Desert Sun Updates Drilling at Pindobacu in Bahia Gold Belt, Brazil.

TORONTO -- DESERT SUN MINING CORP. (TSX:DSM)(AMEX:DEZ) reports that it has received results for an additional 14 holes completed in the Pindobacu target area located 50km north of Jacobina. As previously reported (see press release November 3, 2005) the more recent drill holes at Pindobacu have tested the core area that extends at least 700 metres along strike at a deeper level (100m to 150m) than the original series of 100 metres spaced holes (50-80m).

Highlights from new holes at the Pindobacu target include:

- 23.63 (13.51 with highs cut to 30 g/t) over a true width of 2.5m in PB-30

- 3.11g Au/t over a true width of 8.0m in PB-27

- 3.02 g Au/t over a true width of 5.1m in PB-35

New results from drilling received to date are shown in Table1. Figure 1 is a plan map showing locations of the drill holes which have tested a total strike length of 1.3km along the mineralized  structure.

"The new results continue to enhance the potential for outlining a significant gold deposit at Pindobacu," commented Dr. Bill Pearson, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration. In the deeper series of holes, the silicified and mineralized zone is wider and more intense, however it is clear that the core of the hydrothermal system is likely deeper which will require further geophysical work and drilling to locate."

Based on drilling and detailed mapping at the Pindobacu, Entry Point and Fumaca targets the mineralized structure has now been traced over a strike length of 18 km and a new exploration model has been developed for the structural evolution and deposition of gold mineralization. Gold occurs as very fine grains of native gold associated with tourmaline within fractured, faulted and brecciated quartzites in the hinge area of a major fold structure. A 3-D model has been prepared combining geological information with the interpretation of the recently completed induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey that was prepared by John Buckle, P.Geo., consulting geophysicist. This model and down-hole IP surveys will be used to guide further drilling at Pindobacu in 2006.

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 Pindobacu


                                                               Depth
                                                      True     Below
Hole No.(1)         From      To     Gold Interval   Width   Surface
                      (m)     (m)    (g/t)      (m)     (m)    (m)(2)
PINDOBACU
PB-21(3)        N8812149 E348945   el 587
Dip -48/az 270     61.70   65.35     4.04     3.65     3.4        55

PB-22           N8812250 E348968   El 558
Dip -50/az 273  No significant results

PB-23           N8812350 E348997   El 533
Dip -50/az 270     76.00   76.92     1.69     0.92     0.8        64
                   84.08   86.23     2.61     2.15     1.8        71

PB-24           N8811552 E349007   El 619
Dip -50/az 270     53.41   56.00     1.30     2.59     2.4        58
                   63.50   64.58     2.33     1.08     1.0        69

PB-25           N8811899 E348978   El 617
Dip -50/az 270     95.00   96.64     0.91     1.64     1.5        92
                  101.84  102.75     2.32     0.91     0.8        98
                  115.32  116.00     2.03     0.68     0.6       109
                  122.42  123.40     2.05     0.98     0.9       117

PB-26           N8811800 E348972   El 612
Dip -49/az 269    112.08  113.04     2.34     0.96     0.9       117
                  121.20  121.65     1.13     0.45     0.4       126

PB-27           N8811700 E348972   El 636
Dip -50/az 270     93.97  102.60     3.11     8.63     8.0        92

PB-28           N8811602 E348974   El 637
Dip -48/az 270     68.00   74.26     1.50     6.26     5.9        71
                   68.00   71.00     2.49     3.00     2.9        69

PB-29           N8811999 E348999   El 597
Dip -50/az 269  No significant results

PB-30           N8811603 E348917   El 661
Dip -50/az 269    101.73  104.37    23.63     2.64     2.5        88
               Highs cut to 30 g/t  13.51

PB-31           N8812100 E348975   El 585
Dip -47/az 270     85.00   90.35     1.21     5.35     5.0        81

PB-32           N8812100 E349027   el 572
Dip -50/az 270    137.67  138.62     2.03     0.95     0.9       131

PB-33           N8812150 E349000   el 572
Dip -49/az 270     99.48  101.10     1.80     1.62     1.6        93
                  106.62  110.66     1.35     4.04     3.9       100
          incl.   106.62  108.13     2.97     1.51     1.4        99

PB-34           N8812200 E349025   el 558
Dip -49/az 270    113.09  115.66     1.59     2.57     2.3       100

PB-35           N8812300 E349025   el 539
                  114.98  120.88     3.02     5.90     5.1        96

(1) all holes are NQ diamond drill core size; dip and azimuth is
    measured in degrees
(2) depth calculated based on midpoint of intersection
(3) results previously released in press release of November 3, 2005

Please click the following link to view the Location of Diamond Drill Holes at Pindobacu: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/dsmmap.pdf

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