Toronto, Ontario, March 18, 2008 - Noront Resources Ltd. "Noront" (TSX Venture: NOT) is pleased to announce a further significant diamond drill intersection from the Company's Windfall Lake Property situated in Urban Township in the Abitibi Region of Quebec.

Hole NOT-07-175 was one of 15 holes (221.85 m) drilled in conjunction with crown pillar and hydro geological studies required by provincial regulations that deal with underground work in the vicinity of water bodies. Following completion of geotechnical studies the core from these holes was returned to Noront for geological evaluation and the mineralized sections were then sampled and submitted. No significant assays were reported in the remaining 14 holes.

NOT-07-175 (9+62 mW, 9+95 mN, azimuth 0�, dip -90�, NQ size) was completed to 16.76 m yielding 143.30 g/t gold over 3.22 metres (4.18 oz/t gold over 10.6 feet). True width of this interval is unknown at this time.



Patrick Chance, the QP, observed finely disseminated native gold at several locations in the higher grade intervals in amounts and grain sizes that are consistent with analytical data reported by Bourlamaque Assay Laboratory. The intersection confirms the extension of Murgor's F-17 zone towards surface. An exploration drift will enter this zone at about 60 m below surface during 2008.

Noront proposes to complete several short surface holes to confirm and better define the extent of high grade mineralization in the vicinity of NOT-07-175.

The hole was drilled on the portion of the property held under option from Freewest Resources Canada Inc. (FWR:TSX-V) and Murgor Resources Inc. (MUG:TSX-V) (see Noront press release of Feb 5, 2007).

The Company anticipates that Monterie Expert, the Company's underground contractor, will take the first ramp round by the end of the week of 17 March. Monterie Expert is currently installing surface plant and facilities and plans to complete mobilization of heavy equipment in advance of the annual highway load limit season.

Noront expects to complete Phase 1 of the underground program before the end of 2008. This phase will enter the F-11, F-17 and NOT-06-100 areas up to 100 m below surface.

Hole NOT-07-175 was one of 15 holes (221.85 m) drilled in support of geotechnical and hydrological studies by Forage Abitibi under the supervision of Qualities Montr�al, "Montr�al", a geotechnical subcontractor. The core was processed offsite in Montr�al and subsequently returned to Noront's custody at which time mineralized intervals were selected for assay by an experienced geological technician employed by Noront. This hole was not drilled according to prescribed Noront protocols, as it was drilled to satisfy provincial regulations, however Patrick Chance, the company's QP on the project is satisfied that the integrity of the data has not been comprised in any way.

Samples are taken from (NQ) diamond drill core which is sawed in half, packaged and delivered to Bourlamaque Assay Laboratory for analysis. The remaining half core is stored in a secure location for future reference and further testing. All samples are assayed using a 30-gram fire assay charge with an atomic absorption finish (for which the upper detection limit is 10 g/t). Samples reporting >2 g/t are re-assayed in duplicate using aliquots of the original pulp and of an additional split of the coarse rejects. The re-assay method also comprises a 30 g charge but employs a gravimetric finish.

Noront designates samples in batches of 20.. The assay laboratory reports its internal standards, and blanks and duplicates. The Bourlamaque Assay Lab holds a certificate of laboratory proficiency for the analysis of gold issued under the Proficiency Testing Program for Mineral Analysis Laboratories which is administered by CANMET.

Gold assays are reported to the company in parts per million (ppm) and reported publicly by the company in grams per tonne (1 ppm = 1 gram per tonne). Conversions to ounces per ton (oz/ton) on the tables above employ a factor of 34.2857 grams per tonne equaling 1 troy ounce per short ton. Lengths are reported in meters and are converted to feet by dividing by 0.3048 m/ft (1 foot = 0.3048 m).

One of the qualified persons responsible for overseeing and reviewing the technical data on the Windfall Lake project is Patrick Chance P.Eng. The technical information prepared for disclosure in this Noront news release has been approved by Mr. Chance.

The diamond drill program was completed in an orderly fashion as determined by the Company's geological team including Tracy Armstrong, P.Geo., (a qualified geologist in the Province of Quebec) of P & E Mining Consultants Inc.

Freewest is a well-funded mineral exploration company exploring for gold, base-metals and uranium within Eastern Canada. Corporate information can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.freewest.com. Freewest's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FWR.

For further information please contact:

Mackenzie I. Watson
President and CEO
Tel: (514) 878-3551 or 1-888-878-3551
Fax: (514) 878-4427
E-mail: info@freewest.com
Website: http://www.freewest.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.