Romarco Completes Phase I Drilling Program at the Hog Ranch Gold Project

ROMARCO MINERALS INC. (“TSXV: R” – the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the Phase I drilling program at the Hog Ranch Gold Project. Romarco drilled a total of 2380 feet (725m) in three rotary-reverse circulation drill holes before having to end the program prematurely due to a winter storm and excessively muddy conditions. In Phase I, Romarco originally planned to drill approximately 3500 feet (1067m) in four holes to begin testing bonanza gold vein targets below and around the previously mined Geib Pit. Analytical results for the three drill holes are expected in mid-March.

Phase II of drilling is expected to begin in May 2004 or as soon as ground and weather conditions permit. Phase II will be a larger, more comprehensive drill program. Depending on the results from Phase I, Phase II may be a combination of core follow-up holes, and additional rotary-reverse circulation holes to test new target areas. One of Romarco’s primary target areas is the Krista pit, which was the largest previously mined deposit. This target area was not addressed during the first phase program due to muddy ground conditions in the Krista pit; however this target area will be drilled as part of the Phase II program.

Hog Ranch is located in Washoe County, Nevada and is a large volcanic-hosted gold/silver district where local zones of high-grade gold, comprised of banded quartz-adularia veins containing free gold, were found during the exploration for, and mining of, generally lower grade, near-surface disseminated and breccia ore bodies. Romarco believes that these local high-grade veins indicate the potential for bonanza quartz-adularia veins occurring at greater depth than the previously mined deposits. It is interpreted that such veins would be the hydrothermal “feeders” to the near-surface gold deposits. Romarco has an option with Seabridge Gold Inc. to earn a 60% interest (65% under certain conditions) in the Hog Ranch Project.

For further information, please contact Diane Garrett, President and C.E.O. at (830) 634-7489 or by e-mail at dgarrett@romarco.com or Mr. Ralf Langner, V.P. Finance at (604) 688-9271 or by e-mail at rlangner@romarco.com

ON BEHALF OF ROMARCO MINERALS INC.

Diane R. Garrett
President and C.E.O.