Toronto, Ontario – February
15, 2012, Highvista Gold Inc. (“Highvista”
or the “Company”)
(TSX-V: HVV)
is pleased to report that it has identified several zones of high grade gold
and silver mineralization at the La Republicana target on its 100% owned
Canasta Dorada Gold Project, located within the Sonoran Gold Belt, in Sonora
State, Mexico.

The La Republicana target was identified through a surface mapping and sampling
program conducted during 2011.  Anomalous gold and silver has been
identified over a surface area measuring approximately 2,000 metres by 1,000
metres.  As reported in its January 12, 2012 press release, the mineralized
structure at the La Republicana target was intersected in two reverse
circulation drill holes located approximately 650 metres apart.  As a
follow-up to this drill program, Highvista completed an extensive rock chip
sampling program within the La Republicana target area.  A total of 106
samples (558 kilograms) were collected from surface outcrops and from historic
underground workings.  Several zones of high grade gold and silver were
identified (refer to Table 1).

Table 1: Significant
Rock Chip Samples at the La Republicana Target

Mineralization at La Republicana consists of a quartz stockwork zone within a
metarhyolite.  The mineralized structure is believed to extend to the
surface, both to the north and east, of drill hole CD-11-71.  Drill hole
CD-11-74, sited approximately 650 metres to the northwest of drill hole
CD-11-71, intersected what is believed to be the same mineralized
structure.  Of significant note, rock chip sample HV-2680 (mass of 3.3 kg,
sample width of 0.1 m), collected from an outcrop located approximately 40
metres to the north of drill hole CD-11-74, is the highest grade rock chip
sample collected to date at the Canasta Dorada Project.  This sample
assayed 220 g/t gold
and 525 g/t silver, and is believed to be the same mineralized
structure as was intersected in drill hole CD-11-74.

Highvista intends to complete a Phase 2 drill program at La Republicana early
in the second quarter of 2012 to drill test the high grade mineralized zones,
to infill between existing drill holes, and to test for extensions of the
mineralized structure.

Qualified Person

This press release was reviewed and prepared by Rick Adams, P. Eng., the
President, CEO and a Director of the Company, who is recognized as a Qualified
Person under the guidelines of National Instrument 43-101.

Quality Control –
Sample Preparation, Analysis and Security

All samples were recorded and delivered to the ALS Chemex sample preparation
lab in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico by trusted Company personnel or ALS Chemex
employees.  Pulps of each sample were prepared in Hermosillo and sent to
ALS Chemex, Vancouver, Canada, an ISO 9001-2000 certified full service
laboratory.  Each pulp was analyzed using 30g fire assay for gold with AAS
finish (ALS method Au-AA23), and a nitric aqua regia digestion using
conventional ICP-AES analysis for an additional 35 elements, including silver
(ALS method ME-ICP41). Over limit samples for gold were subject to 30g fire
assay with gravimetric finish (ALS code Au-GRA21) and over limit samples for
silver were subjected to an aqua regia (HNO3-HCl) digestion using conventional
ICP-AES analysis (ALS code Ag-OG46).

Details of quality assurance/quality control procedures for sample preparation,
analysis and security are reported in detail in the Canadian National
Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”)
compliant Technical Report filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com)
on September 27, 2011 for the Canasta Dorada Property.

About Highvista

Highvista owns 100% of a Mexican subsidiary that controls the 24,215 hectare
Canasta Dorada Gold Project.  This project is located in the Sonoran Gold
Belt immediately adjacent to AuRico Gold’s El Chanate Mine.

Details of Highvista’s Canasta Dorada Project can be viewed at the Company’s
website at www.highvistagold.com.

READER ADVISORY

Statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information
including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the Company’s
proposed drill programs.  In addition, information concerning the
interpretation of drill results and rock chip sampling results may also be
considered forward-looking statements as such information constitutes a
prediction of what mineralization might be found to be present if and when a
project is actually developed.  Any statements that are contained in this
press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be
forward looking statements.  The reader is cautioned that assumptions used
in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be
incorrect, including but not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to
raise sufficient capital to pay the exploration and development costs on the
properties, the availability of skilled labour, availability of equipment, and
future capital and operating costs.  Events or circumstances may cause
actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of
numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company.  Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information
include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund proposed
drill programs and the uncertainties relating to the interpretation of the
exploration results, including drill results and rock chip sampling results,
and other factors.  The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on
any forward-looking information.  Such information, although considered
reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect
and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.
 Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly
qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of
the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any
obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as expressly required by securities law.

For further information:
Highvista Gold Inc.
Richard Adams, President and CEO
Telephone: (416) 504-3588
Facsimile: (416) 504-4129

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE
EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE
POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY
OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.