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Additional Positive Infill and Expansion Drilling Results at Bomboré

May 13, 2010

 

Highlights Include 21m at 1.41 g/t and 19m at 1.07 g/t

A Second Extension Identified with 2km of Artisanal Workings

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Orezone Gold Corporation ( ORE : TSX ) is pleased to announce positive results from  an additional 81 holes of infill drilling at its Bomboré Gold Project in Burkina Faso, West Africa.  The goal of the 42,500m RC infill and expansion drilling program is to upgrade and expand the current near surface oxide resources in Q3 to be followed by a preliminary economic assessment of the project in Q4.  An initial comparison of the new infill results to the older geological model indicates that the depth of oxidation is about 15% greater than expected within the Maga deposit area, about 10% greater within the P8P9 deposit area, and that the average width and grade of the mineralization is broadly in line with the model.  Infill drilling has clearly defined improved continuity in discrete higher grade zones within the larger lower grade envelope.  At the NE end of the P8P9-CFU deposit a possible 2km NE extension has been identified that includes historical artisanal workings.  This area amongst others will receive more drilling in the subsequent programs.   

The Bomboré project consists of several deposits along a 9km trend with an additional 2.5km of possible extension recently identified and drill tested.  Results in this release include the final infill holes in the Maga deposit at the north end of the 9km trend. The first 85 holes were announced on April 12th, 2010.  Drilling of the 42,500m was completed on April 30, however only 67% of the samples have been prepared at the laboratory and only 35% of the samples have been analyzed to date.  Results are expected to continue into July.  

“Results to date indicate the potential for significant extensions, an increase in resource tonnage and grade along with improved continuity from section to section in the higher grade areas,” said Pascal Marquis, V.P. Exploration for Orezone.  All of these attributes will contribute to improving the project economics in the preliminary assessment.  A complete table of results can be found on the Orezone website.  Please note that a complete statistical analysis of the results has not yet been completed.

 

Table 1: Highlights from recent Bomboré Infill and Expansion RC Drilling

PROSPECT SECTION HOLE FROM TO LENGTH Au g/t Comment
CFU 3500 BBC0766 1.00 15.00 14.00 0.99 New - Expansion
CFU 3500 BBC0767 29.00 44.00 15.00 0.90 New - Expansion
CFU 3500 BBC0768 84.00 96.00 12.00 1.37 New - Expansion
CFU 3350 BBC0778 60.00 65.00 5.00 2.26 New
CFU 3350 BBC0778 77.00 82.00 5.00 4.14 New
CFU 3350 BBC0779 6.00 25.00 19.00 1.07 New
CFU 3250 BBC0786 28.00 45.00 17.00 0.62 New
CFU 3200 BBC0795 32.00 53.00 21.00 1.41 New
CFU 3150 BBC0794 52.00 56.00 4.00 2.83 New
Maga 3250 BBC0744 2.00 18.00 16.00 0.88 New
Maga 3250 BBC0745 16.00 34.00 18.00 0.67 New
Maga 2975 BBC0757 15.00 41.00 26.00 0.50 New
Maga 2900 BBC0756 5.00 21.00 16.00 0.88 New
Maga 2900 BBC0756 37.00 60.00 23.00 0.46 New
P8P9 2150 BBC0824 6.00 15.00 9.00 1.61 New
P8P9 2150 BBC0824 52.00 68.00 16.00 0.71 New

The RC drilling samples were divided by Orezone employees using Rotary Sample Dividers (RSDs). A 2kg split was prepared by Abilab Burkina s.a.r.l. (a subsidiary of ALS-Chemex) and SGS Burkina Faso s.a.r.l., and then split by Orezone to 1kg using RSDs. A 1kg aliquot was analyzed for leachable gold at BIGS Global Burkina s.a.r.l in Ouagadougou, by bottle-roll cyanidation using a LeachWellTM catalyst. Orezone employs a rigorous Quality Control Program (QCP) including a minimum of 15% standards, blanks and duplicates. This program was executed under the supervision of Dr. Pascal Marquis, V.P. Exploration for Orezone, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and approved the technical information in this release.

The Bomboré Project is located 85km east of the capital city of Ouagadougou along a major national highway.  The deposit has a total Indicated resource of 0.93Moz (contained in 49.4Mt at a grade of 0.59g/t) and an Inferred resource of 1.78Moz (contained within 91.8Mt at a grade of 0.61g/t).  The grade of the resource is based on approximately 65,000 assay results, including about 44,000 assays from bottle-roll cyanidation extraction (not a complete extraction), therefore understating the in-situ grade of the resource.  Approximately one half of the current resource is oxidized and occurs essentially within 50m from surface.  The above mentioned drill programs are designed to upgrade and expand the oxidized resource in order to complete a preliminary assessment for a heap leach operation.  Detailed metallurgical results to date indicate average heap leach recoveries of 80%, with an average consumption of 0.25kg/t of cyanide and 6kg/t of cement.  The topography, drainage and rainfall are suitable to construct a large water reservoir without negatively impacting those down stream.  The project footprint is in an area of low population density and an international power grid is expected to be constructed in the near future.  These infrastructure advantages will translate into reduced project development and operating costs.

Orezone is a gold exploration and development company with more than 15 years experience in West Africa, one of the world’s fastest growing gold producing regions.  Orezone delineated, permitted, and developed Burkina Faso’s largest gold deposit (Essakane) before it was bought by IAMGOLD for $350M.  Orezone continues to focus on developing the rest of its pipeline of advanced gold projects including Bomboré, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Burkina Faso.  Orezone’s mission is to create wealth by discovering and developing gold resources in an efficient and responsible manner for the benefit of its shareholders and other stakeholders.

 

For further information please contact Orezone at (613) 241-3699 or Toll Free (888) 673-0663   

Ron Little, CEO, rlittle@orezone.com       Pascal Marquis, V.P. Exploration, pmarquis@orezone.com

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are frequently characterized by words such as “plan,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.