Replies to post #1894 on Gold Exploration in West Africa

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Semafo (SMF.TO): more gold under Burkina Faso pit

SEMAFO Diamond Drilling Program Successfully Expands Wona Mineralisation At-Depth

SEMAFO TSX-SMF

MONTREAL, Sept. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - SEMAFO (TSX: SMF) today announced its most recent drilling results which demonstrate a significant high-grade lode just below the bottom of the Wona North pit at the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso.

The Company's 2009 exploration program at Mana began in April. As at August 31, a total of 18,342 meters of drilling have been completed; drill holes WDC 80 up to WDC 129, which remains in progress. Meanwhile, assays results have been received up to hole WDC 116.

The current drilling program confirms the NE at-depth high-grade extension of the Wona zone. Initial reference to this potential mineralization was made in SEMAFO's press release dated March 24, 2008, while further updates were released on June 17, June 30, and August 8, 2008 as well as those published February 25, March 2, June 30 and August 10, 2009.

Recent drilling results not only support the presence of significant mineralized zones at-depth, but some holes significantly extend the lateral and depth of the mineralized zones. Hole WDC 106 extends the main recognized lode at-depth, while holes WDC 102 and WDC 104 confirm the continuity of the strong mineralization from the Wona main pit on-surface towards its known 25-degree plunge. Mining studies are currently planned in order to determine the optimal mining approach to this portion of the deposit. Holes WDC 105 and WDC 108 suggest the presence of a second parallel lode below and to the south. Also of importance is hole WDC 115 which supports the interpreted re-swelling of the main ore-shoot along the plunge, past an apparent pinch in the mineralization. The presence of higher grade internal intervals within the section offers optimism to add significant mineralization at-depth. Hole WDC 115 is the deepest hole drilled to date along the plunge direction. Follow up drilling is scheduled over the most promising areas for expansion.

Detailed geological descriptions of the diamond drill core have highlighted a strongly sericitized and carbonatized host rock associated with the mineralization. Moreover, a spatial relationship was recognized between the silicified mineralized zones and intrusive dykes of various compositions. The anisotropy caused by these intrusives is believed to have channeled the mineralizing fluids. Significant intensity of fracturing could have been generated by the difference in competency between the intrusive dykes and the host rocks.

The following table presents the drill results including the main mineralized intersections and high-grade values.

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DDH Intersections At-Depth Wona NE Extension
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Hole No. Section From To Au / Length*
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WDC100 16900 445.3 446.3 1.6 g/t / 1 m
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WDC102 16700 271.4 292.7 3.3 g/t / 21.3 m
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Including 271.4 276.4 4.5 g/t / 5 m
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WDC103 16950 326.3 365 3.7 g/t / 38.7 m
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WDC104 16650 124.7 142.7 2.7 g/t / 18 m
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Including 124.7 133.7 3.8 g/t / 9 m
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WDC105 16600 335.1 339.4 2.9 g/t / 4.3 m
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WDC106 16950 380.9 393 3.3 g/t / 12.1 m
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WDC107 17100 629.6 633.6 4.3 g/t /4 m
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WDC108 16500 338.3 353.7 3.1 g/t / 15.4 m
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Including 338.3 343.8 3.7 g/t / 5.5 m
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WDC109 17050 217.8 231 2 g/t / 13.2 m
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DDH Intersections At-Depth Wona NE Extension
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WDC112 17250 273.3 275.5 2.8 g/t / 2.2 m
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WDC113 17700 350.5 352.5 2.6 g/t / 2 m
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WDC114 17250 315 321.2 3.1 g/t / 6.2 m
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WDC114 17250 324.2 333 2.8 g/t / 8.8 m
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WDC115 17400 541.7 570.1 1.7 g/t / 28.4 m
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WDC116 17000 483.8 486.6 2.6 g/t / 2.8 m
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* All lengths are measured along the hole axis; additional information
is required to determine true widths.

Notes WDC 101 Hole not completed; to be redone
WDC 110 Hole interrupted due to strong deviation; to be redone
as WDC130
WDC 111 Drilling rod broke in hole; to be redone as WDC127

The drill holes described above are presented on the attached longitudinal section (http://files.newswire.ca/357/section.doc) displaying contoured grade-thickness product. The longitudinal schematic shows the mineralization trend along with previously reported drill holes and upcoming targets to be tested.

The drilling programs were designed and managed locally by Dofinta Bondé, Mana Mineral's Exploration Chief Geologist, supported by Donald Trudel, experienced mine and exploration professional geologist, and guided and supervised under the direction of Michel Crevier, P.Geo MScA, Geology Manager and SEMAFO's Qualified Person who has reviewed this press release for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.

All individual samples represent approximately one-meter in length of core which was sawn in half. Half of the core is kept on site for reference and its counterpart is sent for preparation and gold assaying at the ALS Chemex laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Each sample is fire-assayed for gold content on a 50-gram sub-sample at the same ALS Chemex laboratories. In addition to ALS Chemex's own QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) program, an internal quality control and quality assurance program is in place throughout the sampling program, using blind duplicates, blanks and recognized industry standards.

Mana has a total of 908,600 ounces of gold mineral reserves, 1,021,400 ounces of measured and indicated resources and 508,200 ounces of inferred resources as at December 31, 2008.

About SEMAFO

SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Company currently operates three gold mines in Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest, while maintaining principles and strengthening relationships to increase shareholder value.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as "support", "planned", "suggest", "optimism", "believed", "could", "trend", "upcoming", "targets", "evolve", "become", "maintaining", "strengthening", "increase" and other similar expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include our ability to continue or complete our (i) 2009 exploration program, (ii) mining studies to determine the optimal mining approach to the stated portion of the deposit, (iii) scheduled follow up drilling over the most promising areas for expansion, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources and other risks described in the Company's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company is of the opinion that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Readers can find further information with respect to risks in the Company's Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

For further information: SEMAFO: Benoit La Salle, President & CEO, [phone], Toll-Free: 1 [phone], [e-mail]; Jean-Paul Blais, Communications, [phone], Toll-Free: 1 [phone], [e-mail]