Avion Gold Corporation announces $25 million bought deal

/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

TORONTO, April 16 /CNW/ - Avion Gold Corporation (TSX-V: AVR) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Financial Ltd., on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Canaccord Financial Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc., pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to purchase 35,800,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.70 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $25,060,000. The Corporation has granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 5,370,000 Common Shares at the offer price, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, prior to 48 hours from the Closing Date. The Corporation will file a preliminary short form prospectus in each of the Provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, for the purpose of qualifying the common shares for distribution to the public and the offering is scheduled to close on or about May 6, 2010.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for exploration and development purposes at the Corporation's 80%-owned Tabakoto and Segala gold projects in Mali, as well as for general corporate purposes. The offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Avion Gold Corporation

Avion is a Canadian-based gold company focused in West Africa. The Company holds 80% of the Tabakoto and Segala gold projects in Mali. Gold production commenced at these projects in 2009 with just over 51,000 ounces produced last year. Avion continues to progress towards reaching its previously stated goal to achieve a production rate of 200,000 ounces of gold per year from its Tabakoto/Segala operations with an aggressive exploration program, underground mine planning for the Segala and Tabakoto deposits and finalization of production upgrade studies in progress. Avion's 2010 production goal was initially estimated at 100,000 ounces of gold. Anticipated 2010 gold production of approximately 100,000 ounces is under review. Avion has a highly skilled management team, with a focus on growth and consolidation within West Africa.

Cautionary Notes

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds; completion of the financing on the terms announced and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals; the development potential and timetable of the Mali projects; the estimation of mineral resources; the timing and amount of estimated future production, development and exploration; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; government regulation of mining operations; and environmental risks. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks described in the annual information form of the Company, which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information 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 information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

For further information: Avion Gold Corporation, John Begeman, President and CEO, [phone], [email protected]