New Gold Monetizes a Portion of its Asset Backed Notes

VANCOUVER , Dec. 23 /CNW/ - New Gold Inc. ("New Gold") (TSX and NYSE AMEX-NGD) today announces the sale of C$56.3 million of face value asset backed notes for cash proceeds of C$31.2 million. Three classes of notes were sold:

    
    -   C$32.9 million of face value MAV II Class A-1 notes for
        C$19.1 million

    -   C$18.3 million of face value MAV II Class A-2 notes for C$8.4 million

    -   C$5.1 million of face value MAV II Class 15 notes for C$3.7 million
    

New Gold was able to realize a weighted average price of C$0.55 per dollar through the monetization of this portion of the company's notes and will recognize a loss on disposal of approximately C$4.3 million during the fourth quarter. Of New Gold's remaining C$104.0 million in face value notes, C$83.1 million, or 80%, are in the MAV II Class A-1 and A-2 category which are considered to be the most secure of the asset backed notes from a credit perspective.

"We are very pleased that we have been able to successfully monetize this portion of our notes at a value far greater than where the market was just a few months ago," said Brian Penny , Chief Financial Officer. "Realizing this additional cash well in advance of the 2016 maturity date of the notes only further enhances our financial flexibility and the strength of our balance sheet."

The total proceeds of C$31.2 million will further improve the company's cash balance and working capital.

About New Gold

New Gold is an intermediate gold mining company with the Mesquite Mine in the United States , Cerro San Pedro Mine in Mexico and Peak Mines in Australia . The company is expected to produce between 270,000 and 300,000 ounces of gold in 2009 growing to over 400,000 ounces in 2012. In addition, New Gold has a strong portfolio of mining, development and exploration assets in mining friendly jurisdictions. For further information on the company, please visit www.newgold.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information contained in this press release, including any information relating to New Gold's future financial or operating performance may be deemed "forward looking". All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that New Gold expects to occur, are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond New Gold's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause New Gold's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: significant capital requirements; fluctuations in the international currency markets and in the rates of exchange of the currencies of Canada , the United States , Australia , Brazil , Mexico and Chile ; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; impact of any hedging activities, including margin limits and margin calls; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, between actual and estimated reserves and resources and between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; changes in national and local government legislation in Canada , the United States , Australia , Brazil , Mexico and Chile or any other country in which New Gold currently or may in the future carry on business; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which New Gold does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining and maintaining the validity and enforceability of the necessary licenses and permits and complying with the permitting requirements of each jurisdiction that New Gold operates, including, but not limited to, Mexico , where New Gold is involved with ongoing challenges relating to its environmental impact statement for Cerro San Pedro Mine; the lack of certainty with respect to the Mexican and other foreign legal systems, which may not be immune from the influence of political pressure, corruption or other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; competition; loss of key employees; additional funding requirements; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks) as well as "Risks Factors" included in New Gold's Annual Information Form filed on March 31, 2009 and Management Information Circular filed on April 15, 2009 , both available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. New Gold expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

For further information: Hannes Portmann, Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, New Gold Inc., Direct: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.newgold.com