Frontera Copper Announces Updated Independent NI43-101 Technical Report

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- (Marketwire - Feb. 12, 2010) - Frontera Copper Corporation ("Frontera" or the "Company") (TSX: FCC.NT) (TSX: FCC.NT.A) today announced that it has filed at www.sedar.com an independent technical report ("Report") which is compliant with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (Mineral Project Disclosure Standards) and which updates operations and economic analyses of the Company's Piedras Verdes heap leach copper mine in Sonora State, Mexico.

The Report is co-authored by Brian Kennedy, P.Eng., Matt Gray, P. Geol. and John Nilsson, P.Eng and updates reserve estimates, production rates, expected copper recoveries, operating costs and sustaining capital requirements for the mine, and provides an overall economic analysis of the mine along with an analysis of economic sensitivity factors.

As discussed in the Report, current pit designs and a mine plan forecast the leaching of 125.1 million tonnes (Mt) of ore at an average grade of 0.40% copper over a nine-year period. With copper recovery projected to average 61.7% annual production of approximately 70 million lbs of cathode copper is projected. The total mineralized material within the final pit design is 534 Mt, resulting in an overall strip ratio of 3.27:1. The run-of-mine ore tonnage placed on the leach pad varies by year based upon ore grade and metallurgical ore type. The rate of ore placement on the heap varies from 10.9 to 17.2 Mt per year. Between 2009 and 2024, when copper extraction is forecast to be completed, a total of 726.2 million lbs of copper will have been produced and sold (including existing inventory). The sustaining capital requirements for the mine over that period are estimated at $135 million excluding reclamation of some $27 million. (all monetary figures herein are US$)

The estimated average reported copper cash cost for the life-of-mine is $1.41/lb of cathode copper produced, including royalties. Using a copper price of $3.30 for 2010, $3.20 for 2011, $2.35 for 2012 and $2.00/lb onward, the mine returns a projected pre-tax net present value of $148M using a 12.5% discount rate. The Report assumes that the Company has been able to expend all capital expenditures and other operating expenses necessary to bring the mine to full operation during the forecast period. The Company continues to actively pursue recapitalization initiatives that would allow for the most productive operation of its business.

Brian Nethery, P.Eng., is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved on behalf of the Company the technical contents of this news release which have been summarized from the Report.


Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information

Information in this news release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of statements as to future operating results and economic performance of the Company, and resources and reserves at the Piedras Verdes operations, are assumptions regarding projected revenue and expense, copper prices and mining costs. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to general economic conditions and mining operations, and could differ materially from what is currently expected.


Steve Vanry, Chief Executive Officer

FRONTERA COPPER CORPORATION
14350 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Suite 9
Scottsdale, AZ 85260 USA