Alamos Gold Inc. announced today that it has commenced an offer to acquire Aurizon Mines Ltd. for approximately C$780 million in cash and shares. The Offer will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on February 19, 2013 unless withdrawn or extended. Alamos has also applied to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AGI”.

Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. is pleased to announce 2012 record silver and gold production figures from its San Jose mine located in Mexico and Caylloma mine located in Peru.

Aurcana Corporation is pleased to report the Q4 2012 and 2012 year to date production results.

VVC Exploration Corporation announces that it has requested and obtained from the TSX Venture Exchange a 15-day extension for the final closing of a non-brokered private placement of up to 30,000,000 units of the Company (“Units”) at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at $0.12 per share for 1 year and thereafter at $0.18 per share until 2 years after closing.

Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. announces that it has changed its auditor. D&H Group LLP has resigned effective as of December 21, 2012 and Deloitte & Touche LLP has been appointed at Gunpoint’s AGM held on December 27, 2012. The change in auditor has been approved by Gunpoint’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors.

Timmins Gold Corp. is pleased to report record production of 94,444 ounces of gold for 2012, which included production of 24,556 ounces of gold for its Q4 2012 fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2012. Timmins Gold also produced 56,252 ounces of silver during the year including 16,203 ounces of silver during the quarter.

Bacanora Minerals Ltd. announces the issuance of an aggregate of 192,000 common shares at a price of 0.25 per share to James Leahy, a director of the Corporation. The foregoing shares are being issued in payment of services rendered under a consulting agreement pursuant to which Mr. Leahy has provided various corporate financial advisory services to Bacanora. The foregoing consulting services have been recorded and disclosed in the Corporation’s most recent financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2012. The completion of this share issuance is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Upon issuance, the foregoing shares will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Mercator Minerals Ltd. is pleased to announce its production results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, along with 2013 expectations for production, capital expenditures and average cash costs(ii) from its wholly-owned Mineral Park Mine in Arizona.