2004

SKN ACQUIRES 100% OF TUOBUKA GOLD PROJECT, YUNNAN, CHINA

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - January 13, 2004 - SKN RESOURCES LTD. ("SKN") advises that Chinese government approval has been received on the acquisition of the final 20% of the Tuobuka Gold Project, Yunnan Province, China. The Project is held in a Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Company (JV Company) in which SKN had an 80% interest. A contract was recently signed to acquire the remaining 20% interest from SKN's Chinese partner. With approval of the contract, SKN now holds 100% of the Tuobuka Project through its 100% ownership of the JV Company.

Drilling on the Tuobuka project commenced during the first week of January, 10 days later than anticipated. Three rigs are currently turning, with steady progress being made through Middle Proterozoic carbonaceous shales and calcareous siltstones within a stratabound thrust zone of ductile-brittle shearing, characterized by extensive multi-phase breccia/shear development and accompanied by quartz-carbonate and sulphide (pyrite) replacement where difficult drilling conditions have been encountered. Two rigs are drilling targets at the upper mineralization horizon (about 1900 meter elevation), which is a 3.0 kilometer extension of Southwestern Resources' Boka 7 zone. The third rig is drilling at the parallel lower mineralization horizon (about 1600 meter elevation), which has not been drilled previously by Southwestern Resources on its Boka Gold Project.

Myles Gao, P.Geo, President of SKN, is overseeing the planned 3,000 metre drill program, and is the Qualified Person on the project. Drilling will continue during the Chinese New Year Holiday which extends for about 10 days starting mid January.

SKN Resources Ltd. is actively exploring for precious metal opportunities in China.

Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute 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 mineral exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.


SKN RESOURCES LTD.
For further information: Rui Feng, Chairman & CEO, Phone: (604) 669-9397, Fax: (604) 669-9387, Email: info@sknresources.com, Websites: www.sknresources.com, www.newpacificmetals.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept, responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.