With Congo finances collapsing, desperate government has few options

Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (TSX:PTQ)(OTCBB:PTQMF)(FRANKFURT:P7Z) (the "Company") today announced the planned expansion of its production system at its Molejon gold mine facility, located in Panama, by increasing grinding and processing capacity in addition to its on-going construction of a heap leach operation. The new production improvements, when fully implemented, are expected to generate an additional monthly recovery of 7,200 gold ounces. Now at the final stages of implementation, the installation of a third drum scrubber will significantly improve the processing of clays. The additional installation of a new horizontal Carbon-in-Column circuit ("CIC") will increase by 80% the gold adsorption capacity and improve the efficiency of the gold recovery from the milling system as well as from the future heap leach operations. The combined efficiency of the new hydraulic capacity and CIC circuit will translate, as from the third calendar quarter of current 2011, into an increase in production of 1,000tpd and approximately 1,200 ounces of gold, monthly.

Brazilian Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:BGC) ("Brazilian Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced bought deal private placement, including the full exercise of the $3,003,000 Underwriters' option (the "Offering"). Under the Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 16,445,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company at a price of $1.40 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $23,023,000. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to advance the Company's gold projects in Northern Brazil, and for general corporate purposes.

Auryx reports the Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy clarified the limits of a declaration to label certain minerals strategic and to be awarded to state mining company. Auryx Gold (TSX: AYX) regained lost territory as its shareprice climbed over six

Agnico-Eagle reported gold production increased from 188,232 ounces to 252,363 ounces for the first quarter this year, despite the March fire that burned down the kitchen at the Meadowbank mine last month.

Creso Exploration Inc. ("Creso" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:CXT)(OTCQX:CRXEF)(FRANKFURT:C3X) is pleased to announce that Hunter Dickinson Resources Ltd. ("Hunter Dickinson"), a subsidiary of Hunter Dickinson Inc., has signed an agreement to acquire up to a 69.95% interest in a portion of the Company's Shining Tree property position (the "Project") in NE Ontario. A binding letter agreement ("Letter Agreement") has been executed and is subject to, among other things, completion of due diligence ("Due Diligence") within 60 days.

Entrée Gold Inc. (TSX:ETG) has received assay results from three additional deep diamond drill holes on the Ann Mason deposit in the Yerington district of Nevada. Each hole returned long intercepts (584 m to 718 m) averaging 0.38% to 0.42% copper equivalent ("CuEq"). Higher grade intervals were also encountered. Hole locations and cross sections can be viewed at www.entreegold.com.

North American Palladium Ltd. ("NAP" or the "Company") (TSX:PDL)(NYSE Amex:PAL) today released an updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimate for its Vezza gold project and Sleeping Giant gold mine, located in the Abitibi gold district in Quebec. "We are pleased to see the Vezza gold project advance in accordance with the budget and timeline, as this supports our strategy to organically grow our gold division," said William J. Biggar, President and CEO. "Future growth will come from the continued exploration and development of our advanced gold projects in the Abitibi region, where we have a significant land position and an underutilized mill."

Wolverine Minerals Corp. (TSX-V:WLV) min is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive review of historical information and analysis of the results of last year's programs, it has now finalized its work program and budget for the 2011 field season on the Company's Yukon properties optioned from Strategic Metals Ltd ("Strategic"). Estimated expenditures will be approximately $5 million, with the majority of this work to be focused on eight of the Company's core properties. Through Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited ("Archer Cathro"), all crews, camps, equipment, drills, helicopters and other necessary supplies have been arranged and the following programs will begin on June 1, 2011: Image by Wolverine Minerals Corp.: DDD-Shamrock property.

With six drillholes confirming high-grade gold over 250 metres of strike in a recently discovered area at the Black Fox mine in the Timmins district, Canada, Brigus Gold (TSX: BRD) dedicated all drilling resources on site to the new prospect that it's calling the 147 zone. On news of the quickly growing gold zone Brigus' shareprice gained over three percent and was trading at C$1.48 at presstime.