Avion Resources Corp. TSX.V: AVR

    TORONTO, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Avion Resources Corp. (TSX
VENTURE:AVR) ("Avion" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it
has acquired an 80% interest in the Tabakoto and Segala gold projects (the
"Mali Projects") located in Mali, West Africa from Nevsun Africa (Barbados)
Ltd., a subsidiary of Nevsun Resources Ltd. ("Nevsun"). The remaining 20%
interest in the Mali Projects belongs to the Government of Mali. The
Tabakoto project was previously a producing gold mine and has mining
infrastructure and processing facilities in place.

    To fund the acquisition, Avion completed an equity financing of
60,100,000 subscription receipts for gross proceeds of $30,050,000.
Immediately prior to completion of the acquisition, each subscription
receipt was automatically converted into one common share and one-half of a
share purchase warrant (each whole share purchase warrant, a "Warrant").
Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of
$0.65 at any time prior to May 8, 2010. The Company has undertaken to apply
to graduate to Tier 1 of the TSX Venture Exchange and extend the term of
the Warrants so that expiry would occur on May 8, 2011.

    Rene Bharti, Avion's President and CEO, commented, "This is an exciting
day for Avion. We believe that the Tabakoto and Segala gold projects offer
significant potential for an updated mineral resource estimate and already
host the infrastructure required for near-term gold production. Similarly,
we believe that there are a number of undervalued mineral projects in
Africa that offer significant growth potential at attractive prices. Avion
plans to build on this acquisition and look for additional acquisitions in
the region."

    Don Dudek, Senior VP Exploration of Avion, adds, "The Mali properties
represent an exceptional 'target-rich' exploration environment. Avion
intends to embark upon a minimum 15,000 meter exploration drill program,
which is designed to confirm existing life of mine resources for the
Tabakoto and Segala deposits. Avion also intends to drill test other
targets, including Dar Salam, Tabakoto South, Diolafoundou, Fougala, Segala
South and NE Orpaillage, which we believe offer excellent potential to add
to the gold resources on the properties. The next six to eight months will
be exciting as a new mineable resource is developed and good news flow is
anticipated from the other exploration targets on the properties."

    In terms of restarting production at the mine, Andrew Bradfield, Chief
Operating Officer, comments "Once the deposit geology is understood better,
the mineral resource model has been updated, and the regional potential
assessment is underway, a new mine plan and production schedule will be
generated. Avion will study the economics of restarting mining at the
Tabakoto deposit versus Segala. An important aspect of the study will be
reviewing methods to reduce operating costs. We intend to make several
improvements to the processing plant, including increasing the gravity gold
circuit capacity. A two-metre lift must be constructed at the tailings dam
in order for production to restart, and a new mining contractor will be
hired. We aim to resume mining at Tabakoto in 2009 with a targeted rate of
90,000 oz Au per year at full production, subject to exploration results
and the new mine plan."

    As a reflection of its increased size and scope, the Board of Directors
of the Company is now comprised of Stan Bharti (Chairman), John Begeman,
Rene Bharti, Don Dudek, Bruce Humphrey and Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, p.c. In
addition, Avion is pleased to announce that Greg Duras has joined the
Company as the Chief Financial Officer. Avion would like to thank Deborah
Battiston for her contribution to the Company, especially the work that she
has done in respect of the acquisition of the Mali projects.

    As Rene Bharti states, "We are pleased to have assembled an excellent
board of directors to assist us with the Tabakoto and Segala projects. The
members of our board are all extremely experienced individuals, having been
involved in companies such as Central Sun Mining, Zinifex Canada (formerly
Wolfden Resources), Goldcorp, Aur Resources and Desert Sun Mining. Combined
with our already strong management team (consisting of Don Dudek, Nejib
Biya, Peter MacLean, and Andrew Bradfield), Avion is in an excellent
position to execute its short and long-term strategies in West Africa."

    About Avion Resources Corp.

    Avion Resources is a Canadian-based exploration and development company
focused on strategic acquisitions in Africa. Avion has a team of highly
qualified geologists, as well as a strong operational team that is
exploring various properties in the previously mentioned region. Avion
currently holds 80% of the Tabakoto gold mine and the Segala gold deposit
in Mali and 100% of an exploration project in Ethiopia that has a total
land position of 4,400 square kilometers.

    Cautionary Notes

    This press release contains "forward looking information" within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking
information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the
future financial or operating performance of the Company, the prospective
mineralization of the properties , planned exploration programs,
anticipated production schedule and terms, availability and likelihood of
future acquisitions, and the impact of the acquisition of the Tabakoto and
Segala projects on Avion. 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: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and
social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities;
ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign
operations risks; and other risks of the mining industry. 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.



    THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY
    OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.


    For more information, please contact
    Avion Resources Corp.
    Rene Bharti
    President and CEO
    (416) 861-5913
    Email: rene@avionresources.com

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