Desert Sun Further Confirms Major Extension at Canavieiras in Jacobina Mine Area, Bahia, Brazil.

TORONTO -- - Step out drill hole shows 11.7g Au/t over 5.3 metres

DESERT SUN MINING CORP. (TSX:DSM)(AMEX:DEZ) reports that it has received results from a second step out hole collared 60 metres north of CAN-106 and about 170 metres south of the old mine workings. As previously reported (see press release November 3, 2005) CAN-106, collared 230 metres south of the old workings intersected three major gold mineralized reefs which are the southern continuation of the same mineralized stratigraphy in the old Canavieiras Mine area. Significant results included 3.94g Au/t over a true width of 9.6 metres in a wider section grading 2.26g Au/t over a true width of 31.4 metres in the Middle Unit (MU) reef.

Highlights from Step out Hole CAN-105, 170 metres south of old mine workings are:

- 11.71g Au/t (10.09 g Au/t with highs cut to 30g Au/t) over a true width of 5.3m (MU reef);

- 6.15g Au/t over 3.4m true width Lower Unit (LU) reef

- 2.53g Au/t over a true width of 8.4m in a wider zone grading 2.01 g Au/t over a 14.4m true width (Hollandez reef);

Table 1 lists significant drilling results and Figure 1 is a plan showing grade times thickness contours of the MU reef. This map indicates that there is a major southeasterly plunging high grade mineralized zone in the old mine area that is open to the east and south with a second major trend developing to the south of the mine as indicated by the step out holes. The plan map also shows the likely approximate limit of mineralization based on an interpretation of results of the recently completed induced polarization geophysical  (IP) survey by John Buckle, P.Geo., consulting geophysicist for DSM. Figure 2 is a 3-D model of the IP chargeability prepared by Mr. Buckle that shows the outline of the anomalous area which extends in the north from the old mine area southwards for at least 1.6km. Holes CAN-105 and CAN-106 confirm the continuation of the mineralized reefs in the gap in IP coverage due to steep topography.

"Step out hole CAN-105 further confirms that the same mineralized stratigraphy in the old Canavieiras Mine area extends much further south," commented Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration. "The IP survey indicates that there could be an additional strike length of as much as 1,000 metres from the south end of the mine workings, hence the potential to outline substantial additional resources in this target area is excellent."

Drilling is continuing at Canavieiras with two underground drill rigs and one surface rig. Two additional surface holes are scheduled for completion in the southern extension area prior to the December holiday break. Drilling from underground in the No. 6 adit will commence in January 2006. Line cutting over the strike length extension to the south is in progress and will be used to expand induced polarization coverage in 2006 as well as complete detailed geological mapping prior to drill testing. Use of down-hole IP surveys is also planned to aid target selection for diamond drilling.

Assaying for the program was carried out by Lakefield Geosol, an ISO 9001, 2000 laboratory based in Brazil, using fire assay on 50 gram pulps. Check assaying is routinely carried out, by ALS Chemex in Vancouver, on 10% of sample pulps and 5% of sample rejects. Independent standard reference samples are also inserted at regular intervals into each batch of analyses. Security is maintained at the core logging and sampling facility. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the scientific and technical work on the exploration program.

Desert Sun Mining is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange with 100% ownership of the Jacobina Mine and the 155 km long Bahia Gold Belt in the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. Proven and Probable mineral reserves in the Jacobina Mine area are 17,620,000 tonnes at 2.11 g Au/t containing 1,200,000 ounces of gold. As a result of the Desert Sun's exploration programs to date, Measured and Indicated resources total 24,800,000 tonnes at 2.53 g Au/t containing 2,050,000 ounces of gold, and Inferred Resources total 22,200,000 tonnes at 2.61 g Au/t containing 1,900,000 ounces of gold. The mineral reserves are included within the Measured and Indicated mineral resources. For additional information, contact Naomi Nemeth, Vice President, Investor Relations at 416-861-5901 ([e-mail]) or visit Desert Sun's website at www.desertsunmining.com.

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual developments or results may vary materially from those in these "forward-looking statements". This news release also uses the terms "measured resources", 'indicated resources' and 'inferred resources'. Desert Sun Mining Corp. advises investors that although these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations (under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. In addition, 'inferred resources' have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies except for Preliminary Assessment as defined under 43-101. Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

Table 1: Significant New Drilling Results for Canavieiras

                                                                Depth
                                                                Below
                                                                  570
                                                 True            Adit
                                  Gold Interval Width           Level
Hole No.(1)    From (m)  To (m)  (g/t)      (m)   (m)     Reef (m)(2)

CAN-105        N8757800 E335163 El 641
Dip -82/az 91    182.50  204.03   2.01    21.53  14.4 Holandez    120
       incl.     182.50  195.10   2.53    12.60   8.4 Holandez    116
       incl.     193.10  195.10   6.93     2.00   1.3 Holandez    122
                 229.57  237.04   2.46     7.47   5.0  Lib+Pir    160
       incl.     229.57  230.90  10.72     1.33   0.9 Liberino    157
                 253.06  261.00  11.71     7.94   5.3   MU top    185
            highs cut to 30 g/t  10.09
                 334.30  336.50   1.42     2.20   1.5       MU    260
                 381.46  386.50   6.15     5.04   3.4       LU    310

CAN-106(3)     N8757730 E335172 El 645
Dip -79/az 89     82.90   91.30   2.60     8.40   5.3 Holandez      9
                 132.26  132.70  37.45     0.44   0.3 Holandez     55
                 285.13  306.57   1.86    21.44  13.5  Lib+Pir    215
       incl.     285.13  294.47   3.20     9.34   5.9 Liberino    210
       incl.     304.50  306.57   2.52     2.07   1.3 Piritoso    225
                 350.50  400.35   2.36    49.85  31.4 MU total    320
       incl.     350.50  368.50   2.92    18.00  11.3   MU top    280
       incl.     350.50  358.90   5.00     8.40   5.3   MU top    278
       incl.     385.10  400.35   3.94    15.25   9.6  MU base    311
       incl.     395.50  400.35   7.02     4.85   3.1  MU base    317

(1) all holes are NQ core size
(2) depth calculated based on midpoint of intersection
(3) hole previously released in press release dated November 3, 2005

Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be viewed by clicking on the following link: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/dsm_figures.pdf

Desert Sun Mining Corp. (TSX:DSM) (AMEX:DEZ)