Rubicon Intersects More High-Grade Gold and Wide Gold Zones at F2 Zone, Phoenix Gold Project, Red Lake, Ontario

VANCOUVER, April 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --

Rubicon Minerals Corporation (RMX.TSX: RBY.NYSE-AMEX) is pleased to announce results of ice-based drilling from its 100%-controlled Phoenix Gold Project, located in the heart of the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Ontario. The Company is conducting drill programs designed to expand the F2 Zone from which numerous significant high-grade and bonanza-grade gold intercepts have been reported (see news releases from March 12, 2008, onwards).

Results in this release are focused in the northeast and southwest target areas respectively, for which positive initial results were released February 11 and March 23, 2009. See Figures 1 to 3 for drill hole location maps and sections. For a complete tabulation of all results from the F2 Zone, please refer to www.rubiconminerals.com.

F2 Zone northeast extension drilling ------------------------------------

New high-grade gold results from this area include 1.15 oz/ton gold over 12.1 feet (39.3 g/t gold over 3.7 metres) in hole F2-59 and 6.96 oz/ton gold over 3.3 feet (238.6 g/t gold over 1.0 metre) in hole F2-58. Host basalts in this area contain numerous additional significant gold intercepts (see Table 1) developed within wide mineralized intervals, e.g., 0.36 oz/ton gold over 98.4 feet (12.3 g/t gold over 30.0 metres) in hole F2-57. Results from the northeast extension area are significant because:

    1) New results show that the northeast area represents an expansion of
       the F2 core system rather than a separate, isolated area (see Figure
       1, 2 and 3).

    2) The system remains open for exploration further to the north/northeast
       and to depth.

    3) Newly reported high-grade gold intercepts in hole F2-58, and
       previously reported high-grade gold in hole F2-57 (2.01 oz/ton gold
       over 13.1 feet (68.8 g/t gold over 4.0 metres)) occur approximately
       100 metres from the core of the F2 Zone. Taken together, these results
       indicate the potential to significantly expand the core high-grade
       gold system and indicate potential for a significant, new high-grade
       gold zone.

    4) The potential to further expand the system to the northeast and
       discover additional gold zones is considered to be high. This is
       evidenced by the new high-grade gold intercept in hole F2-59 which
       occurs 40 metres from the wide intercept reported in hole F2-57 and,
       separately in hole F2-55 which intersected gold mineralization to the
       east of previous holes in an untested area.


    F2 Zone core area drilling
    --------------------------

Hole F2-61B returned a thick intersection of mineralized basalts averaging 0.11 oz/ton gold over 160.7 feet (3.6 g/t gold over 49.0 metres) that contains several higher grade sections up to 0.96 oz/ton gold over 3.3 feet (33.0 g/t gold over 1.0 metres). This thick intersection of the favoured host lithology offers potential for significant additional gold mineralization in this area.

F2 Zone southwest extension drilling ------------------------------------

New high-grade gold intercepts in this area are highlighted by 3.62 oz/ton gold over 9.84 feet (124.2 g/t gold over 3.0 metres) in hole F2-52. This intercept is interpreted to be the down-plunge continuation of the F2 gold system and demonstrates the excellent potential for further high-grade gold throughout this area. Hole F2-52 also returned numerous additional significant gold intercepts over a broad interval at moderate depths (see Table 1). In addition, holes F2-52 and F2-56 intersected thick, near surface mineralization including 0.12 oz/ton gold over 84.0 feet (4.1 g/t gold over 25.6 metres). These broad, near surface zones contain several higher grade gold intervals (see Table 1) and offer excellent potential for further gold discoveries down plunge to the southwest. These will be drill-tested by holes collared on the 400 foot level from underground which is scheduled to commence by the end of May, 2009. Gold mineralization remains open further to the southwest and to depth.

Footwall East area ------------------

One reconnaissance drill hole located approximately 1.4 kilometres to the northeast of the F2 Zone was completed and intersected 0.37 oz/ton gold over 3.3 feet (12.8 g/t gold over 1.0 metres) and 0.1 oz/ton gold over 9.8 feet (3.6 g/t gold over 3.0 metres) in mafic host rocks. The presence of gold bearing units in this major step out is encouraging and demonstrates potential for new gold discoveries well beyond the extensive F2 gold system itself.

"We are very encouraged that high-grade gold zones continue to be intersected in every new area we drill at F2. When we review all of our data to date, based on over 45,000 metres of drilling, we see that the F2 basalts, which are the preferred host for gold mineralization, display good continuity. We now recognize that these gold-mineralized F2 basalts can be traced 700 metres laterally and up to 1101 metres vertically. Within this area, drilling to date has been very successful in consistently intersecting significant gold mineralization. While this drilling has documented extensive gold mineralization to date, only a small part of the total identified target area has been drill tested and thus the potential for further expansion of the F2 gold system is considered to be very high. This expansion of the F2 Gold System is the goal of our recently announced 80,000-metre drill program, which has just commenced" stated David Adamson, President and CEO.

Underground Update ------------------

Dewatering of underground workings is complete and rehabilitation of the underground workings, which are in good condition, is underway. It is anticipated that drilling from the 400 foot level and the start of shaft deepening will commence before the end of May, 2009.

Rubicon Minerals Corporation is a well-funded exploration and development company, focusing on exploring for gold in politically safe jurisdictions with high geological potential. Rubicon controls over 65,000 acres of prime exploration ground in the prolific Red Lake gold district of Ontario which hosts Goldcorp's high-grade, world class Red Lake Mine. In addition to its Red Lake holdings, Rubicon controls over 380,000 acres surrounding the Pogo Mine in Alaska as well as 225,000 acres in northeast Nevada. Rob McEwen, President and CEO of McEwen Capital and former Chairman and CEO of Goldcorp, owns 25% of the issued shares of the Company.

    RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION
    "David W. Adamson"
    President & CEO