Rio Cristal Zinc Announces Name Change to Rio Cristal Resources

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and LIMA, PERU--(Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2009) - Rio Cristal Zinc Corporation (TSX VENTURE:RCZ) ("RCZ" or the "Company") announced today that it has received TSX Venture Exchange approval for its name change from "Rio Cristal Zinc Corporation" to "Rio Cristal Resources Corporation". The name change will take effect before market open on Monday, August 10, 2009. The Company's trading symbol will continue to be "RCZ". Thomas Findley, President and CEO, said, "The name change reflects a diversification of our exploration strategy. We are aware of excellent opportunities to acquire or joint venture early stage copper and gold properties in Peru and have therefore adopted a strategy to diversify our portfolio." This expanded exploration strategy is another key step being taken to add shareholder value to the Company. Earlier this year the Company undertook a program to drastically reduce costs including the rescheduling of option payments for the Company's flagship Charlotte Bongara property in northern Peru. In April, 2009 it restructured its management team and completed a C$780,000 non-brokered financing. About Rio Cristal Resources Corporation Rio Cristal Resources is a Canadian corporation focused on the discovery and further development of gold, copper and zinc deposits in Peru. The principal asset of RCZ is the Charlotte Bongara claim block located in northern Peru within an emerging Mississippi Valley-type zinc district. Additional information can be found on the Company's website, www.riocristalzinc.com. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential exploration results, future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future results, events and objectives could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Rio Cristal's expectations include exploration and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.