Increased Quarterly Gold Production from the Black Fox Mine  

HALIFAX, NS - Brigus Gold Corp. reported that operations at its Black Fox Mine continue to ramp-up with increases in gold production continuing quarter over quarter as a result of processing higher average grade ore through the period. The third quarter ending September 30, 2010 ("Q3 2010") will be the best operational quarter for the mine since start up in May 2009 and higher production is anticipated again for the fourth quarter of 2010 ("Q4 2010").

For Q3 2010, open pit operations will exceed targets for ore and waste moved from the Phase 1 open pit and over burden moved for the Phase 2 layback of the open pit. To date for the quarter, ore production from the open pit has exceeded target and contributed to increases in surface stockpiles. The positive results are attributable to high equipment availability and operator performance, better than expected material quality and favourable weather conditions. The average gold head grade to the Black Fox Mill is forecast at 3.9 grams per tonne ("gpt") for Q3 2010, which is approximately15% higher than the 3.4 gpt grade in the second quarter of 2010 ("Q2 2010") and 44% higher than 2.7 gpt in the first quarter of 2010. Grade control practices in the open pit continue to improve and grades are expected to continue to meet plans moving forward. The mill through put rate for Q3 2010 is forecast at over 1,950 tonnes per day ("tpd"). The throughput rate was impacted by a 48-hour shutdown to replace an underperforming motor on the primary ball mill. Since the shutdown, the mill has consistently averaged over 2,000 tpd. Early in the quarter, mill recoveries suffered from high carbon attrition rates, directly related to receipt from a supplier of poor quality carbon. This problem was investigated and corrected but it took most of July to displace the carbon in circuit with fresh, better quality material. Despite mine production being in line with expectations, these processing issues have resulted in mill production short falls during the quarter. Gold production for the quarter is expected to be in the range of 21,000 to 22,000 ounces, which represents a 15% to 20% improvement over production levels of 18,028 ounces during Q2 2010. The company's address is Suite 2001, 1969 Upper Water Street, Purdy's Wharf Tower II, Halifax, NS B3J 3R7, (902) 422-1421, email: [email protected]