Riou Lake is now being flown by Fugro Airborne Surveys

Monday, April 18, 2005

April 18, 2005: Solitaire Minerals Corp. (the Company) is pleased to announce that Fugro Airborne Surveys has now started the deep-penetrating, airborne electromagnetic (MegaTEM) survey, which will provide blanket coverage for the entire Riou Lake property. This survey is designed to map conductors beyond the coverage provided by the existing ground electromagnetic surveys. A magnetometer survey, flown as part of the MegaTEM survey package, will also greatly improve the resolution of the magnetic coverage on the project. The MegaTEM and magnetic data will aid in selecting areas for further ground geophysics follow-up.

The Riou Lake claims which total 25,440 acres encompass the western extension of the Riou Lake fault system. This part of the fault was the first staked claim in the area because of the surface expression of the fault. The escarpment is displaced 180 feet above the surface and extends along surface for 8 kms. This escarpment is unique in the Athabascan basin and thought to be a fault.

The regional gravity survey shows a gravity low coinciding with the escarpment. This gravity low may indicate an alteration zone within the sandstone and possibly also the basement. The airborne magnetic and VLF-EM surveys carried out over the Riou Lake Center property in 1996 indicate that the magnetic responses are deep and largely due to responses from metamorphic rocks. The VLF survey shows a weak response coincident with the east-southeasterly trending escarpment in the sandstone (Newson, N.R., 1997).

Solitaire Minerals Corp. anticipates announcing a further work program upon review of the airborne electromagnetic (MegaTEM) survey.

Mr. Jim Kermeen, M.Sc., P.Eng, will be the Qualified Person on our Riou Lake properties.

About Solitaire Minerals Corp. Solitaire Minerals Corp. is a diversified junior Canadian mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in North America. The Company has assembled a portfolio of precious and base metal exploration prospects in Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Solitaire's Ontario properties in the Red Lake/Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt include the Baird, Heyson and Chukuni River Prospects, in which the Company has agreements to earn 100% in, but has not yet vested its interest. In addition, the Company has entered into an option agreement with another company, whereby that company may earn up to a 50% interest in the Baird Property. In Saskatchewan, the Company has signed a purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Highrock Lake property and a 90% interest in the Riou Lake Property located in the Athabasca Basin. The Company has also acquired the Riou Lake North and South properties in which the company has 100% interest.

For additional information you can contact Solitaire Minerals Corp. or visit www.solitaireminerals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
SOLITAIRE MINERALS CORP.
"Charles Desjardins"

Charles Desjardins
President and Director

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.