News Release

Sep 30, 2009

PDF Version

IMA proceeds with its option on Western Copper’s Island Copper Project

VANCOUVER, B.C. IMA Exploration Inc. (“IMA”) (IMR-AMEX, IMR-TSX.V) is pleased to announce that it has informed Western Copper Corporation (“Western Copper”) (TSX:WRN) of its intention to proceed with its option agreement on the Island Copper porphyry copper-gold project on Vancouver Island.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement signed in August 2008, IMA is required to spend an additional C$13.1 million towards the completion of a pre-feasibility study by 2011 in order to earn 49% interest in the project.

IMA’s first step will be to complete an “order of magnitude” engineering study based on the known resources in the Hushamu deposit. This study will evaluate the project’s economic potential and will assist in directing further work.

ABOUT IMA EXPLORATION INC
IMA recently announced a business arrangement with Kobex Resources Ltd. (KBX – TSX.V) and International Barytex Resources Ltd. (IBX – TSX.V) that was approved by the shareholders of each of Kobex and Barytex at special meetings held on September 25, 2009. The arrangement is expected to close on September 30, 2009 with the name of the company changing on Oct 1, 2009 to Kobex Minerals Inc. (KXM-AMEX, KXM-TSX.V)

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER CORPORATION
Western Copper is a Vancouver based exploration and development company with significant copper, gold and molybdenum resources and reserves. The Company has 100% ownership of four Canadian properties. The two most advanced projects are the Carmacks Copper Project and the Casino Project both located in the Yukon. The Casino Project is one of the world's largest open-pittable copper, gold and molybdenum deposits. For more information, visit http://www.westerncoppercorp.com

On behalf of the board,

"Dale Corman"

F. Dale Corman
Chairman & CEO
Western Copper Corporation

"Joseph Grosso"

Mr. Joseph Grosso
President & CEO
IMA Exploration Inc.

For more information, please contact:

Paul West-Sells - Executive VP,
Corporate Development
Chiara Orrigoni - Investor Relations

Call: 1.888.966.9995 or 604.684.9497
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cautionary notes:

This press release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Western Copper Corp. are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Notice to US Investors

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms on this news release, such as “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred” “resources,” that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Western’s Form 20-F, File No. 000-52231, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.