TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/02/09 -- Verena Minerals Corporation (TSX VENTURE: VML) ("Verena" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") to raise proceeds of up to $500,000 and that it has closed the first tranche of the Offering on June 26, 2009 for aggregate proceeds of $256,740.

The Offering is for an aggregate of up to 4,166,667 units in the capital of Verena (each a "Unit") at a purchase price of $0.12 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share (each a "Share") and one half (1/2) non-transferable purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), where each whole Warrant is exercisable for a period of eighteen (18) months after closing to purchase one (1) additional common share of Verena at a purchase price of $0.20 per Share.

No commissions or finder's fees were payable by the Company pursuant to the Offering. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will all be subject to a four (4) month statutory hold commencing from the date of issuance. The Offering is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of requisite regulatory filings.

The proceeds raised under this Offering will be used by Verena to finance exploration and development expenditures on its resource properties as well as working capital and general corporate purposes.

About Verena

Verena Minerals Corporation is a Canadian based mineral exploration company with an outstanding portfolio of properties including gold, diamonds and gemstones in Brazil. Verena's prime focus is on advancing and expanding its 100% owned Volta Grande Project, located in Para State. Verena has a strategic alliance with Kinross Gold Corporation, which holds 7.0% of the common shares of Verena and is earning an interest in the Monte do Carmo and Patrocinio gold projects. Verena also operates the Lavrinha gold project and controls a portfolio of diamond and gem properties. Verena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and has approximately 97.3 million common shares issued and outstanding.

Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information

This press release may include forward looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Forward looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is currently expected. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, refer to Verena's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.verena.com.

Neither 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.