VML Viscount Mining Corp

Verena Minerals Corporation (TSX VENTURE: VML) (the "Company" or "Verena") is pleased to announce that it has commenced an initial 15,000 meter diamond drilling program focused on advancing the Volta Grande Gold Project located in Para State, Brazil towards a feasibility study. In addition to the drilling, the Board of Directors has also approved further engineering and technical studies to accelerate project development. The additional studies have been designed to include initial geotechnical drilling, environmental base line studies and further metallurgical tests.

The Volta Grande Gold Project has a National Instrument 43-101 compliant estimated indicated mineral resource of 715,000 ounces of gold (20,090,000 tonnes grading 1.11 g/t gold) and an estimated inferred mineral resource of 1,388,000 ounces of gold (45,210,000 tonnes grading 0.95 g/t gold) based on a 0.50 g/t gold cut-off, as outlined by the study undertaken by Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. ("Scott Wilson RPA") (see News Release of September 29, 2009 and Technical Report filed on SEDAR). The previous preliminary economic assessment carried out by Scott Wilson RPA was based on the Mineral Resources estimated with drilling to 150 meters below surface on the North Block. The Company's current drill program focuses on upgrading the resources category and testing extensions of the mineralized zones along strike and down dip.

Exploration Upside

The mineralization present at the Ouro Verde Deposit in the North Block is open along strike and down plunge. The Company believes that a significant soil geochemistry anomaly with similar dimensions to the Ouro Verde deposit indicates great potential for extending the known deposit to the northwest. The Company has also designed the drill program to evaluate the potential on the South Block, which is a large parallel shear zone, where initial drilling has indicated gold mineralization similar to the North Block (e.g., Hole #VVD-168 intersected 23 meters grading 1.80 g/t gold). The South Block target is located 3 km to the southeast of the North Block.

Helio Diniz, Vice President, Exploration for Verena, stated "We are very excited with this next exploration phase. One rig is already on site and the first hole was initiated on April 26. Two additional rigs will be mobilized in the next two weeks. We believe that upgrading and expanding the resources will provide enhanced project development alternatives for the Volta Grande Gold project."

V.P. Business Development Appointed

Verena is also pleased to announce that it has appointed Simon Marcotte as V.P. Business Development. Mr. Marcotte has 14 years of capital market involvement. He has been a partner of Cormark Securities ("Cormark") for 4 years in institutional equity sales covering Montreal and New York. He also previously sat on the Board of Directors of Cormark. Prior to his involvement with Cormark, Mr Marcotte was a Director for CIBC World Markets in Montreal since 1998 in institutional sales. Mr Marcotte holds a B.A.A. from Sherbrooke University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David Gower, P. Geo., an advisor to Verena and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Verena

Verena Minerals Corporation is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a portfolio of properties including gold, diamonds and gemstones in Brazil. Verena's prime focus is on advancing and expanding its 100% owned Volta Grande Project, located in Para State. Verena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and has approximately 137.9 million common shares issued and outstanding.

Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information

This press release includes forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including mineral resource estimates, statements regarding the planned exploration program, and the purposes and costs of the program. Forward looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is currently expected. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, refer to Verena's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.verena.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts: Verena Minerals Corporation Mark Eaton President and CEO (416) 861-5934 www.verena.com