EXPLORATION ROUNDUP — Placer extends depth of Samira deposit

Deep drilling by Placer Dome (PDG-T) on the Samira deposit in Niger has traced the main gold-bearing zone a further 50 metres to a vertical depth of 280 metres.

From the five reported holes, the significant intercepts are: * 40.5 metres (from 265.5 to 306 metres) grading 2.62 grams gold per tonne in hole 90B;

* 30 metres (218 to 248.5 metres) of 3.52 grams, including 16 metres (232.5 to 248.5 metres) of 5.7 grams in hole 91;

* 22 metres (258 to 280 metres) of 1.98 grams, including 7 metres (273 to 280 metres) of 3.32 grams in hole 92;

* 3 metres (219 to 222 metres) of 2.06 grams in hole 93; and * 33.5 metres (285 to 318.5 metres) of 4.43 grams, including 7 metres (310 to 317 metres) of 12.13 grams in hole 94.

Hole 93 did not intersect the Main zone and thus delineates the zone’s western extent. Placer is continuing to drill the Main zone down-plunge and to the east.

The major is exploring Samira, which lies within Etruscan Resources’ (EET-T) 1,241-sq.-km Tiawa gold concession, as part of a revised agreement with Etruscan, whereby Placer can earn a 51% interest in Tiawa by paying US$60 million to Etruscan and spending US$10 million on exploration. Furthermore, to complete a scoping study at Samira, Placer must spend an additional US$500,000.

Placer has assessed the combined Placer-Etruscan data for the Boulon Djounga West, Tondi Boubangou, Tiawa East and Tongou Tonguey areas. Its crews are currently conducting regional geochemical and geophysical surveys, geological mapping, rapid-air-blast and auger drilling in order to complete a property-wide evaluation.