VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 24, 2008 -- Ventana Gold Corp. ("Ventana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has appointed Richard W. Warke as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), and Susan Rubin as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective immediately. Bruce Nicol will be resigning as CFO of Ventana, but will be available to support Ms. Rubin during the transition.

Richard W. Warke is Chairman and founder of Augusta Resource Corporation with more than 20 years experience in corporate finance, administration and marketing in the resource sector. Susan Rubin is a Chartered Accountant registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C., with more than 20 years financial, consulting and operational experience. Ms. Rubin has worked as Corporate Controller for a number of public companies in the high-tech, biotech and oil and gas industries, and is a member of Financial Executives International.

Management extends its appreciation to Mr. Nicol for his contributions to the Company over the past two years. President Don Clark says, "It is an exciting time for Ventana as we work towards defining a compliant mineral resource statement and move to become listed on a Canadian stock exchange."

The Company announces the granting of 1,650,000 stock options to directors, officers and employees of the Company at an exercise price of $1.60 per share for a period of five years expiring on July 24, 2013.

ABOUT VENTANA GOLD CORP. - Ventana currently holds 3,892 hectares of exploration property, in the California-Vetas gold district in Colombia, of which 3,710 hectares are wholly-owned with the remainder under option to acquire a 100% interest. The Company is currently drilling at La Bodega, a property lying adjacent to Greystar Resources' Angostura gold-silver deposit.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ventana,

Don Clark, President and Director

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described from time to time in Ventana's latest quarterly report and management discussion and analysis. Ventana assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No stock exchange has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

     Contacts:
     Ventana Gold Corp.
     Marlo Hamer-Jackson
     Investor Relations Manager
     (604) 687-1717
     (604) 687-1715 (FAX)
     Email: info@ventanagold.com
     Website: http://www.ventanagold.com