TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Feb. 21, 2017) – Arena Minerals Inc., (TSX VENTURE:AN) (“Arena” or the “Company“) is pleased to report that the Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation (“JOGMEC”) and Arena joint venture has received drilling permits for the Pampa Union drill program that forms part of the US$17.5 million JOGMEC joint venture. The exploration program has been designed to complete a 1.5 kilometre grid spacing drill pattern over Pampa Union as well as follow-up on previous successes. Drill hole PU-RC-39, drilled in the north-western portion of the Pampa Union block, intersected a lithocap, alteration and pyrite shell characteristic of a porphyry system down to a total depth of 441 metres below surface. The follow-up 241 platform drill program has met all necessary environmental, health and safety, fresh water resource management, archeological, communal, fauna and flora standards and was officially approved by the National Environmental Assessment Service in Santiago.