Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, January 10, 2013 - Columbus Gold Corporation (CGT: TSX-V – “Columbus Gold”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Rock Lefrançois to the position of Chief Operating Officer effective immediately.

Robert Giustra, CEO of Columbus Gold, commented: “Rock’s wide-ranging technical and management skills will be an asset to advancing the Paul Isnard project to the mine development stage. His appointment has greatly enhanced our capabilities and will result in more efficient and timely execution of work programs and corporate development initiatives.” 

Mr. Lefrancois is a professional geologist with 25 years of experience in the mining industry, more precisely in the search, evaluation and development of various types of precious and base metal deposits throughout North and Central America. During his fifteen-year engagement with mid-tier mining companies, namely in the position of Senior Geologist with Cambior and Aur Resources, he was responsible for the implementation of project generative and advanced acquisition programs and the management of exploration and extensive resource/reserve definition drilling programs.

More recently, he has held high-level management positions and directorships with publicly traded Canadian junior exploration companies. During his seven-year tenure as Vice-President and President & COO of NioGold Mining Corp., he was a key contributor to consolidating a large land package within the heart of Canada’s most prolific gold mining camp, defining a +2 million-ounce gold resource, and finally attracting and negotiating a strategic partnership with a mid-tier producer to carry the project to the feasibility stage.

The foregoing appointment is subject to TSX Venture exchange approval.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Robert F. Giustra
Chairman & CEO

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 release.

For more information contact:
Investor Relations
604-634-0970 or
1-888-818-1364
info@columbusgoldcorp.com