Nord Gold N.V.: First Gold Poured at New Bissa Mine in Burkina Faso

Nord Gold N.V. ('Nordgold' or 'the Company', LSE: NORD), an independent,
internationally diversified, pure-play gold producer strategically
focused on emerging markets, is pleased to announce that construction of
its Bissa Mine in Burkina Faso is now complete and gold production has
begun.

The mine was officially opened by His Excellency the Prime Minister of
Burkina Faso Luc Adolphe Tiao and CEO of Nordgold Nikolai Zelensky, in
the presence of His Excellency the President of the National Assembly
Roch Marc Christian Kabore, the President of the Constitutional Council
Dr. D? Albert Millogo, the Minister for Mines, Quarries & Energy Mr.
Lamoussa Salif Kabore, regional governors and other officials.

Bissa has been completed ahead of schedule and on budget. Total
investment in the project was US$ 250 mln and it was completed in 15
months.

Bissa Mine ? Key Facts

Bissa is now the Company′s second operating asset in Burkina Faso and
the third asset in Africa, bringing the total number of Nordgold′s
operating mines to nine. In Burkina Faso Nordgold already operates the
Taparko mine, which was the first mine built in the country in 2007. The
launch of Bissa makes Nordgold the first gold miner operating two mines
in Burkina Faso.

Bissa is situated in the rural commune of Sabce, 100 km north of the
capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. As at January 2012, the project′s
proved and probable reserves (JORC) of gold were estimated at 1,803 koz
at 1.83 g/t while measured, indicated and inferred resources totaled
4,929 koz (1.1 g/t).

According to the current reserves′ estimates, the life of mine is
expected to be around 10 years. Meanwhile the Company sees potential to
increase the mine′s reserve base through conversion of resources to
reserves and its ongoing exploration programme. Planned capacity of the
open pit mine is 4 mt of ore per annum, producing up to 200 koz of gold
annually. The plant consists of crushing, milling (SAG and ball mills)
and carbon-in-leach circuits (CIL), a method of recovering gold from
solution.

In 2013 Bissa is expected to produce up to 100 koz of gold. More precise
guidance will be given during the ramp-up process later this year.

Nordgold will issue full year 2012 operational results on 22 January and
will host a media call to discuss the results and the completion of
Bissa.

Philip Baum, Chairman of Nordgold commented:

'First gold production from the Bissa Gold Mine is a very important
milestone for us. We have seen the project completed through from start
to finish in just 15 months, ahead of schedule and on budget. It clearly
demonstrates our team′s ability to develop these significant projects
and will serve to accelerate our organic growth for the benefit of all
stakeholders. Bissa has the potential to be a major gold producing asset
and it forms a key part of Nordgold′s growth strategy alongside the
Company′s other leading development project - Gross in Russia. We expect
that the first ore from Gross will be treated at our Neryungry mine
facility by the end of 2013.?

Nikolai Zelenski, CEO of Nordgold, added:

'We are delighted to announce that the construction of the Bissa Gold
Mine is now complete. Bissa is a key development project for our company
and central to our growth strategy, but more importantly it is a crucial
producing asset for the people of Burkina Faso. We have made real
efforts to cultivate a good relationship with the citizens of our host
country, on both a local and a national level, and I would like to thank
the Government of Burkina Faso for their support as we have developed
this significant mine. As we move Bissa to full capacity, we will also
focus our attention on delivering the Gross development project.
Together with the ramp up of Bissa, Nordgold is very well placed to
increase its global production considerably.?

About Nordgold

Nord Gold N.V. (Nordgold, LSE: NORD) is an international
pure-play emerging-markets gold producer established in 2007. The
Company has expanded rapidly through acquisitions and organic
investment, achieving a rate of growth unmatched in the industry during
that period. Nordgold′s gold production reached 754 Koz in 2011.

The company operates nine active mines and has one development projects,
five advanced exploration projects and a diverse portfolio of early
exploration projects and licenses in Russia, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso
and Guinea. Nordgold employs about 10,000 workers in CIS and West Africa.

The Company′s proven and probable gold reserves as of January 1, 2012
totalled 12.7 Moz, while measured, indicated and inferred resources were
estimated at 29.5 Moz.

For further information on Nordgold please visit the Company′s website

http://www.nordgold.com

Nordgold

Alexey Shchedrin

Director of Corporate
Communications & Investor Relations

Tel: +7 (917) 502 2048

or

Diana
Asonova

Press Secretary

Tel: +7 (916) 347 9847

or

Maitland

Peter
Ogden

James Devas

Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 5151