Orezone Resources Inc.: Gold Fields Approves US $7.9 Million Increase in Essakan Budget.

OTTAWA -- Total expenditure commitment rises to US $16.7 million

Orezone Resources Inc. (AMEX:OZN)(TSX:OZN) is pleased to announce that Gold Fields Limited ("GFL") has approved a US $7.9 million increase in the budget for Orezone's Essakan project in Burkina Faso, West Africa. This is the second budget increase in the last four months and brings GFL's total commitment to US $16.7 million. US $2.9 million of the increased budget will be used to continue expanding resources in the Essakan Main Zone ("EMZ") and the balance of US $5.0 million will be used to complete a pre-feasibility study.

As of August, 2004 the EMZ had an indicated resource of 49 Mt grading 1.5 g/t (2.4 Moz) and an inferred resource of 5.7 Mt grading 1.7 g/t (0.3 Moz) based on a 0.5 g/t cut off grade. This resource will be updated in the next few months using only the results from holes drilled to the end of April, 2005. The expanded budget will allow drilling to continue on the EMZ with the objectives of:

1. Infill drilling the core of the EMZ on 25m by 50m centers.

2. Extending the EMZ down dip to the east.

3. Completing further definition drilling of the newly discovered Lower Zone below the EMZ.

4. Infill drilling the EMZ where it has been extended along strike to both the north and south.

5. Calculating a new resource in the fall of 2005.

GFL has established an office in Burkina Faso and will complete the pre-feasibility study in conjunction with a number of independent consultants in the environmental, hydrological, resource modeling, EPCM, metallurgical and sustainable development fields. The pre-feasibility study is expected to be completed in the fall and if positive, GFL will proceed with a bankable feasibility study with the objective of making a production decision possible in the second half of 2006. Orezone will not have to contribute to any costs until the bankable study is completed.

Ron Little, President of Orezone Resources commented that "The increased budget reflects the recent success of our resource drilling, our focus on expanding resources in the EMZ and GFL's intention to advance the project as rapidly as possible." He added that "With four drills currently turning and a 2005 budget of $11.4 million, Essakan has become one of the most active exploration/development projects in West Africa. In combination with our other projects, Orezone's total exploration budget for the year has grown to over $17 million."

GFL can earn a 50 per cent interest in the Essakan Property by spending US $8 million over five years, and can increase its interest to 60 per cent by financing and completing a bankable feasibility study. GFL will surpass US $8 million in expenditures this month and has made Essakan one of its top priority exploration and development projects. Orezone is currently the operator of the joint venture.

Orezone Resources Inc. (OZN:TSX, AMEX) is an emerging gold producer that owns Essakan, the largest gold deposit in Burkina Faso, as well as a number of other advanced stage projects in West Africa. Burkina Faso is a politically stable country that is located in one of the world's fastest growing gold producing regions. Orezone's mission is to create wealth by discovering and developing the earth's resources in an efficient and responsible manner. Orezone is based in Ottawa, Canada.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that the Company reports "resources," which are mineral deposits that have not been proven economic to extract or produce. In their filings with the SEC, U.S. mining companies are only permitted to disclose reserves which can be economically and legally extracted or produced. U.S. Investors are referred to our Annual Report on Form 40-F (File No. 001-31890), which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.