Cluff Gold plc: Directorate Changes

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire - May 2, 2012) - Cluff Gold (AIM:CLF) (TSX:CFG) ("Cluff Gold" or the "Company"), the dual AIM/TSX-listed West Africa focused gold mining company, announces the appointment of Anglo American's Head of Mining, Hendrik Johannes Faul, as an independent non-executive director.

As the Group Head of Mining at Anglo American, Mr Faul brings over 20 years of experience in surface and underground mining, processing, logistics and marketing, both in Africa and across the world. He has previously held several senior roles in the mining industry, including having served as Chief Executive Officer for Anglo American's zinc operations and General Manager for the Lisheen Mine in the Republic of Ireland, during which time he also served on the boards of various non-listed Anglo American subsidiaries in South Africa, Namibia, and Ireland.

Mr Faul is also a Non-Executive Director of JSE-listed Palabora Mining Company. He holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria and a South African Mine Manager's Certificate for metalliferous mines. He is an Associate Member of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and is registered with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professionals as a professional construction project manager.

This appointment has been made as a result of the Board's decision to review its structure following the appointment of John McGloin to the position of Executive Chairman (designate). As part of the Board review, Tim Wadeson has also agreed to step down as Non-Executive Director of the Company at its next Annual General Meeting.


Peter Spivey, Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Hennie to the Board of Cluff Gold. His global experience as a professional mining engineer and track record in the African mining industry will add strong technical expertise to the team and we look forward to working with him as we bring Sega and Baomahun into production and deliver on our stated intention of becoming a mid-tier gold producer. On behalf of the Board I would also like to thank Mr Wadeson for the valuable role he has played since the inception of the Company."

Further details on Mr Faul are set out as an appendix to this release.


APPENDIX

Hendrik Faul

In terms of the appointment of Mr Hendrik Johannes Faul (49) to the Board, there is no information that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies save as set out below:

Mr Faul is currently a Non-Executive Director of Palabora Mining Company.
In the last 5 years, Mr Faul has been a director of:
Anglo Base Metals (Ireland) Limited
Anglo Exploration (Ireland) limited
Anglo American Lisheen Mining Limited
Lisheen Milling Limited
Anglobase Namibia Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Skorpion Mining Company (Pty) Ltd
Namzinc (Pty) Ltd
Anglobase Namibia (Pty) Ltd
Black Mountain Mining (Pty) Limited


About Cluff Gold

Cluff Gold is a gold developer-producer with assets in West Africa. The Company generates significant cash flow through its Kalsaka gold mine in Burkina Faso, and is exploring the significant sulphide potential at its Yaoure project in Côte d'Ivoire. The Company remains focused on its objective of becoming a mid-tier producer through the development of its wholly-owned Baomahun project in Sierra Leone, which is expected to contribute an additional 135,000oz of gold per annum, with significant exploration potential along strike. With its experience of bringing new mines into production and a project pipeline spanning Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, the Company aims to further increase its production profile with its highly prospective exploration work across all assets. For more information, please visit www.cluffgold.com.


This report includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, the positioning of the Company for future success, statements regarding exploration, the bringing of Sega and Baomahun into production, the intention of the company to become a mid-tier gold producer and other future objectives of Cluff Gold, are forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cluff Gold's expectations include, among others, risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration and drilling activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as the future price of gold. Although Cluff Gold 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 or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cluff Gold does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Peter Brown (MIMMM) is Cluff Gold's Group Exploration Manager and is a "Qualified Person" within the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Brown has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the data underlying the information or opinions contained in this press release, and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this press release.



Contact Information

Cluff Gold plc
John McGloin, Executive Chairman (designate)
Peter Spivey, Chief Executive
Pete Gardner, Finance Director
Carrie Lun, Investor Relations Manager
+44 (0)20 7340 9790

Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser & Broker,
London)
John Prior
Sebastian Jones
Joe Weaving
+44 (0)20 7523 8350

Pelham Bell Pottinger Investor Relations (Global)
Charlie Vivian
James MacFarlane
Philippe Polman
+44 (0)20 7861 3232

Farm Street Communications Ltd Press Relations (U.K.)
Simon Robinson
+44 (0)7593 340 107