MONTREAL, Oct. 21 /CNW Telbec/ -- SEMAFO (TSX: SMF) today announced the results of a recent airborne geophysical survey of most of the Mana's 1,695 km2 property in Burkina Faso, Africa. The survey results clearly identify the Wona structural corridor, current host to the Wona open-pit gold mine, and suggest that the Wona shear zone corridor may extend over a distance of more than 30 kilometres (ref. Figure 1 http://files.newswire.ca/357/Semafo_fig1.doc). In addition, important similar lineaments are observed elsewhere over the 80-kilometer long property, either on strike or parallel to the Wona mine (ref. Figure 2 http://files.newswire.ca/357/Semafo_fig2.doc).

The ultra high-resolution low elevation helicopter borne magnetic and radiometric geophysical survey was conducted from August 16 to September 19, 2009. A total of 11,520 kilometres of lines were flown, using 100-metre line spacing.

The Wona gold mine and its potential extensions clearly responded to the magnetic survey as a linear magnetic trend, as shown in Figure 1. Hole WDC-130 further to the northeast (referenced in SEMAFO's press release dated October 13, 2009) also responded as a kilometric parallel structure to the northwest of the main Wona structure. Follow-up drilling on this new discovery is scheduled within the current core drilling program, designed to better define the Wona deep zones and explore proximal lateral extensions. The magnetic signature suggests that the Wona shear zone corridor which hosts the Wona deposits may extend across more than 30 kilometres.

The airborne survey, in conjunction with available geological and geophysical information, will be the focus of continued interpretation and serve as the basis of the forthcoming exploration program scheduled to begin this week. An initial budget of $5 million has been established for the program for the next 12-month period and includes more than 18,000 Auger drilling holes and surface mapping on selected priority target areas. A reverse circulation (RC) drilling program is also planned in order to test the economic viability of existing and newly defined targets. In addition, some core drilling will be performed on selected target areas in order to characterize the identified alteration and mineralization, as well as to obtain geological observations undetectable by means of RC drilling.

SEMAFO is of the view that the Mana property has excellent potential. The recently completed airborne survey was the initial step in the Company's predetermined systematic regional exploration program. The property has proven that both high-grade and large-tonnage deposits occur with the Wona and Nyafé zones, hence the focus of the upcoming program will be to identify and delineate new similar mineralized zones.

About SEMAFO

SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa.