BATERO GOLD RELEASES FINAL DRILL RESULTS FROM 55,755 METRE DRILL PROGRAM
 

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA � January 13, 2012 - Batero Gold Corp. (TSX-V: BAT) is pleased to report the final drill results from its recently completed 55,755 metre  2011 diamond drill program on the company's 100-per-cent-owned Batero-Quinchia project in Risaralda, Colombia. A total of thirty-six holes (16,628.37 metres) are being released. These are the final drill results before releasing the initial NI 43-101 resource estimate later this month by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc.

Highlights from the 55,755 metre drill program include:

• Completion of 55,755 meter drill program on time and on budget.
• A well delineated area of gold and copper mineralization at or near surface, expanding the overall footprint of the La Cumbre porphyry over 600 metres in a northwest -southeast direction and over 400 metres in a northeast-southwest direction. 
• Extending mineralization to a depth of 756 metres at La Cumbre porphyry that remains open at depth and in several directions.
• The Dos Quebradas gold-copper system extended to the south through the El Centro zone approximately 950 metres and remaining open to the north.
• Discovery of the La Lenguita porphyry and near surface high grade gold epithermal mineralization at the El Centro zone.
• Continuity of mineralization along an approximate 2 km strike length from the Dos Quebradas porphyry through the El Centro zone to the La Cumbre porphyry.
• Structurally controlled epithermal gold mineralization discovered along the Amarilla Structural Corridor located adjacent east of La Cumbre porphyry and also overprinting the porphyry systems at La Cumbre and El Centro.

Batero�s aggressive 2011 diamond drill program rapidly advanced the Batero-Quinchia project and established a regionally extensive series of gold-copper mineralized zones that appear to be part of a larger gold-copper mineralized system. The extent of this system has yet to be established and will be a focus of future exploration. The Company is looking forward to the first resource estimate for the Batero-Quinchia project expected later this month and is preparing for its next phase of development.

The Company continues to evaluate all data received from the 2011 exploration diamond drill program to finalize a follow-up development drill program to both expand the initial resource base expected to be determined shortly and upgrade such expected defined mineral resources to higher categories of resources and to mineral reserves. 
High priority 2012 exploration and development programs include:
 

• Define the size and extents of the near surface, high grade epithermal gold mineralization in and adjacent to the Amarilla Structural Corridor, which is contiguous to and overprints the eastern boundary of La Cumbre porphyry. 
• Determine the presence and extent of a gold-rich oxidation horizon overlying a potential epithermal centre in the eastern part of El Centro which is supported by gold-in-soils anomalies and 2011 scout drilling. 
• Define La Cumbre porphyry near and at surface higher grade oxide zone footprint - remains open.
• Development drill program at La Cumbre porphyry, and the El Centro and Dos Quebradas gold-copper porphyry systems.
• Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
• Prospecting crews will cover the remaining concession block area to define targets for 2012-3 scout drilling; over 50% of the block remains unexplored.

The Company�s exploration strategy coupled with its strong social and environmental programs, which contributed significantly to the successful completion of the 2011 program, are expected to further the overall project size and deposit potential in 2012.
Today�s results are from delineation and in-fill drilling from La Cumbre porphyry, through the El Centro zone and north to the Dos Quebradas porphyry.

Drill hole highlights in this current release include:

Dos Quebradas:

• SB-007 intersecting from surface, 137.00 metres grading 0.64 g/t gold and 0.09% copper; including 10.00 metres grading 1.40 g/t gold and 0.08% copper; including 28.00 metres grading 1.16 g/t gold and 0.15% copper.
• SB-001 intersecting from 99.95 metres below surface, 280.52 metres grading 0.61 g/t gold and 0.12% copper; including 71.40 metres grading 0.90 g/t gold and 0.14% copper; including 22.40 metres grading 0.71 g/t gold and 0.13% copper.
• SB-020 intersecting from 54.00 metres below surface, 312.00 metres grading 0.48 g/t gold and 0.07% copper; including 132.00 metres grading 0.70 g/t gold and 0.09% copper.

El Centro:

• MZ-006 intersecting from 22.00 metres below surface, 31.00 metres grading 1.14 g/t gold and 0.05% copper; and intersecting from 105.00 metres below surface, 72.00 metres grading 0.74 g/t gold and 0.07% copper. 

La Cumbre:

• LC-020 intersecting from surface, 185.00 metres grading 0.55 g/t gold and 0.11% copper; including 67.00 metres grading 0.96 g/t gold and 0.15% copper.
• LC-027 intersecting from surface, 234.00 metres grading 0.50 g/t gold and 0.08% copper; including 60.00 metres grading 0.87 g/t gold and 0.11% copper.
• LC-031 intersecting from 10.00 metres below surface, 26.00 metres grading 0.56 g/t gold and 0.03% copper; and intersecting from 50.00 metres below surface, 208.00 metres grading 0.69 g/t gold and 0.09% copper. The drill hole remained in mineralization to the end of the hole.
• LC-034 intersecting from 3.00 metres below surface, 255.00 metres grading 0.40 g/t gold and 0.12% copper; and intersecting from 288.00 metres below surface, 198.00 grading 0.63 g/t gold and 0.13% copper.

 
Click here to view Figure 1 � Project Plan Map, Click here to view Figure 2 � Dos Quebradas-El Centro Project Plan Map, Click here to view Figure 3 La Cumbre Project Plan Map
 
Dos Quebradas
Five drill holes (SB-001, SB-007, SB-008, SB-009 and SB-020) located in the Dos Quebradas porphyry system encapsulate an area 380 metres in length by 550 metres wide all intersecting significant gold and copper mineralization including higher grade mineralization at drill hole SB-007 (10.00 metres @ 1.40 g/t gold and 0.08% copper; including 28.00 metres grading 1.16 g/t gold and 0.15% copper).

El Centro
Drilling south from Dos Quebradas to the El Centro zone five drill holes (SB-013, SB-016, SB-019, MZ-006 and CD-003) all intercepted significant mineralization lending more evidence that the mineralization is continuous between the Dos Quebradas porphyry in the north and La Cumbre porphyry in the south.  This exploration drilling included results from drill hole SB-019 that intersected long intervals of porphyry style mineralization and MZ-006, intersecting higher grade epithermal mineralization from 22.00 metres below surface, 31.00 metres grading 1.14 g/t gold.  This drill hole was collared off the same platform as drill hole MZ-005 where epithermal mineralization was discovered at depth intersecting 1.26 g/t gold over a two metre interval (N.R. December 15, 2011).  The epithermal footprint continues to expand with mineralization intersected at or near surface at El Centro and discovered near surface and at depth at La Cumbre (N.R July 27, 2011).  The Company will continue to define the size and extent of the high grade gold epithermal mineralization in and adjacent to the Amarilla Structural Corridor during the 2012 drill program.

La Cumbre

Drilling at La Cumbre continued with successful results with eleven drill holes intercepting significant gold and copper mineralization.  Three drill holes (LC-020, LC-027and LC-034) located in the central core of higher grade gold mineralization intersected mineralization from, at or near surface with higher grade intervals reported in each hole.  This core area of the porphyry has produced some of the most significant results to date at the project including LC-023 (352.09 metres@ 0.75 g/t gold and 0.13% copper; N.R October 31, 2011), QAP-DDH-009 (460 metres @ 0.70 g/t gold and 0.12% copper; N.R. March 7, 2011) and drill hole LC-008 (344.11 metres @ 0.81 g/t gold and 0.16% copper; including 146.40 metres @ 1.20 g/t gold and 0.17% copper; N.R December 7, 2011). 

Delineation drilling tested the north and south boundary (drill holes LC-019, LC-022, LC-033 and QAP-DDH-047 were collared in the south and LC-031 was collared in the north) of the La Cumbre porphyry intersecting porphyry style mineralization contributing significantly to defining the vertical extent and surface footprint of the system. Drilling also tested the eastern boundary of the porphyry at exploration drill hole NE-001, which also intercepted similar porphyry style gold and copper mineralization.  This step out hole was drilled to the north-northwest of La Cumbre to test gold-in-soil anomalies and an area of old underground workings associated with the Amarilla Structural Corridor.  Two other drill holes (LC026 and LC029) tested the eastern bounds of La Cumbre both intersecting porphyry style gold and copper mineralization, located 150 metres apart north-south and within 150 metres of the Amarilla Structural Corridor�s historic workings in epithermal gold mineralization.

Batero Gold will be exhibiting at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2012 - January 22,23, 2012. Please visit us at booth 2030
Batero Gold will also be hosting a presentation on Monday January 23, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. To attend the presentation, please call 604-568-6378 or email cwalton@baterogold.com

A new website (www.explorebatero.com) has recently been uploaded describing the Company�s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.  This also includes six short documentary movies that explore Batero's sustainability commitments. To view the videos with non-compatible QuickTime devices follow this link (http://www.baterogold.com/corporate/social-and-environmental-videos). 

To view Technical Data, Significant Intersections, Drill Hole Specifications and Maps, please visit http://www.baterogold.com/news/batero-gold-releases-final-drill-results-55755-metre-drill-program 

Sample preparation, assays and quality assurance/quality control

Core is collected and initially logged at Batero Gold�s drilling camp at the project area. The core is then shipped securely in core boxes to Batero�s core processing facility in Pereira, Colombia, where it is logged in detail, cut and sampled. All QC samples are introduced before shipment to ALS Chemex�s sample preparation facilities in Bogota, or Medellin, Colombia. Prepared samples are then shipped to ALS�s analytical facilities in Lima, Peru or La Serena, Chile for analyses.  Gold is fire-assayed using a 50.0 gram aliquot sample and Atomic Absorption finish (AA). Multi-element analysis is achieved by Four Acid Digestion and an Induced Coupled Plasma (ICP) finish.
The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks, multiple certified assay standards and duplicate samples into the sample shipments. These QC samples are inserted in every assay batch, which is composed of 25 samples. Regular monitoring of these QC samples is a critical part of Batero Gold Corps QA/QC protocols.
Darren Anderson, P.Geo., is the Company's QA/QC consultant.
Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the technical information provided in this release.
 
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
BATERO GOLD CORP.

Brandon Rook,
President & CEO
Batero Gold Corp.
For further information please contact:
Batero Gold Corp.
Tel: 604.568.6378 or
Email: info@baterogold.com
 
About Batero Gold:
Batero Gold Corp. (TSX-V:BAT) is a Vancouver-based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused in Colombia�s emerging and prolific Mid-Cauca porphyry gold and copper belt. Batero is located within the Quinchia district and has 100% ownership in the Batero-Quinchia Project, comprising a 1407 hectare tenement. The Batero-Quinchia Project includes three known gold-copper porphyry centres. The Quinchia district and Batero�s project is considered socially stable and mining friendly and is supported with a comprehensive infrastructure network. Batero has assembled a strong management and technical team in Colombia that has contributed to numerous significant discoveries throughout Colombia. Batero plans to leverage its strategic share structure with strong local and regional relationships, and long-term financial partners, to develop its prospective project into what the Company believes will be Colombia�s next major mining venture.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute �forward-looking statements� or �forward-looking information� Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as �expects�, �anticipates�, �believes�, �plans�, �estimates�, �intends�, �targets�, �goals�, �forecasts�, �objectives�, �potential� or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results �may�, �could�, �would�, �might� or �will� be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the timing and scope of expected diamond drilling; the timing of the delivery of a resource estimate on the Batero-Quinchia project; potential existence and size of mineralization within the Batero-Quinchia project; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; the sufficiency of the Company�s capital to finance the Company�s operations; geological interpretations and potential mineral recovery processes.
Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, risks relating to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, Colombia or other countries in which the Company may carry on business in the future; the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining activities; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; and contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company�s forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company�s Filing Statement dated as of June 22, 2010 under the heading �Risk Factors�. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
The Company�s forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management�s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

Neither 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.