TSX:RMX / NYSE Amex:RBY

    - high-grade intercepts include 2.01 oz/ton gold over 13.1 feet (68.8
                         g/t gold over 4.0 metres)-
     - includes 10.76 oz/ton gold over 1.6 feet (368.9 g/t gold over 0.5
                                   metres)-

VANCOUVER, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Rubicon Minerals Corporation (RMX.TSX: RBY.NYSE AMEX) is pleased to announce new results from ongoing drilling at its 100%-controlled Phoenix Gold Project, located in the heart of the prolific Red Lake gold district of Ontario. The Company is conducting drilling to expand the F2 Gold Zone from which significant high-grade and bonanza-grade gold intercepts have been reported laterally over 580 metres and to depths of up to 1101 metres below surface (see news releases from March 12, 2008, onwards).

    F2 Zone northeast extension drilling
    -------------------------------------

New drilling in this area has returned 2.01 oz/ton gold over 13.1 feet (68.8 g/t gold over 4.0 metres) including 10.76 oz/ton gold over 1.6 feet (368.9 g/t gold over 0.5 metres) plus 1.01 oz/ton gold over 3.3 feet (34.6 g/t gold over 1.0 metres). See Table 1 for tabulated recent results and Figures 1 to 3 for drill hole locations. High-grade gold mineralization is hosted within sulphide-rich basalts which are similar to those at the core of the F2 Zone, located approximately 200 metres to the southwest. In the core of the F2 Zone, over 35,000 metres of drilling completed to date has identified numerous high-grade gold bearing zones extending from surface to 1101 metres below surface. For a complete tabulation of all significant results from the F2 Zone to date, please refer to the compilation table posted on the Company's website at www.rubiconminerals.com.

    These new intercepts are significant because:

    1)  They confirm that the F2 system continues to grow and is developed
        some 200 metres northeast of the core of the F2 Zone
        (see Figures 1-3).

    2)  Host basalts near surface in the northeast extension area are
        interpreted to extend to depth where three previous holes have
        intersected gold-bearing basalts between 653 metres and 782 metres
        below surface (see news releases dated July 8, 2008 and October 21,
        2008). This sparsely-drilled area outlines a large, highly
        prospective target area immediately adjacent to the core of the F2
        Zone where over 35,000 metres of drilling confirms gold
        mineralization extends from surface to 1101 metres below surface.
        Additional drilling is required to confirm if the northeastern area
        and the F2 Zone are part of the same gold system.

    F2 Zone southwest extension drilling
    -------------------------------------

New high-grade results immediately southwest of the core F2 Zone continue to confirm the presence of high grade gold in this area. Results include 1.24 oz/ton gold over 1.6 feet (42.44 g/t gold over 0.5 metres), 1.09 oz/ton over 3.3 feet (37.3 g/t gold over 1.0 metres) 0.91 oz/ton gold over 2.5 feet (31.03 g/t gold over 0.75 metres). Mineralization is closely associated with gold-bearing sulphide-rich intervals and is also developed within felsic intrusive rocks (Table 1).

"These new results continue to build on our previous twelve news releases detailing impressive gold intercepts at the F2 Zone since its discovery. Extensive drilling will be required to determine the extent of the F2 gold system which remains open in all directions. Following the closing of our recent $40 million financing, we are evaluating how best to achieve this goal and we expect to be announcing an expanded exploration program in the near term." stated David Adamson, President and CEO.

Rubicon is currently dewatering the Phoenix shaft and workings which are approximately 450 metres northwest of the F2 Zone. Dewatering is anticipated to be completed by the end of March and once complete, rehabilitation of the shaft will take place, followed by the initiation of the shaft extension to a depth of 350 metres below surface. Although the Company estimates it will take approximately three to four months to complete the shaft extension, a more accurate evaluation will be made once work is underway. Rubicon views the underground drilling to be a more effective method to explore and expand the F2 Zone as underground drilling is cost effective, flexible in terms of drilling direction and not subject to seasonal delays compared to surface drilling. In addition, access to underground exposures will provide valuable geological and structural information to better understand the F2 Zone.

Rubicon Minerals Corporation is a well-funded exploration company, focusing on exploring for gold in politically safe jurisdictions with high geological potential. Rubicon controls over 65,000 acres of prime exploration ground in the prolific Red Lake gold district of Ontario which hosts Goldcorp's high-grade, world class Red Lake Mine. In addition to its Red Lake holdings, Rubicon controls over 380,000 acres surrounding the Pogo Mine in Alaska as well as 225,000 acres in northeast Nevada. Rob McEwen, President and CEO of McEwen Capital and former Chairman and CEO of Goldcorp, owns 25% of the issued shares of the Company.

    RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION
    "David W. Adamson"
    President & CEO



                           Table 1: Assay Results
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hole          Depth to        Gold                      Gold
    Number       Centre (m)       (g/t)       Metres     (oz/ton)       Feet
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Northeast Extension Drilling
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-41           43            43.0           0.5        1.25         1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-41           74             5.1          48.0        0.15       157.4
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.           53           260.5           0.5        7.60         1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-41         114             4.9           3.0        0.14        
9.8
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-42           74             5.7           7.8        0.17        25.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.           75             6.2           7.0        0.18        23.0
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.           76            15.7           1.1        0.46         3.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-42           91             6.1           6.0        0.18        19.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.           93            18.5           1.0        0.54         3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-42          170             4.8          14.7        0.14        48.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.          164            20.1           0.7        0.59         2.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-44          32             9.2           2.5        0.27        
8.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-44           39           173.7           2.5        5.07         8.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.           38           854.1           0.5       24.91         1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-47         137            34.6           1.0        1.01        
3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-50         185             4.2           3.0        0.12        
9.8
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-57*      109            68.8           4.0        2.01       
13.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    incl.          109           368.9           0.5       10.76         1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Southwest Extension Drilling
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-42         663            15.5           4.0        0.45       
13.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.         663            19.7           3.0        0.57        
9.8
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.         663            37.4           1.2        1.09        
3.9
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-42          672           119.6           0.5        3.49         1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-40           74            26.9           1.0        0.79         3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-40          592             7.0           3.5        0.20        11.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.          592             8.0           3.0        0.23         9.8
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-40          598             3.7           6.0        0.11        19.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-40          721            16.7           1.0        0.49         3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-43          699             6.8           3.5        0.20        11.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incl.          698             8.7           2.5        0.25         8.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-43         965            10.8           1.0        0.32        
3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-48         114             5.3           4.0        0.16       
13.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-49         164             4.5           8.7        0.13       
28.4
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-51         447            31.0           0.8        0.91        
2.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-54*       56             4.3          13.0        0.13       
42.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    incl.          53            37.3           1.0        1.09        
3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-54*       84             4.2           6.0        0.12       
19.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    incl.          86             9.5           2.0        0.28        
6.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    incl.          86            12.8           1.0        0.37        
3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    F2-56*       51            12.1           2.0        0.35        
6.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    incl.          51            42.4           0.5        1.24        
1.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    New assay results this release - all assays uncut
    *Assay pending for portions of the hole

    Please visit: http://files.newswire.ca/617/RubiconMaps0323.pdf to view
Figure 1: Plan Map of the F2 Zone, Figure 2: Composite Cross Section Looking
Northeast and Figure 3: Composite Long Section Looking Northwest.


    Assaying and Qualified Person
    ------------------------------

Assays were conducted on sawn NQ-sized half core sections. Further drilling is required before the true widths of reported intercepts can be determined. Assays are uncut as is standard practice in Red Lake. The saw blade is routinely cleaned between samples when visible gold is noted during logging and sampling of the drill core. Assays were conducted by SGS Minerals Services using standard fire assa