Almaden Minerals Ltd. is pleased to report results from exploration programs, regional and project specific, carried out by the Company outside of our 100% owned Tuligtic project. In 2011 the Company was primarily focussed on an expanded drill program at the Ixtaca gold-silver zone of the Tuligtic project where 86 holes were drilled for a total of 31,016.64 meters. Despite the focus at Tuligtic the Company continues to prospect for new projects and has also been advancing other projects already in Almaden’s large property portfolio.

VANCOUVER, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Victory Resources Corp (TSXV: VR) (the “Company”) announces the results of the third hole, RDH 08 in the 2nd stage diamond drilling program of Victory Resources Corp. in their optioned La Reforma property northeast of Choix, Sinaloa State as shown in the table below.

Sonora Resources Corp., a mineral exploration and development Company focused on the acquisition and development of international silver and gold mining properties, is pleased to advise that underground fieldwork is currently underway at the Los Amoles silver project in the State of Sonora.

Drill Hole RCHE-11-220 intersected two separate intervals with 22.5 meters containing 2.5 grams of gold per tonne and 30 meters containing 1.1 grams of gold per tonne.

Drill Hole RCHE-11-221 intersected two separate intervals with 10.5 meters containing 1.7 grams gold per tonne and 18 meters containing 1.0.

Drill Hole RCHE-11-222 intersected 40.5 meters containing 1.6 grams gold per tonne.

Key developments for Phase 1 construction and exploration results include:

– Construction of Phase 1 remains on time and budget and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2012. Phase 1 production is expected to average 30,000 ounces of gold per year. Phase 2, for which a feasibility study is being completed, is expected to contribute an additional 5 million ounces of silver and 5,000-10,000 ounces of gold per year.

– The mining fleet for Phase 1 has arrived and pre-stripping of the open pit mine began on December 9th and will continue during the first half of the year. Stockpiling of ore is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Ore is expected to be delivered to the heap leach pad by mid-2012.

– Engineering for the crushing, process plant and heap leach facilities has been completed. Pre-existing equipment has been disassembled and removed from site. The new crushing and process plant is expected to be completed by May-2012. (A photo library showing bi-weekly progress can be viewed by clicking here).

Prospero Silver Corp. announced today the results of an 870m diamond drill program at its Campana project in central Durango State, Mexico. Holes CAM-11-01 and CAM-11-02 focussed to the east and north of historic drilling (2007) that showed disseminated gold and silver mineralization over intersections up to 330m in length. The two-hole program, just finished, tested a zone characterized by chargeability and resistivity highs (Figure 1) as outlined by Z-TEM and IP surveys conducted earlier this year (refer to news releases of July 13, 2011 and August 29, 2011).