VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 4, 2013) - Northern Lion Gold Corp. (News - Market indicators)(FRANKFURT:N3E) (the "Company") announces that, further to its previously announced letter of intent with Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra") (reported February 28, 2013), it has entered into a binding definitive option agreement (the "Agreement") with Centerra Gold (KB) Inc., a subsidiary of Centerra. The Company also announces the initiation of a joint exploration program with Centerra in the Republic of Cyprus.

Pursuant to the Agreement, Centerra can earn a 51% to 70% interest in a number of the Company's exploration permits (the "Option Properties") located in the Larnaca and Paphos Districts of the Republic of Cyprus. To earn an initial 51% interest, Centerra must pay US$100,000 to the Company and make exploration and development expenditures of US$3 million over three years (the "Initial Option Period"). Once a 51% interest is earned by Centerra, either a 51/49 joint venture will be formed (and further funding would be done on a pro rata basis), or Centerra may elect to earn an additional 19% interest to bring its total property interest to 70% by funding an additional US$3 million in exploration and development expenditures within a two year period following its election to increase its interest.

The Company will be the operator during the first year of the Initial Option Period, following which Centerra may elect to assume operatorship.

Centerra's funding obligations under the Agreement are subject to certain conditions, including the Company obtaining TSX Venture Exchange approval and the receipt of certain licenses which have been applied for by the Company.

The Company and Centerra are preparing to commence a ground-based EM and magnetic geophysical survey ("Geophysical Survey") over prospective areas in the Paphos and Larnaca Districts.

Company President and CEO, John Lando, commented: "This final agreement with Centerra represents a firm commitment from a leading gold producer to work with us to discover buried Cyprus-style massive sulphide deposits in underexplored regions of Cyprus. We have held numerous meetings with Centerra's technical team to outline high priority targets and to design an exploration program that includes ground geophysical surveys and diamond drill programs."

The geophysical survey is designed to follow-up on the results of a 2011 Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic Survey conducted by Geotech Airborne Malta, Ltd. (reported February 7, 2012), to explore for buried massive sulphide targets in underexplored areas of western Cyprus. Five high priority targets located in the Paphos District of western Cyprus have been selected by Centerra for follow-up., including the prospective Lysos permit. The Lysos permit area hosts a cluster of seven VTEM anomalies. Centerra and the Company have also chosen the Pano Lefkara permit for work during the initial phase of exploration. Pano Lefkara was previously drilled by the Company in 2012. Auriferous massive sulfides were encountered in three drill holes and assays of up to 3 metres of 4.98 g/t gold, 29.60 g/t silver, 3.75% copper, and 2.47% zinc were returned (reported July 17, 2012). 

Centerra is a gold mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and gold-copper properties in Asia, the former Soviet Union, Turkey and other emerging markets worldwide. Centerra is a leading North American-based gold producer and is the largest Western-based gold producer in Central Asia. Centerra's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol CG. The Company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Company's field activities in Cyprus are under the direction of Robert Johnston, P.Geo. (BC), and "qualified person", as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Johnston is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

About Northern Lion

Northern Lion is committed to building a strong portfolio of projects within mining-friendly and infrastructure-rich areas of Europe. Northern Lion currently controls over 40 km² of exploration permits in the Republic of Cyprus and is actively pursuing other opportunities within the region.

NORTHERN LION GOLD CORP.

John Lando, President

This news release includes "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, exploration plans of the Company, receipt of all required regulatory approval, the success of exploration activities and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; risks arising as a result of the Company operating in Cyprus; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; potential defects in title to the Company's properties; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.