SEMAFO Produces 68,200 Ounces of Gold in Q2 2010 SEMAFO to Release Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results on August 4, 2010

MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 07/06/10 -- SEMAFO (TSX: SMF) today announced that a strong performance at the Company's Mana Mine drove second quarter gold production to a record 68,200 ounces, representing an increase of 6% over the same period last year.

'Our flagship Mana Mine is on track and continues its disciplined growth,' said Benoit Desormeaux, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. 'With its best ever quarterly results of 45,700 ounces of gold, Mana accounted for 67% of SEMAFO's total production for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010.'

In the second quarter, SEMAFO sold 72,000 ounces of gold. The variation between gold production and sales stems from a gold shipment that was delayed at the end of first quarter to early in the second quarter 2010.

'We are pleased with our Q2 performance,' said Benoit La Salle, SEMAFO's President and Chief Executive Officer. 'SEMAFO's average realized gold price for the quarter was $1,208 per ounce, $11 per ounce above the London Gold Fix (PM) and representing an increase of $97 per ounce (9%) over our Q1 2010 results. As a result of our successful gold selling strategy, SEMAFO's average realized gold price has surpassed the average London Gold Fix (PM) for a sixth consecutive quarter.'

The Company's second quarter results for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010 will be released after market close on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. The financial statements will be available on the Company's website at www.semafo.com or at www.sedar.com.

SEMAFO will host a conference call to discuss the results, as well as to provide an update on operations.

Conference
Call:          Date:                              Thursday, August 5, 2010
               Time:                               10:00 AM (ET)
               Tel. local & overseas:              (416) 981 9000
               Tel. North America:                 1 (800) 750-5857

The conference call will feature Benoit La Salle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Benoit Desormeaux, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Martin Milette, Chief Financial Officer, Michel Crevier, SEMAFO's Geology Manager and Qualified Person, and Patrick Moryoussef, Mining Operations Manager.

The conference call will be archived for replay until August 26, 2010. To access the archived conference call, please dial 1 (800) 558 5253 and enter pass code 21475876 followed by the number sign (#).

A live audio webcast of the conference can be accessed through SEMAFO's website at www.semafo.com. The webcast will be available for replay for a period of 60 days.

Production numbers are preliminary and may be subject to final adjustment. Further information will be published in the Company's second quarter operating and financial results to be released after market close on August 4, 2010.

About SEMAFO

SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Company 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 in West Africa.

Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as 'growth', 'believe', 'look forward', 'continuing', 'evolve', 'become', 'pursuing' and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the final adjustments to our production numbers, the ability to execute on our strategic focus, fluctuation in the price of currencies, gold or operating costs, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, delays, political and social stability in Africa (including our ability to maintain or renew licenses and permits) and other risks described in SEMAFO's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in SEMAFO's 2009 Annual MD&A, as updated by our 2010 First Quarter MD&A, and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. These documents are also available on our website at www.semafo.com. SEMAFO disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

SEMAFO

Benoit La Salle

President & CEO

514-744-4408

Toll-Free: 1-888-744-4408
blasalle@semafo.com


SEMAFO

Sofia St Laurent

Communications

514-744-4408

Toll-Free: 1-888-744-4408
sstlaurent@semafo.com