Manitou Gold Inc. Reports Near Surface Intersection of 11.9 g/t Au Over 2.5 m at Kenwest

SUDBURY, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire - Dec. 19, 2011) - Manitou Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE: MTU) ("Manitou") announces the receipt of diamond drill assay results from the Kenwest Project located within Northwestern Ontario. The drill holes are positioned along the recently discovered gold bearing sulphide zone situated near surface along the #2 Shear Zone. The gold bearing sulphide mineralization was initially identified during surface channel sampling. The extent of the mineralization has yet to be fully defined, as the trench exposures run into a low swampy area. Diamond drilling consisted of three diamond drill holes to evaluate the continuity of the sulphide zone. Diamond drill hole KW-11-76 intersected 11.9 g/t Au over 2.5 m at the vertical depth of 25 m. Diamond drill hole KW-11-77, drilled 40 m behind KW-11-76, intersected 5.4 g/t Au over 4.5 m, at the vertical depth of 65m. These two holes are located on the north end of the sulphide zone, where channel sample assay results consisted of 7.0 g/t Au over 3.5 m, 1.4 g/t Au over 6.0 m, 5.0 g/t Au over 5.5 m, 4.0 g/t Au over 5.0 m, 2.7 g/t Au over3.5 m and 11.2 g/t over 2.0 m (previously reported Sept 8, 2011).

Diamond drill hole KW-11-78 intersected 1.1 g/t Au over 3.1 m. The hole is located on the exposure near the #2 shaft, on the south end of the sulphide zone, approximately 250 m southwest of diamond drill holes KW-11-76 and KW-11-77. Surface channel samples from this trench returned gold assay averages of 8.9 g/t Au over 3.1 m, 4.7 g/t Au over 5.3 m, 5.7 g/t Au over 4.3 m, and 1.1 g/t Au over 5.9 m (previously reported November 25, 2011).

A plan map showing holes KW-11-76 through KW-11-78 in relation to the #1 and #2 Shear Zones can be found at the Company's website, at www.manitougold.com/kenwest.html.

Drill results from these holes provide initial indications of continuity of the sulphide zone along strike and at depth. The upcoming winter drill program will test the full 250 m strike extent of the mineralization at multiple depths.

Todd Keast, President of Manitou Gold Inc. commented "The drill results from the sulphide zone represent another quality exploration target worthy of follow up on the Kenwest Project. These results, when combined with the other significant results that we have delivered at Kenwest over the past 18 months, demonstrate the overall exceptional exploration potential of the property. Manitou's initial diamond drill program in 2010 intersected visible gold in numerous drill holes along the #1 structure and included a high grade intersection of 15.4 g/t Au over 6.1 m in KW-10-13, as reported on July 7, 2010. In early 2011, the Company drilled a spectacular high grade gold intersection in KW-11- 26 of 53.7 kg/t Au over 0.55m along the relatively unknown #2 shear, as reported on February 28, 2011. During this summer's program, KW-11-69 contained a gold intersection of 1,055 g/t Au over 0.75 m. These exceptional discoveries are all positioned along an 800 m long interval along both the #1 and #2 shear zones."


The Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release is Todd Keast, P. Geo., President of Manitou Gold Inc. Mr. Keast has verified all of the technical data contained in this release.



The Company has implemented a quality control program to ensure best practice in sampling and analysis. Assayed samples are transported in security sealed bags for preparation and analysis at ALS Chemex facilities. ALS Chemex is an ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 17025 registered laboratory. Core samples were analyzed for gold by 30-gm fire assay with AA finish and by gravimetric methods. Samples with visible gold are assayed by screened total metallics Statements in this release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates and that the resource potential will be achieved on exploration projects, currency fluctuations, dependence upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers should also refer to the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

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.



Contact Information

Manitou Gold Inc.
Todd Keast
President
705-222-8800
705-222-8801 (FAX)
info@manitougold.com

Manitou Gold Inc.
Michael Murphy
Director, Corporate Communications
705-222-8800
705-222-8801 (FAX)
mmurphy@manitougold.com
www.manitougold.com