Gabriel Resources Ltd.: Local Referendum in Alba County, Romania

TORONTO, CANADA -- (Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2012) - Gabriel Resources Ltd. ("Gabriel" or the "Company") (TSX:GBU) understands that the Alba County Council has approved the organisation of a regional referendum on December 9, 2012 in respect of the resumption of mining in the Apuseni Mountains and, specifically, mining at the Rosia Montana Project ("Project"). Formal confirmation of this approval is expected in the coming days.

The Company and Rosia Montana Gold Corporation ("RMGC"), Gabriel's 80.69%-owned Romanian subsidiary which holds the exploitation licence for the Project, welcome this opportunity to obtain a fully independent and representational opinion from the communities that lie close to, will benefit most from, and be most affected by, the Project. The Apuseni Mountains is an area that is facing extreme poverty whilst continuing to suffer a growing legacy of environmental damage and decay of cultural heritage caused by historic mining practices. Although the outcome of the proposed referendum is not legally binding, it provides an important platform to illustrate the positive impact of the Project on environmental rehabilitation, job creation and heritage salvation for an area that has many years of mining tradition and no viable alternative to the significant economic benefits the Project can deliver.


Jonathan Henry, President and CEO of Gabriel Resources, stated:

"This referendum should give the people within the communities in the Apuseni Mountain region, who will benefit from and be most affected by this significant Project, an opportunity to express their wishes for their future prosperity. We believe that this referendum will clearly demonstrate that people in the Apuseni region strongly support the creation of thousands of jobs, long-term sustainable development and environmental remediation that can be delivered by modern, safe, responsible mining in Rosia Montana."


About Gabriel

Gabriel is a Canadian TSX-listed resource company focused on permitting and developing its world-class Rosia Montana gold and silver project. The Project, the largest undeveloped gold deposit in Europe, is owned through RMGC, a Romanian company in which Gabriel holds an 80.69% stake with the 19.31% balance held by CNCAF Minvest S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining enterprise. Gabriel and RMGC are committed to responsible mining and sustainable development in the communities in which they operate. The Project is anticipated to bring US$19 billion to Romania as potential direct and indirect contribution to GDP according to 2010 estimates from UK-based Oxford Policy Management (using a gold price of US$900/oz). This contribution increases to over US$30 billion at today's gold price. The Project will generate thousands of employment opportunities. Gabriel intends to build a state-of-the-art mine using best available techniques and implementing the highest environmental standards whilst preserving local and national cultural heritage in Romania. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.


Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking information as defined in applicable securities laws relating to the Company and/or the Project (referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the returns to Romania from the Project and future permitting processes. All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein, including without limitation, those incorporated by reference, those which may refer to the Company's financial position, business strategy, plans, objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Company's business) the economic impact, job creation, costs estimates, patrimony plans, future ability of the Company to finance the Project, Project delivery and estimates regarding the timing of completion of various aspects of the Projects' development or of future performance are forward-looking statements.

The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "projects", "may", "will", "schedule", "potential", "proposed" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are difficult, or may be beyond Gabriel's ability, to predict or control and that may cause the actual outcomes, level of activity, financial results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, changes in the worldwide price of precious metals; fluctuations in exchange rates; legislative, political or economic developments including changes to mining and other relevant legislation in Romania; geopolitical uncertainty, uncertain legal enforcement; changes in, and the effects of, the government policies affecting the Company's operations; uncertainties related to timelines for awaited approvals; changes in general economic conditions, and the financial markets; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, development or mining; environmental risks; the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; and the Company's requirements for substantial additional funding.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Gabriel undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.



Contact

Gabriel Resources Ltd.
Jonathan Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mobile: +44 7798 801783
jh@gabrielresources.com

Gabriel Resources Ltd.
Katie Fedorowicz,Investor Relations
Mobile: +44 7810 437059
katherine.fedorowicz@gabrielresources.com
www.gabrielresources.com

Buchanan
Bobby Morse
+44 207 466 5000 or Mobile: +44 7802 875227
bobbym@buchanan.uk.com