Focus Confirms Historical Drill Assays at Aurora and Samples 18.8 m @ 0.77% Cu, 168 ppm Mo and 4.0 g/t Ag

VANCOUVER, March 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Focus Ventures Ltd. (TSX-V: FCV) is pleased to announce assay results from the re-sampling of historical drill cores at its Aurora Cu-Mo project located in the Department of Cuzco, southeastern Peru.

Thirteen holes drilled in 1999 and 2005 cut significant intervals of copper and molybdenum mineralization, including 244m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.007% Mo in DDA-1, 142m @ 0.5% Cu, 0.004% Mo in DDA-3, and 71.7m @ 0.7% Cu, 0.007% Mo in DDA-3A (see Focus news release July 11, 2012).

Selected intervals of mineralized half-core from drill holes DDA-1and DDA-3A were re-assayed to determine levels of other elements such as silver and gold, and confirm the reliability of the historical drill assays. Only assay data for copper and molybdenum is available in the historical drilling results. A total of 47.26m were sampled (34 samples).

The following table shows the new assay results for selected intervals compared with the historical assays*.

Historical Weighted Average Grades       Re-assayed Core Weighted Average Grades
From m  To m  Interval m  Cu %  Mo ppm  Ag g/t  From m  To m  Interval m  Cu %  Mo ppm  Ag g/t
Hole DDA-1 	 
270.0 	280.0 	10.0 	1.02 	70 	n/a 	270.5 	279.5 	9.0 	0.71 	73 	3.4
284.0 	290.0 	6.0 	0.99 	54 	n/a 	284.1 	290.3 	6.2 	0.77 	46 	4.7
Hole DDA-3A               	  	 
364.0 	384.0 	20.0 	0.89 	167.2 	n/a 	365.2 	384.0 	18.8 	0.77 	168 	4.0
226.0 	230.0 	4.0 	0.94 	20 	n/a 	226.3 	230.8 	4.5 	0.62 	12 	2.8
236.0 	244.0 	8.0 	0.96 	63 	n/a 	235.3 	244.0 	8.7 	1.11 	68 	4.9

* Due to factors including the slight difference in individual lengths of the historic and new sampled intervals, sample size (quarter core in the new assays compared to half core in the historical assays) and any analytical bias due to the possibly of different methods used in the historical sampling, the results should be used only as a general comparison.


Sulphide mineralization is as veinlet and disseminated chalcopyrite, chalcocite and molybdenite, with quartz and pyrite. The re-assayed intervals confirm the copper and molybdenum grades in the historical drilling and give confidence in the data assays. Importantly, the new results show that silver content is significant, averaging around 4 g/t Ag in the cores sampled. Gold assayed from trace up to 0.24 g/t however values are generally less than 0.01 g/t. All individual sample results (total 35 samples) are available on the Focus website at www.focusventuresltd.com.


Background

The Aurora porphyry copper-molybdenum property is located approximately 65 km north of the city of Cusco, between 2,600 - 2,900m above sea level. Access to the property from Cusco takes between 2.5 and 3 hours, most of the journey on asphalt and graded gravel roads.

The presence of porphyry mineralization at Aurora was confirmed by two small drill programs undertaken by different companies in 2001 and 2005. Thirteen holes (3,900m) drilled over an area approximately 1,000m by 800m cut intervals of copper and molybdenum mineralization associated with a variety of quartz feldspar porphyritic intrusions that are partly capped or concealed by slates of the Ordovician (439 - 463 ma) Sandia Formation. The system has been partially unroofed along a narrow northeast-southwest trending ridge with slate cover rocks preserved to the west, south and east.

Results of a recent geophysical survey support Focus's interpretation that the Aurora mineralizing system extends well beyond the limits of the historical drilling and may contain a large porphyry copper molybdenum deposit, requiring comprehensive drilling for definition of resources. Environmental studies and permitting for a drill program have commenced.

Additional information including sections and plans are available on the Company website www.focusventuresltd.com.


Sampling Quality Analysis and Quality Control

Half core was split using a diamond core splitter and bagged, security-sealed and transported by Focus personnel to ALS Chemex laboratories in Lima. Silver, copper and molybdenum were determined by multi-acid digestion and ICP-AES. Gold was assayed by Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry. ALS Chemex's quality control system complies with International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:2005. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by Focus's own QA/QC program which involves the insertion by Focus personnel of blind certified standards and blanks into the sample stream at regular intervals in order to independently assess analytical precision and accuracy of each batch of samples as they are received from the laboratory.

The historical drill assays quoted in this press release were undertaken by Vena Resources and have not been independently verified by Focus, however the sampling and assaying are considered to have been undertaken using standard industry practice and QA/QC procedures. Most of the drill cores were lost in years prior to the acquisition of the project by Focus, however half core samples from drill holes DDA-1, DDA-3 and DDA-3A remain.


Qualified Person

Mr. David Cass, Focus's President, is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and a "Qualified Person" in accordance with NI 43-101. Mr. Cass has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.


About Focus Ventures

Focus Ventures is developing a diversified portfolio of quality silver, gold, copper and phosphate properties in Peru, Mexico and Colombia. Backed by an experienced technical team of geologists and consultants, Focus's strategy is to identify and acquire former producing mines or untested gold and silver and base metal properties that show potential to become new mines. For further information, please call 604-688-5288 or visit our web site www.focusventuresltd.com.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Cass"
David Cass, President



Symbol: TSXV-FCV
Shares Issued: 40.1-million



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Focus Ventures Ltd. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statement.



For further information:

Focus Ventures Ltd.
Jaclyn Ruptash
Tel: (604) 688-5288
Fax: (604) 682-1514
Email: info@focusventuresltd.com
Website: www.focusventuresltd.com