SEMAFO to Release First Quarter 2012 Financial Results on May 15 Conference Call Scheduled for May 16, 2012

MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 05/03/12 -- SEMAFO (TSX: SMF)(OMX: SMF) today announced that the Corporation's first quarter financial and operational results for the period ended March 31, 2012 will be released on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The financial statements will be available on the Corporation'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:                    Wednesday, May 16, 2012
                         Time:                    10:00 AM (EDT)
                         Tel. local & overseas:   +1 (416) 981-9000
                         Tel. North America:      1 (800) 736-7549

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, Vice-President Exploration and Mine Geology and SEMAFO's Qualified Person, and Patrick Moryoussef, Vice-President Mining Operations.

The conference call will be archived for replay until June 5, 2012. To access the archived conference call, please dial 1 (800) 558-5253 and enter pass code 21588192 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 90 days.

The Corporation would also like to advise the investment community of an error that appeared on page 24 of SEMAFO's Management Proxy Circular prepared in connection with the Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders to be held on May 14, 2012. The Share-based awards of the President and Chief Executive Officer amount to CAD$789,533 and not CAD$1,851,755. Mr. La Salle's total compensation for 2011 is hence CAD$1,567,263 and not CAD$2,629,485. Accordingly, the aggregate compensation of all named executive officers for the year was CAD$4,488,780 and not CAD$5,551,002.

About SEMAFO

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

The above information has been made public in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act.

Contacts:

SEMAFO

Sofia St Laurent

Communications

Tel. local & overseas: +1 (514) 744 4408

North America Toll-Free: 1 (888) 744 4408
sstlaurent@semafo.com / www.semafo.com


Maria Bang

Brunswick Group Stockholm

+46 (8) 410 32 189
mbang@brunswickgroup.com