High Grade Zone Deepening at Mana

Montreal, Quebec, March 24, 2008. - SEMAFO (TSX - SMF) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration program undertaken on the Wona North East Extension at its Mana Mine in Burkina Faso.

Semafo has determined that the Wona deposit, which is advantageously situated adjacent to the Mana processing plant, extends in a north-east direction as well as at depth. Follow-up drilling has been carried out confirming the presence of a mineralization lode for a distance of 500m under the NE part of the Wona open pit outline. The lode extends for another 800m in the NE direction, past the pit outline. Vertically, the lode covers a height of at least 400m. The mineralization, whose width is greater than at sub-surface, presents a number of high gold grades.

Further drilling will aim at a better definition of the mineralization and will focus on investigating the potential of an underground operation to be located between 16050E and 17400E. In addition, the potential for establishing two small open pits at 17,500E and 18,000E exist.  The area herein described is shown on attached longitudinal section displaying contoured grades-thickness product in progressive cold to hot colors.

The following table presents the main mineralized zone intersected, with high grades values included.

Semafo's properties in Burkina Faso are within the Hound� volcano-sedimentary belt. As described in previous technical reports, more than one mineralization type has been recognized in the area, such the Nyaf� deposit which is of vein type in sheared volcanics and the Wona deposit, which lies in meta-sediments. The latter is related to silicification which is often brecciated and generally at proximity to a graphitic horizon.

The drilling programs were designed and managed locally by Dofinta Bond�, Mana Mineral's Exploration Chief Geologist and reviewed and supervised under the direction of Michel Crevier P.Geo MScA, Geology Manager and Semafo's Qualified Person who has reviewed this press release for accuracy and compliancy with the Canadian Instrument 43-101.

All individual samples represented one-meter length of core drilling which was sawn in half or one-meter length RC drilling riffle spit to end to 1 Kg sample.  One half core or 1 Kg RC sample is kept on site as a control and identical sample for assay then sent for preparation and gold assaying at the ALS Chemex laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  Each sample was fire assayed for gold content on a 50-gram sub-sample at the same ALS Chemex laboratories.  Complementing ALS Chemex's own QA/QC (Quality Assurance / Quality Control) program, an internal quality control and quality insurance program was in place throughout the sampling program, using blind duplicates and recognized industry standards.

About SEMAFO
Semafo is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities located in West Africa. The Company currently operates three gold mines in Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea.  Semafo is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest, while maintaining values and strengthening relationships to increase shareholder value.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations of the Company as to the market price of gold, strategic plans, future commercial production, production targets, timetables, mining operating expenses, capital expenditures, and mineral reserve and resource estimates. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, risks related t o hedging strategies, risks of delays in construction, requirements of additional financing and other risks described in the Company's documents filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company is of the opinion that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, those assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Readers can find further information with respect to risks in the Annual Information Form of the Company and other filings of the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

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