Helio reports excellent metallurgical testwork results from the Porcupine target, SMP Gold Project, Tanzania

Helio Resource Corp. ("Helio" or the "Company") (TSX-V: HRC) is very pleased to report the first metallurgical testwork results from the Porcupine target at the SMP gold project.

Summary results include:

      -  Optimum circuit responses (% Au recoveries) as follows:
           - 94.8% by Whole Ore Flotation
           - 93.4% by Gravity Separation + Gravity Tailing Flotation
           - 91.9% by Gravity Separation + Flotation Concentrate Cyanidation
           - 89.1% by Gravity Separation + Gravity Tailing Cyanidation
           - 88.9% by Whole Ore Cyanidation
           - 22.0% by Gravity Separation
      -  Bond ball mill work index of 15.7 (metric) - "moderately hard"
      -  No preg-robbing activity detected
      -  Low cyanide consumption
      -  Tailings should be non-acid generating and free from environmentally
         deleterious elements

Of particular note is that in one of the whole ore floatation tests, conducted on material with a relatively coarse grind size of 256 microns, recoveries of 90.5% were achieved.

The results are in line with the very positive metallurgical results previously obtained from the Kenge target, which showed gold recoveries of up to 96% could be achieved through conventional processes (see Company press release dated August 11, 2008).

The testwork was undertaken by SGS Lakefield Research Limited ("SGS") in Ontario, Canada on a drill core sample from the Porcupine target. Tests included head grade analysis, mineralogical evaluation, comminution testwork, gravity separation, flotation, cyanidation (of whole ore, gravity tailing and flotation concentrate) and preliminary environmental testing. Further information and the full results of the metallurgical testwork are available in a report from SGS available on the Company's website at www.helioresource.com/i/pdf/Porcupine-Metallurgical-Sep2009.pdf.

A 50kg test sample was made up of the counterpart half-core from diamond drill hole GPD4. The intercept chosen assayed 49.63m @ 3.3g/t Au from 52.76m, including 0.6m @ 33.2g/t Au from 66.1m and 1.8m @ 39.1g/t Au from 69.4m (Company press release dated July 21, 2008). If all high-grade samples in GPD4 are cut to 15g/t Au, the intercept is 49.63m @ 2.2g/t Au. Head analysis of the bulk sample from GPD4 conducted during this metallurgical testwork by SGS indicates that the sample graded 2.4g/t Au.

The Company is very encouraged by these metallurgical test results, which confirm that the mineralogy and metallurgy of the mineralised material at Porcupine are very similar to that at Kenge. The results also support internal petrological, mineralogical and analytical studies indicating that: mineralised material from the Porcupine target has a simple mineralogy; gold recoveries by both gravity and conventional flotation / cyanidation processes should be high; and tailing materials should have a limited environmental impact.

Further metallurgical testwork is planned in order to optimise grinding sizes and flotation flowsheet configurations, together with studies of the potential amenability of Porcupine ore to heap leaching.

ABOUT THE SMP GOLD PROJECT

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Helio, through its 100% owned subsidiary BAFEX Tanzania Ltd., can earn a 100% interest in five contiguous licences, which cover a 35km strike length of the Saza Shear Zone. The project covers the New Saza Gold Mine, which was the second largest gold producer, behind the Geita Mine, in pre-Independence era Tanzania.

Since June 2006, the Company has drill-tested eleven targets, nine of which are hosted along the Saza Shear Zone. All eleven targets have intersected bedrock-hosted gold mineralisation, the most advanced being the Kenge and Porcupine Targets (see the Corporate Presentation on the Home Page of the Company's website at www.helioresource.com).

Chris MacKenzie, M.Sc., C.Geol., Helio's COO and a Qualified Person as designated by NI 43-101, supervises the exploration at the SMP project, including the sampling and quality assurance / quality control programmes, and has reviewed the contents of this news release. Half core was submitted to SGS Lakefield Research Limited in Ontario, Canada. Readers are referred to the full report ("An Investigation of the Recovery of Gold from a SMP Porcupine Target Sample" Project 11940-003 - Final Report dated August 28, 2009) which is posted on the Company's website at www.helioresource.com/i/pdf/Porcupine-Metallurgical-Sep2009.pdf.

                     ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      "Richard D. Williams"                        "Chris MacKenzie"
    Richard D. Williams, P.Geo             Christopher J. MacKenzie, C.Geol.
             CEO                                          COO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Helio Resource Corp.

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