Detour Gold Reports First Drill Results from Its 2011 Drilling Program at Detour Lake Project in Ontario

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 20, 2011) -Detour Gold Corporation (TSX:DGC) ("Detour Gold" or the "Company") reports assay results for the first 20 holes totaling 9,301 metres from its 2011 drilling campaign at the Detour Lake gold project in northern Ontario. The 2011 program of 50,000 metres focuses on the western extension of the Detour Lake open pit deposit between section 17,220E and 17,460E on a 40 X 40 metre drill spacing. Approximately 36,942 metres of drilling have been completed this year.

These holes were not included in the 2010 year-end mineral resource and reserve update announced on January 31, 2011. The positive assay results obtained are incremental to the current mineral reserves of 14.9 million ounces (449.5 Mt averaging 1.03 g/t) estimated at a gold price of US$850/oz.

Twelve (12) holes completed on sections 17,420E continued to encounter significant gold mineralization outside of the current open pit. The majority of the gold mineralization is found within a folded sequence of pillow and massive flows that represent the extension of Domains 2 and 3 (which contain 57% of the current in-pit measured and indicated resources) and at the contact with the Sunday Lake Deformation Zone. Of significance on section 17,420E, hole DG-11-1043 intersected 1.42 g/t (uncut) or 1.22 g/t (cut) over 127 metres, hole DG-11-1030 intersected 2.09 g/t (uncut) or 1.75 g/t (cut) over 56.5 metres, hole DG-11-1037 intersected 2.51 g/t (uncut) or 2.34 g/t (cut) over 39 metres, and DG-11-1046 intersected 1.82 g/t (uncut) or 1.56 g/t (cut) over 42.6 metres. All these gold intersections are located at the western limit and immediately below the current pit limit, between 125 to 400 metres from surface.

Significant gold mineralized (uncut) intervals encountered are shown below.

Complete tables of results, surface and longitudinal plans and cross-sections for the Detour Lake deposit are posted on the Company's website on the home page "Explore Detour Lake" or http://www.detourgold.com/PROJECTS/Detour-Lake/Explore-Detour-Lake/default.aspx.

Detour Gold's delineation program is being managed by its Exploration Manager, Guy MacGillivray, P.Geo., a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. MacGillivray has verified and approved the data disclosed in this release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information. Samples are now prepared at both SGS Minerals Services in Garson and Don Mills, Ontario, Canada and assayed at the Don Mills location. Analysis for gold is done on sawn half core samples using fire assay (AA finish). Samples with higher grade gold (>5 g/t) are re-assayed using the pulp and metallics procedures. Standard reference materials, blank and field duplicate samples are inserted prior to shipment from site to monitor the quality control of the assay data. For additional information on Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC"), refer to the Technical Report filed in March 2011.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information as defined in applicable securities laws (referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the drill results being incremental to current mineral reserves of 14.9 million ounces. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are beyond Detour Gold's ability to predict or control and may cause Detour Gold's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, gold price volatility, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic conditions and other risks involved in the gold exploration and development industry, as well as those risk factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of Business - Risk Factors" in Detour Gold's 2009 annual information form. Such forward-looking statements are also based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about the following: the availability of financing for exploration and development activities; the estimated timeline for the development of the Detour Lake gold project; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the results of the feasibility study and the assumptions on which the feasibility study is based; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and impacted communities; and general business and economic conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Detour Gold undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Detour Lake Project - Highlights of Drill Results (West of Calcite Zone)