2004

SKN COMMENCES NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – March 17, 2004 – SKN Resources Ltd.("SKN" or the "Company"), is of the opinion that its shares are undervalued in the current market, and that current share prices do not reflect SKN's strong balance sheet and portfolio of highly prospective exploration properties. Accordingly, SKN intends to commence a Normal Course Issuer Bid to acquire up to 1,355,000 of its Common Shares (being approximately 5% of the 27,117,913 shares currently issued and outstanding), over a one year period. Purchases will be made at the discretion of the Directors at prevailing market prices, through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange and with the assistance of Haywood Securities Inc. The Company intends to hold all shares acquired under the issuer bid for cancellation or possible resale at a later date. The Issuer Bid is subject to regulatory approval.

Directors and senior officers of the Company are not aware of any previously undisclosed material changes or plans or proposals for material changes in the affairs of the Company, nor do any of them have the present intention to sell shares of the Company during the Normal Course Issuer Bid.

The Company is limited, pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, to purchasing not more than 2% of the Company's outstanding shares during any 30-day period. Shares purchased pursuant to the Normal Course Issuer Bid by the Company will be acquired at a price that is not higher than the last independent trade of a board lot of common shares of the Company.

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.