Vancouver, B.C. - July 24, 2012 - Westhaven Ventures Inc. (WHN-TSX:V) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first phase of work on its BEN gold property, located approximately 50 km northeast of Williams Lake, British Columbia.  The Company has staked an additional 1,200 hectares of prospective geology, bringing the total BEN land package to 14,576 hectares (145.76 km2).

"This first phase of exploration at the BEN gold property was successful in detecting further drill targets for the upcoming drill program. We’ve also expanded the area of interest considerably through the discovery of a new mineralized area that produced encouraging assay values in both gold and pathfinder elements.” stated Shaun Pollard, CFO and Director.

A total of 12 line kilometres of widely spaced Induced Polarization (IP) surveys were completed over geochemical soil and rock anomalies identified by prior explorers. Furthermore, mapping and prospecting were carried out leading to the collection of numerous rock and soil samples. Encouraging results from both the IP survey and geochemical samples have helped to enhance drill targets.

Several outcrops of intensely silicified meta-volcanics with listawanite and mariposite (all positive features that may be associated with gold mineralization) were discovered just off the original BEN claim package on open ground, which has since been staked by Westhaven. The new zone is located approximately 8 kilometres to the southeast of the Main showing, which has increased the potential of the property along strike. Surface grab samples in this new area returned assays up to 69 ppb Au, 865 ppm As and 7532 ppb Hg. Grab sample assays from the program include:

Main Showing

New Showing

"Volatile elements such as arsenic and mercury are frequently used as pathfinder elements in geochemical exploration for deeper seated gold deposits. We're encouraged by these analytical values and look forward to following up on a second phase of work." stated Victor Tanaka, P.Geo and Director.

Upcoming Plans

Westhaven’s intention is to follow up recent work with additional prospecting, sampling and mapping with a view to drilling once the necessary permits are in place.

BEN Gold Property

The property is extensively overburden covered, however anomalous gold values in soils up to 650 ppb occur sporadically over a 6 kilometre strike length and 400 metre width. The Main Zone on North Ben Creek shows several stages of silica flooding quartz veining, and re-brecciation. In-situ rock samples from the Main Zone quartz-carbonate breccia returned rock chip results of 220 ppb Au, 573 ppm As, 249 ppm Sb, 1900ppb Hg and 981 ppm Ni.

Geological references suggest similarities exist between the Main Zone and major gold bearing areas in British Columbia including Atlin and the Bralorne gold camp. There is also similarity in alteration and structure with gold bearing areas of the Motherlode trend of Southern California. All have strong listwanite alteration zones as well as dominant structural trends. Please refer to Westhaven’s website (http://westhavenventures.com/projects/ben_property/) for more information on the property. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors
WESTHAVEN VENTURES INC.

"Gareth Thomas"

Gareth Thomas, Director

About Westhaven Ventures Inc.

Westhaven Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective resource properties. Westhaven is focused on advancing its Shovelnose gold and BEN projects in British Columbia. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN.

For further information, please contact Gareth Thomas at 604-681-5558 or visit Westhaven’s website at www.westhavenventures.com

Qualified Person Statement

V.A. Tanaka, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 has read and takes responsibility for this release.

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.