resource area will be focused on increasing the copper equivalent grade of the resource, by quantifying molybdenum mineralization not previously included in the estimate, as well as, increasing tonnage.

The phase I drill program is part of the first-year, stage-1, commitment to Western Copper and is part of IMA's 3-stage, 4-year option to earn up to a 70% interest in the Island Copper project and bring it to a production decision.

IMA is a Vancouver based exploration company with over $23M in its treasury. The acquisition of the Island Copper Project is Phase I of IMA's business strategy and aligns with the Company's objective to acquire projects that contain established resources, near-term cash flow and offer significant opportunities for expansion through continued exploration. A PowerPoint presentation on the project is available on the Company's web site (www.imaexploration.com).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mr. Joseph Grosso, President & CEO

(i) 2007 Diamond Drilling Report on the Hushamu Property prepared for Western Copper Corporation

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.

2008 Number 8

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

Contacts: IMA Exploration Inc. Joseph Grosso President & CEO (604) 687-1828 or Toll Free: 1-800-901-0058 IMA Exploration Inc. Keir Reynolds Manager, Corporate Communications (604) 687-1828 or Toll Free: 1-800-901-0058 (604) 687-1858 (FAX) Email: info@imaexploration.com Website: www.imaexploration.com