Creso Announces Resumption of Diamond Drilling on Mann Property, Borehole IP Survey on Minto Property and Grant of Options

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2012) - Creso Exploration Inc. ("Creso" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:CXT) (OTCQX:CRXEF) (FRANKFURT:C3X) is pleased to announce a follow-on drilling program to the program completed on the Mann property in Q4 2011. (see Creso press releases of December 1, 2011, December 14, 2011 and January 18, 2012). An additional phase of diamond drilling, involving 5 drill holes for a total of approximately 200 metres, is designed to confirm extensions to structures intersected by historic drilling in the '#3' and 'D' zones. A 6 hole program, involving a total of approximately 300 metres, is designed to probe targets outlined from the analysis of Insight Geophysics Inc.'s gradient array IP chargeability/resistivity survey completed on the property in January 2012.

On the Minto property, JVX Ltd. has been engaged to perform borehole geophysical surveys with a view to delineating the gold bearing zones for follow up drilling. Initially, surveys will be performed on holes MC10-10 and MC10-11. This program anticipates expanding upon the previous diamond drill results at the Minto, which include 13.3 g/t Au over 82.5m from 508.5m to 591.4m (uncut) in hole MC09-01 (see Creso press release of August 9, 2010).

The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike White, M.Sc., P.Geo., the Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

Options

The board of directors has approved the grant of an aggregate of 1,670,000 options to directors and officers of the Company of which 1,000,000 were granted to a director who is also an officer; 470,000 to directors; and 200,000 to officers. In addition, 100,000 were granted to a consultant who provides investor relations services. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.10 during a five year period expiring on February 20, 2017.

About Creso

The Corporation's principal mining exploration holdings are located in the Shining Tree mining camp of Northern Ontario within 100 km of the Timmins and Kirkland Lake mining camps, and additional interests are held in base metal properties in Guatemala.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements that address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward- looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Corporation's control. These factors include: results of exploration activities, general market and industry conditions, and other risks disclosed in the Corporation's filings with Canadian Securities Regulators.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Corporation's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Corporation expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Depending on exploration results and available financing, the Corporation may at any point modify its work program.