Mexivada Executes Option Of Poker Flats Property, Carlin-Rain Gold Mining District, Nevada

TSX-V: MNV
OTC:  MXVDF
Frankfurt: M2Q

VANCOUVER, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Mexivada Mining Corp. (MNV.TSX-V) is pleased to announce the signing of an option to purchase 70% of the Poker Flats property, and makes the following announcement:

Mexivada has entered into an Agreement with Spartan Gold Ltd (OTCBB: SPAG, "Spartan"), a U.S. based junior gold exploration company and with Sphere Resources Inc. ("Sphere") on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange (NEX - SPH.H, collectively "Optionee") to option an equally shared 70% interest in the Poker Flats gold concession in Nevada's world renowned Carlin Trend to Spartan and Sphere. Under the terms of the agreement, Spartan Gold is responsible for financing of the first stage exploration activities at Poker Flats.  Sphere will assume the responsibility to complete a mining feasibility study for the project upon completion of the exploration program. 

Poker Flats Gold Property

The Poker Flats properties are located approximately 20 miles south-southwest of Elko, Nevada, and comprise two non-contiguous blocks containing 25 unpatented lode mining claims, covering approximately 500 acres. All of the claims are within the Carlin-Rain Mining District in Elko County. The property has a National Instrument (NI) 43-101 technical report prepared by a Competent Person. According to the NI 43-101 technical report, the exploration focus at Poker Flats will be on Carlin-type mineralization, which typically occurs as finely dispersed sub-micron gold and some silver. The properties are in the vicinity of the large Rain Mine (Newmont), and the Emigrant Springs (Newmont) and Railroad-Pinyon (Gold Standard Ventures) gold properties. The previous geophysical and geological interpretations and past drilling indicate that the Poker Flats property has favorable characteristics for Carlin-type mineralization. Gold Standard Ventures has been actively drilling the Railroad property, located 3 kilometers southwest of Poker Flats, as reported in Thom Calandra's "Ticker Trax" newsletter. Gold Standard reported intersecting highly significant gold assay values in its most recent drilling at Railroad, well in excess of the average gold grade reported by Newmont for the Emigrant Springs gold deposit. Newmont is awaiting a BLM decision to construct and start up an operating open pit heap leach gold mine at Emigrant Springs, which adjoins Poker Flats on the north, along strike.

Additional drilling, geophysical and geological work is planned at Poker Flats by Spartan under a two-phase exploration program. Since the property is situated adjacent to other current gold mining properties such as Pinyon and Railroad, and the mineralized host rocks appear similar to those at Newmont's Rain Mine and at the Railroad deposit, additional exploration expenditures are justified for the Poker Flats property.

Optionee can earn an 51% interest in Poker Flats (the "Property") by compensating Mexivada in 1) a payment of $25,000 in cash on signing (paid), and 2) issue to Mexivada a) 200,000 common shares of Sphere within 60 days of the Effective Date of December 20, 2010, and b) investing a sum of $500,000 into the property in exploration and development expenditures (inclusive of assessment work) over a 36 month period from the Effective Date. Optionee must issue 300,000 common shares of Sphere Resources Inc. to Mexivada within 60 days of its earning a 51 percent interest in the property.

Optionee can earn an additional nineteen percent (19%) interest in the property, for a total of 70%, upon incurring additional Exploration Expenditures of US $250,000 and by also completing and delivering to Optionor an Industry-standard Mining Feasibility Study (not necessarily "bankable") on or before the fifth anniversary date of this Agreement, such additional expenditures and Mining Feasibility Study to be incurred and paid for by Sphere.

Upon commercial mine production, Mexivada and Optionee also will pay their respective portions of a three percent (3%) net smelter returns royalty to the original vendor of the mining claims (Redfern) appurtenant to this agreement, and part or all of this NSR may be purchased from the vendor at any time for $1,000,000 per percentage point of the royalty. A joint venture will be negotiated between Mexivada and Optionee for additional work on this claim. Upon Optionee earning its 70% interest in the property, Mexivada and its joint venture partner are required to contribute their proportionate share of costs of future exploration and development.

The proposed transaction remains subject to, among other things, receipt of all requisite Regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the NEX board of the TSX Venture Exchange. A finder's fee is payable by Optionee in regards to this transaction.

Mr. Richard Redfern, President and CEO of Mexivada commented: "We are extremely pleased to be pursuing the historic and prolific Carlin gold mining camp with an extremely talented technical team working on the Property. We feel very confident in Spartan Gold's ability to explore and prepare the property to drill ready status and to have Sphere Resources guiding the completion of required formal studies to validate the prospect".

Bill Whitmore, the President of Spartan Gold Ltd. commented, "What is exciting for our team at Spartan Gold, is being able to take the lead operationally on a world class project with great partners and fantastic potential" He went on to say, "We recognized from the beginning that all the parties involved with the Poker Flats prospect bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in the mining industry. This provides a great recipe for a successful exploration endeavor every step of the way to the benefit of all the shareholders of our respective companies."

Malcolm Stevens, Chairman and President of the Company commented, "The Poker Flats agreement enables the Company to explore and potentially mine a concession surrounded by both lucrative producing mines and industry leaders.  The existing data on The Poker Flats prospect is extremely encouraging because the mineralization is consistent with the producing adjacent properties."

About Mexivada Mining Corp.:

Mexivada is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying, acquiring, advancing, mining, and joint venturing prospective Gold-Silver, Tellurium, Diamond, and Rare Metal exploration projects in Mexico, Nevada, Canada, and Africa. Mexivada is managed by experienced and successful board members and advisors. For further information, including area maps, sections, and photos, please visit our web site at www.mexivada.com or contact us by e-mail at [email protected].

About Spartan Gold Ltd.:

Spartan Gold Ltd. (OTCBB: SPAG) is a publicly traded U.S. based junior gold exploration and mining company with gold exploration and development activity initially centered in the northeast region of Alabama.  The company is currently pursuing opportunities in the Carlin Gold Trend, Nevada. The superior Carlin Trend gold camp of Nevada is endowed with world class mineral deposits. The directors, management and advisers of Spartan Gold have over 90 years of combined experience in the exploration and development of global mining projects.

Spartan's commitment to asset growth and increased shareholder value will be sustained by the development of highly prospective projects, accelerated exploration activities and the acquisition of viable resources. Spartan has selected an international board of directors experienced in undertaking exploration, development and funding of numerous energy and minerals projects around the world. The company is currently exploring additional acquisition opportunities.

About Sphere Resources Inc.:

Sphere Resources Inc. listed on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange (NEX - SPH.H) is focused on identifying and appropriating exploration targets and other high quality assets in major global mining camps with a particular emphasis on precious metals. It is currently involved in exploring for gold mineralization in the Red Lake District of Ontario and has spent considerable time identifying and appropriating exploration targets and other high quality assets in major global mining camps with a particular emphasis on precious metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE MEXIVADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"RICHARD R. REDFERN"

Richard R. Redfern
President

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release and related texts and images on Mexivada's website contain certain "forward-looking statements" including, but not limited to, statements relating to interpretation of mineralization potential, drilling and assay results, future exploration work, and the anticipated results of this work. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metals and diamond prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical, governmental, social, or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of sampling and drilling results and other tests; the possibility that required permits and access agreements may not be obtained in a timely manner; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in these work programs.

Forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Mexivada Mining Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Mexivada Mining Corp.