SEMAFO Announces New Appointment to Board of Directors

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 14, 2012) - SEMAFO Inc. (TSX:SMF)(OMX:SMF) is pleased to announce the appointment of His Excellency Mr. Tertius Zongo to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Zongo is an economist with an extensive background in international finance and public policy. Mr. Zongo served as Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Burkina Faso from 2007 until 2011 and was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Burkina Faso to the United States of America from 2002 to 2007. Mr. Zongo's prior experience includes positions of increasing responsibility within the government of Burkina Faso including tenures as Minister of State for Planning and Budget and Minister of Economy and Finance. As such, he held the office of Governor of Burkina Faso to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank and also held various positions at the West Africa sub-regional level.

Mr. Zongo holds a B.A. and a Master's degree in Economy - Business Management - from the University of Dakar, Senegal and a degree of Higher Studies in business management from the Institute of Business Management of Nantes, France.

"We are pleased to have Mr. Zongo join our Board of Directors," said Jean Lamarre, Executive Chair of the Board, SEMAFO Inc., "His extensive business experience and acumen will make him a valuable contributor to the Board."

SEMAFO also announced that Mr. Pierre Claver Damiba chose not stand for re-election to the Board at the Corporation's Annual General and Special Shareholders Meeting earlier today. The Board of Directors extended its gratitude to Mr. Damiba for his contribution to the Corporation and its Board of Directors during his three years of service as an independent Director.

Mr. Tertius Zongo joins SEMAFO's six-member Board of Directors: Messieurs Jean Lamarre (Executive Chairman), Benoit La Salle, FCA, Terrence F. Bowles, John LeBouthillier, CM (Lead Director), Gilles Masson, CA and Lawrence McBrearty.

About SEMAFO

SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation currently operates three gold mines: the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, the Samira Hill Mine in Niger and the Kiniero Mine in Guinea. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest. SEMAFO's strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities.