Compass Gold Corp. reported that the retesting of drilling intervals from eight drill holes has returned significantly higher gold grades compared to previous fire assay testing from the Tarabala and Massala prospects, located on the company's Sikasso Property in southern Mali. Highlights: Metallic screen assay testing of historic samples confirmed the presence of coarse-grained (nuggety) gold mineralization; Significantly higher grades were seen in samples from Tarabala, including: 7 m at 14.13 g/t Au (inc. 1 m at 97.34 g/t Au), compared to an earlier result of 0.42 g/t Au; Previous barren interval returned the presence of gold: 1 m at 0.92 g/t Au, compared to 0.01 g/t Au; Preparing to start new drilling program to confirm grade and thickness of mineralized zones at Tarabala and Massala using metallic screen assaying.

Next Steps: As noted, this next drill program at Tarabala will focus on mineralization at depth within the fresh rock. Ten reverse circulation holes totaling 2,000 m will help ensure as large a sample as possible, while four diamond drill holes for 600 m will reveal the characteristics of the mineralized veins. At least one drill hole will target shallow gold mineralization so metallic screen assaying can be used to quantify the nugget effect at shallow, open-pittable depths.

Based on financing, this program is expected to conclude by early February, with results likely available in March.