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Vista Gold Corp. Receives Exploration Licenses and Announces Drill Results at Mt. Todd Project, Australia, and Reviews Cash Position

DENVER, Sept 04, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ: vista gold corp com new) (CA:VGZ) announced today that it has received four exploration licenses ("ELs") covering about 110,633 hectares primarily to the north- northeast of Vista's Mt. Todd gold mine in the Northern Territory, Australia. The ELs had been held in reserve status by the Northern Territory government prior to Vista acquiring the project. Vista's management believes exploration potential for gold and other minerals on these licenses to be good, and a program to systematically evaluate the mineral potential of this land is underway. Earlier work by past operators has identified Mt. Todd-type low- grade mineralization in a zone trending north-northeast of Mt. Todd and scattered prospects throughout the area covered by the ELs. Additionally, historical drill results indicate the presence of vein-type high-grade intercepts at various locations in the area covered by the ELs.
Vista has received initial gold assays for all of the 19 core drill holes completed at Mt. Todd earlier this year. Results for the first six core drill holes (one of which was abandoned due to difficult drilling conditions) were issued in Vista's press release dated May 30, 2007. Check assaying and assaying for other metals, including copper, is ongoing. The objectives of the program are to obtain information that supports the conversion of inferred gold resources to measured and indicated resources, to explore for additional resources on strike and down dip, to aid in the determination of the copper content of the deposit and to obtain samples for metallurgical testing.
The drilling program began February 1, 2007, and concluded on June 6, 2007, with 25 holes completed (including the one hole abandoned) for 9,883 meters of drilling, under the overall supervision of Robert Perry, CPG, Vista's Vice President of Exploration. Mr. Perry is a qualified person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The drill holes covered an area of 1,600 meters by 300 meters. Drill hole spacing of the holes drilled in this program varied from 30 to 300 meters, but spacing between these holes and holes drilled by previous operators was less than 50 meters. The core drilling was done by Titeline Drilling PL of Australia, and the assaying for gold is being done by Northern Australian Labs in Pine Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, with check assaying by ALS Chemex of Australia. ALS Chemex of Australia and NT Environmental Laboratories Pty. Ltd. of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia are doing multi-element analyses including copper. All holes were angle holes drilled to intersect mineralization at close to right angles; however, due to physical constraints and the complex nature of the deposit, true thickness of the drilled intervals cannot be assumed from the measured intercepts. Sampling and assaying methods are being conducted in accordance with the CIM Mineral Exploration Best Practices Guidelines. All samples taken were nominally one meter in length.

Small-capitalization stocks plunged after the first reported contraction in U.S. employment in four years suggested that what began as a financial and housing-market crisis is eating into economic growth.

"The overall question is: Are we headed into recession?" said Quincy Krosby, chief investment strategist at Hartford Financial. "Are these job numbers the harbinger of a recession unfolding?"

The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks Friday fell 17.13 points, or 2.16%, to 775.79. For the week, the Russell declined 2.2%, slipping back into the red ...

Small-capitalization stocks rose slightly along with the overall market as reports of economic growth and bustling superstores counterbalanced diminished odds of an interest-rate cut.

"It's been a battle all day between negative catalysts and positive," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist for Jefferies & Co. "Among the negatives, you had both the Bank of England and the European Central Bank not ease [interest rates]. That was a little bit of an eye-opener; it makes folks look at our central bank and say maybe the Fed doesn't need to ease ...

GOLDEN, Colo., Sept 05, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Canyon Resources Corporation (CAU: canyon resources corp com new) , a Colorado-based mining company, provides an update on its forward looking strategy. As a result of recent market turmoil, the management and Board of Canyon has conducted a critical review of the strategic plans of the Company. It is the Company's belief that the intrinsic value of its underlying cash, equipment, and property assets net of liabilities exceeds its current market value and that steps must be taken to unlock its unrecognized value for the benefit of its shareholders.
"Canyon has a wealth of mineral property interests and we believe that the capital markets are overly discounting their potential market value," stated James Hesketh, President and CEO of the Company.
The Company's primary goal is to re-establish gold production, either as a mine operator, joint venture partner or as a royalty holder. In order to achieve this goal, the Company will pursue either the sale or joint venture of those property assets which are either considered non-core or that require substantial capital to place into production. In the event of a sale of mineral properties, the Company's plan is to hold an ongoing interest in the form of either a joint venture position or a royalty.
"We believe that the sale or joint venture of these properties will help to unlock the fair value of these assets for our shareholders, while building our treasury in order to fund the future growth of the Company," said Mr. Hesketh. "This strategic direction will help us control the potential dilution risk of developing these assets ourselves. Management has begun implementation of this strategy."
The Company plans to delay the recently announced underground test mining at the Briggs Mine until the development can be funded through either a joint venture or can be funded in a manner that would minimize further dilution to our shareholders.
Canyon controls the Briggs Gold Mine and four satellite deposits in California; the Reward Gold Project near Beatty, Nevada; four gold exploration properties also in Nevada, including the advanced stage Adelaide and Tuscarora properties, and the Seven-Up Pete Gold Project near Lincoln, Montana. To date, the Company has developed in-place mineralized material on its properties containing over 1.9 million ounces of gold and substantial exploration potential is believed to exist. Canyon has developed re-start and underground test mining plans for its permitted Briggs Mine and is completing permitting and feasibility study work on its Reward Project. Since 1996 at Briggs, the Company has mined ores containing around 730,000 ounces of gold and has reported reserves and remaining in-place mineralized material containing approximately 840,000 ounces. The Company believes that this 1.6 million ounce property has substantial potential for additional gold discovery.
In addition to these assets, the Company is a carried partner on the Sand Creek-Converse uranium exploration joint venture project in the Southern Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Canyon owns over 900,000 acres of fee mineral rights in the State of Montana that contain identified industrial mineral and copper potential. Canyon also holds royalty interests on gold properties in Montana, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. In addition, the Company is a party to a takings suit against the State of Montana to recover value that was lost with the McDonald Gold Project due to changes in legislation resulting from an anti-cyanide ballot initiative.
For additional information on Canyon Resources, please visit our website at http://www.canyonresources.com.

* Canyon Resources Says Main Goal To Re-establish Gold Production

* Canyon Resources Says Capital Mkts 'Overly Discounting' Its Interests

* Canyon Resources Outlines Its Forward Looking Strategy

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho & LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Sep 05, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (CDE: CDE) (CA:CDM) ("Coeur") and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (CA:PJO) ("Palmarejo") announced today that a preliminary assessment report has been filed on the Palmarejo Project located in Northern Mexico. The purpose of this report is to provide details of the scoping study completed by Coeur that assumes mining at the Palmarejo Project takes place by both open pit and underground mining methods.
Under this scenario, annual production at the Palmarejo Project is anticipated to begin initially by open pit mining methods in late 2008. During the initial five years of operations, production is expected to average approximately 10.4 million ounces of recovered silver and 115,000 ounces of recovered gold with average cash operating costs of negative $0.41 per ounce of silver after gold by-product credits.

JOHANNESBURG, Sep 04, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Edited Press Release
Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HMY) Tuesday said it has signed formal agreements for the sale of its Orkney shafts located near Orkney in South Africa's North West province to Pamodzi Gold Ltd. (PZG.JO) for more than 550 million rand.
Pamodzi Gold has engaged Harmony in order to take management control of the Orkney operations under a contracting agreement by Oct. 1, prior to all conditions being met. Harmony has agreed in principle to this arrangement and said it envisages signing a formal agreement within the next three weeks.
The initial purchase consideration payable to Harmony by Pamodzi Gold for the Orkney shafts is equal to ZAR550 million, and a secondary consideration of 3% of the net smelter revenues in respect of the first one million ounces of gold produced by Orkney and 1.75% of the net smelter revenue in respect of all gold produced by the Orkney thereafter subject to a maximum aggregate amount of ZAR450 million.
The initial Orkney purchase consideration will be settled by Pamodzi Gold through the payment of a cash amounting to ZAR350 million and the issue of 9.27 million ordinary consideration shares to Harmony.

CHICAGO, Sept 07, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Seven Summits Research releases NewsBites on key stocks.
Seven Summits Strategic Investments NewsBites are available to all investors at:
http://www.go7now.com/nb/0907Z

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Choco 5 is a 5,000 hectare property located in the prolific El Callao gold mining district of Venezuela and is contiguous to Gold Fields Limited's (GFI: GFI) Choco 10 gold mine. At present there is one drill rig operating at Choco 5 and additional drills will be added based upon this program's results. Drill results are expected later this year.

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JOHANNESBURG, Sep 03, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI) Monday said the body of a miner missing since a seismic event at its Driefontein Gold Mine in South Africa has been found by members of the mine rescue team.
The miner, whose name is being withheld until his next of kin have been informed, had been working about 3,000 meters below the surface at the No. 5 Shaft when there was a rockfall.
Gold Fields said two of his companions received minor injuries and another was uninjured.
The National Union of Mineworkers, the country's largest mining industry union, said 12 miners have died at Gold Fields' operations this year.
Company Web site: http://www.goldfields.co.za

JOHANNESBURG, Sep 03, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI), Africa's second-largest gold producer, Monday said mining activity at a shaft in its Driefontein Gold Mine near Carletonville, South Africa, has been suspended while a search is undertaken for a missing miner.
The miner was working in a stope 3,000 meters below the surface Saturday at the No. 5 Shaft when there was a rockfall following a seismic event measuring 1.5 on the Richter Scale, the Johannesburg-based company said.
There were four employees working in the stope when the accident took place. Two received minor lacerations and were treated in hospital. Another worker was uninjured.
Gold Fields said mine rescue teams are engaged in the search for the missing worker.
Company Web site: http://www.goldfields.co.za

Prices for the metal -- and mining stocks -- are moving higher as investors look for protection from financial crises

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And shares of companies that mine the shiny stuff also benefited. The S&P Gold index gained 4.68% on Sept. 6, paced by major players Barrick Resources (ABX), which soared 8.4%, and Newmont Mining (NEM), which gained 4.3%.

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TORONTO, ONTARIO, Sep 07, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Kinross Gold Corporation (CA:K) (KGC: kinross gold corp com no par) announced today the establishment of the Kinross Professorship in Mining and Sustainability in partnership with the Department of Mining Engineering at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
The proposed new program of teaching and research at Queen's University will focus on two high-priority needs of the global mining industry.
First, it will help to address a serious shortfall in graduate mining engineers caused by unprecedented activity in the global mining industry and demand for skilled people. Second, it will facilitate development of innovative approaches to mining that ensure competitive positioning while maintaining compatibility with the evolving values and expectations of society - particularly those related to the environment and sustainability.
"The mining industry needs more engineering graduates with the skills to meet the challenge of responsible mining," said Tye Burt, President and CEO of Kinross. "That includes the ability to understand the expectations and aspirations of communities where we work, and to find 'win-win' approaches that support business objectives while also making a positive net contribution to the long-term economic and social well-being of the community."
"We're confident the teaching and research program of the Kinross Professorship in Mining and Sustainability will attract more top engineering students to the global opportunities of mining," he said. "We also believe it will help to build Canada's position as a leader in mining sustainability."
Queen's Principal, Dr. Karen Hitchcock, welcomed the contribution. "Our vision is one that emphasizes the need to strengthen our teaching and research capacity in ways that best contribute to society globally, particularly with respect to environmental, economic and social sustainability," she said. "A partnership such as this one with Kinross is a tremendous help to us in ensuring our success at doing so."
Queen's Dean of Applied Science, Dr. Kimberly Woodhouse further pointed out, "The evolution of the Canadian mining industry over the last several decades and the global context in which it operates is dramatic. Furthermore, the mining industry is facing a major shortage in skilled personnel. This contribution makes it possible for Queen's to maintain and enhance its leadership position in responding to that change."
Kinross has committed $500,000 over the next five years to establish the professorship, which will receive additional funding from the Faculty of Applied Science at Queen's University. The Professorship is a key step in Queen's Applied Science's strategy for addressing the needs and issues of the minerals sector through holistic approaches to undergraduate teaching, graduate study, and research.
Dr. R. Anthony Hodge has been appointed to the Kinross Professorship in Mining and Sustainability. Dr. Hodge is one of Canada's leading authorities on Sustainable Development in mining, and has accumulated an impressive list of credentials as a professional engineer and consultant to industry, an advisor to government, and an academic during the course of his distinguished career.
Dr. Laeeque Daneshmend, Acting Head of the Queen's Department of Mining Engineering spoke highly of Dr. Hodge. "He brings to us the unparalleled breadth and depth of experience at just the right time. In particular, he has a strong knowledge of the nature and needs of the mining industry while being sensitive to the values of broader society. We are very much looking forward to him joining our team."
Kinross Gold Corporation, a Canadian-based gold mining company, is the third largest gold producer by reserves in North America, with mines and development projects in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Russia, and Canada.

Contacts:
Media Contact:
Kinross Gold Corporation
Steve Mitchell
Director Corporate Communications
(416) 365-2726
Website: http://www.kinross.com

SOURCE: Kinross Gold Corporation

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Sep 06, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Linear Gold Corp. (CA:LRR: news, chart, profile) ("Linear") and Kinross Gold Corporation (CA:K) (KGC: kinross gold corp com no par) ("Kinross") are pleased to announce that they have reached a partnership agreement ("Agreement") with respect to exploration and potential future development of Linear's 98,000-hectare Ixhuatan Project, located in Chiapas, Mexico (the "Ixhuatan" or, the "Project").
Under the terms of the Agreement, Kinross will be operator and can earn up to a 70% interest in the Project by undertaking US$15 million of exploration expenditures and making payments to Linear of US$101 million plus a production decision fee of up to US$15 million. The Agreement is subject to the approval of the board of directors of both companies and the execution of a definitive agreement within 45 days.
Wade Dawe, Linear's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are confident that Kinross' significant exploration commitment will result in the discovery of new deposits within the Ixhuatan Project and believe that Kinross is an ideal partner for the future advancement of the Ixhuatan Project, including potential development and production."
Kinross' President and Chief Executive Officer, Tye Burt, said: "We view Linear as an excellent partner and the Ixhuatan Project as an exciting prospect. The property is a large, district-scale exploration target that could potentially host several significant deposits, and it is drill-ready for our exploration team to start working immediately. This project is a significant addition to our exploration portfolio and provides entry to a mining-friendly NAFTA nation."
Upon execution of the definitive agreement, Kinross will immediately pay Linear US$1.0 million, incur a minimum of US$15 million of expenditures on the Project within a 24-month period and will then have the option to acquire an initial 60% interest in the Project by paying Linear US$45 million. Kinross will have a further option to increase its interest in the Project to 70% by making an additional payment to Linear of US$55 million within 90 days of Kinross' board of directors approving the construction of a mine based on a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Sep 04, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- GOLDCORP INC. (CA:G) (GG: goldcorp inc new com) today provided an update on mine expansion and exploration progress at Red Lake Gold Mines in northwestern Ontario, Canada in advance of an analyst tour at the operation this week.
Following the integration of the two mines (Red Lake and Campbell) just over one year ago, the ongoing efforts of the management team have resulted in:
- the completion of the mill expansion with total site capacity increasing to approximately 3,100 tonnes per day;
- the commencement of operation of the new #3 shaft;
- the generation of significant operational synergies that are expected to maintain Red Lake's current low cash costs into the foreseeable future; and
- exciting new exploration discoveries in several areas of the property.
These investments and the associated productivity improvements will support the plan to grow Red Lake's gold production to over 1 million ounces per year by 2011.

SPOKANE, Wash., Sep 06, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gold Reserve Inc. (CA:GRZ) (GRZ: gold resv inc cl a) announced today that it has commenced drilling at its Choco 5 property in the El Callao region of Bolivar State in Southeastern Venezuela. The first phase drilling plan calls for approximately 2,500 meters of diamond core and is targeting an anomaly based on a 100 by 100 meter geochemical soil sampling grid. The exploration target was refined by ground magnetics and radiometric geophysical surveys.
Choco 5 is a 5,000 hectare property located in the prolific El Callao gold mining district of Venezuela and is contiguous to Gold Fields Limited's (GFI:
gold fields ltd new sponsored adr) Choco 10 gold mine. At present there is one drill rig operating at Choco 5 and additional drills will be added based upon this program's results. Drill results are expected later this year.
Gold Reserve Inc. is a Canadian company developing the Brisas gold copper project in Southeastern Venezuela. Brisas has NI-43-101 reserves of 485 million tonnes of ore grading 0.67 grams per tonne gold and 0.13% copper containing 10.4 million ounces of gold and 1.3 billion pounds of copper (using a revenue cutoff grade of US $3.04 per tonne and a gold price of US $400 and a copper price of US $1.15 per pound). The mine plan anticipates using conventional truck and shovel mining methods with the processing of ore at full production of 70,000 tonnes per day, yielding an average annual production of 456,000 ounces of gold and 60 million pounds of copper for a mine life of 18.5 years. Using copper as a byproduct, operating costs are expected to be US $126 per ounce (using US $1.80 copper). The Qualified Personnel for the NI 43-101 Report are Susan Poos of Marston and Marston, Inc. and Richard Addison and Richard Lambert of Pincock, Allen and Holt, all registered professional engineers.
For further information please see our update to the Company's NI-43-101 report at our website at http://www.goldreserveinc.com, investor relations, SEDAR Filings.

Board Continues to Recommend Shareholders Reject Inadequate Offer

RENO, Nev., Sep 07, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Meridian Gold Inc. ("Meridian Gold" or the "Company") (MDG: Meridian Gold Inc) (CA:MNG) today announced that the third parties with whom the Company has been having discussions have informed the Company that they do not intend to make proposals relating to an acquisition of Meridian Gold pursuant to the Board of Directors' previously announced value-maximizing process.
Brian Kennedy, Chairman of Meridian Gold's Board of Directors, said, "as we have previously disclosed, in connection with our Board's efforts to maximize shareholder value, we engaged in serious discussions with a number of interested parties relating to a potential strategic transaction. Although several parties expressed very serious interest in a potential acquisition of the Company, each of them has now informed the Company that, for their own internal reasons, they will not be submitting proposals at this time.
This in no way changes the Board's view that holding Meridian Gold shares is a superior value proposition to Yamana's inadequate offer. That view was further reinforced by the exciting exploration results we announced earlier this week. We reiterate our recommendation to shareholders to reject Yamana's unsolicited offer."
Any shareholders that have questions about tendering their shares or that have already tendered their shares and wish to withdraw their shares should contact Georgeson Shareholder at 1-888-605-7618.
About Meridian Gold
A unique mid-tier gold producer, with world-class mining operations in Chile and Nevada and a pipeline of promising exploration projects throughout the Americas, Meridian Gold's success to date has been based on grassroots gold discoveries and a low-cost strategy, resulting in a better approach to adding value and balancing growth. Meridian Gold strives to be "The Premier Value Gold Mining Company," while building a better future for all of its stakeholders.
Additional Information for Meridian Gold Shareholders
Shareholders of Meridian Gold and other interested parties are advised to read Meridian Gold's Directors' Circular and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 31, 2007 (including any amendments or supplements thereto and the other documents filed as exhibits thereto), because they contain important information. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Directors' Circular and Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9 at the Investor Relations section of Meridian Gold's website at http://www.meridiangold.com, or by contacting Georgeson Shareholder, the information agent retained by Meridian Gold, at 1-888-605-7618. Free copies of the Directors' Circular are also available at http://www.sedar.com and, together with Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9, at http://www.sec.gov. The Directors' Circular was filed by Meridian Gold as an exhibit to Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9.

Meridian Gold Issues Statement Regarding Ontario Securities Commission Ruling; Board Continues to Recommend Shareholders Reject Unsolicited Offer

RENO, Nev., Sep 05, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Meridian Gold Inc. ("Meridian Gold" or the "Company") (CA:MNG) (MDG: Meridian Gold Inc) today issued the following statement regarding the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") order which has the effect of cease trading the Meridian Gold shareholder rights plan effective 9:00 a.m., EDT, on September 11, 2007 in connection with the unsolicited offer to acquire common shares of the Company by Yamana Gold Inc. ("Yamana"), as extended until 8:00 p.m., EDT, on September 11, 2007:
"Today's ruling by the OSC in no way affects our Board's unanimous recommendation that Meridian Gold shareholders reject the Yamana offer and not tender their shares," stated Brian Kennedy, Chairman of Meridian Gold's Board of Directors. "We continue to strongly believe that holding Meridian Gold shares is preferable to accepting the inadequate Yamana offer and note that the Board of Directors' value maximization process remains ongoing."
Any shareholders that have questions about tendering their shares or who have already tendered their shares and wish to withdraw their shares should contact Georgeson Shareholder at 1-888-605-7618.
About Meridian Gold
A unique mid-tier gold producer, with world-class mining operations in Chile and Nevada and a pipeline of promising exploration projects throughout the Americas, Meridian Gold's success to date has been based on grassroots gold discoveries and a low-cost strategy, resulting in a better approach to adding value and balancing growth. Meridian Gold strives to be "The Premier Value Gold Mining Company," while building a better future for all of its stakeholders.
Additional Information for Meridian Gold Shareholders
Shareholders of Meridian Gold and other interested parties are advised to read Meridian Gold's Directors' Circular and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 31, 2007 (including any amendments or supplements thereto and the other documents filed as exhibits thereto), because they contain important information. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Directors' Circular and Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9 at the Investor Relations section of Meridian Gold's website at http://www.meridiangold.com, or by contacting Georgeson Shareholder, the information agent retained by Meridian Gold, at 1-888-605-7618. Free copies of the Directors' Circular are also available at http://www.sedar.com and, together with Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9, at http://www.sec.gov. The Directors' Circular was filed by Meridian Gold as an exhibit to Meridian Gold's Schedule 14D-9.