FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

CANYON RESOURCES ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF OUR CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DR. RICHARD H. DE VOTO

Golden, CO -- Canyon Resources Corporation (AMEX:CAU), a Colorado-based mining company, is saddened to announce the passing on August 21 of Chairman Dr. Richard H. De Voto after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Judy, three adult children and their families and three step-children. Dick was renowned for his exploration expertise and his tenacious battle to support the rights of the mining industry. “The Board, management team and all present and past employees at Canyon will miss his leadership, friendship and guidance. We shall mourn his loss," states James Hesketh, President and CEO.

Dick had over 40 years of experience in natural resource exploration and management. He was a co-founder of Canyon in 1979 and a founding Director of Delta Gold in Australia from 1984 through 1990. From 1966 to 1987, he was also a Professor of Geology at the Colorado School of Mines. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology at Stanford Universtity, and both a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Doctor of Science degree in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. De Voto was Professor Emeritus of the Colorado School of Mines and a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado.

Services will be held at 5:00p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007, at the Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 West 32^nd Avenue, Golden, CO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

James Hesketh, President and CEO (303) 278-8464

Valerie Kimball, Investor Relations (303) 278-8464