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VANCOUVER, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - Luna Gold Corp. (TSXV-LGC) ("Luna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been
granted a further 35,000 ha of new mineral exploration licenses in the
Aurizona Regional project area by the Brazilian Mines Department
(DNPM).


The granting of the four new exploration licences has increased the
Company's landholding to 165,000 ha of contiguous areas 100% owned by
Luna's Brazilian subsidiary company. The Aurizona Regional project area
is located to the southwest and southeast of the Aurizona Main project
area and contains multiple shear zones and numerous historic artisanal
gold workings. A new claim map has been uploaded to the Luna Gold
website at


The Aurizona Regional project is located within the Sao Luis Craton,
southeast of the Guiana shield, which hosts several major gold deposits
including Rosebel and Las Cristinas. Geologic reconstruction of the
South American and African continents places the Sao Luis Craton in
close proximity to the Birimian Gold Belt of West Africa. Strong
geologic and structural similarities exist between the Sao Luis Craton,
the Guiana shield and the West African Craton. The area is
characterized by low relief and an extensive sedimentary cover sequence
with deep weathering profiles. Over 50 gold garimpos (artisanal gold
workings) occur within the Aurizona Regional project area. Historic
exploration in the district was limited to soil and rock sampling,
auger drilling, geophysical surveys and some shallow reconnaissance
drill holes.


Luna's VP Exploration, Titus Haggan, states, "These areas were staked
following a detailed reinterpretation of Luna's proprietary
aerogeophysical survey in late 2009 and field reconnaissance in early
2010 which identified extensions to the Aurizona Group greenstone
terrain in northwest Maranhao in areas previously mapped as crystalline
basement. Numerous regional scale structures and strong magnetic
anomalies occur in the new areas which are characteristics shared with
the Aurizona Main gold camp. Our exploration teams are currently
exploring in four target areas at Aurizona Regional."


About Luna Gold Corp


Luna is a gold mining and exploration company engaged in the exploration
and development of gold deposits and advanced stage gold exploration
projects in Brazil. The Company is currently commissioning its Aurizona
gold mine in Maranhao, Brazil.


On behalf of the Board of Directors


LUNA GOLD CORP.


John Blake - President and CEO


Website:
Instrument 43-101 responsible for the scientific and technical work on
the exploration program and has supervised the preparation of and
reviewed the technical disclosure in this press release. Non qualified
persons currently work on Luna's exploration programs under the
guidance of Titus Haggan. Dr Haggan takes responsibility for work,
information and advice generated by non-Qualified persons and has taken
the steps required to ensure that the work, information and advice is
sound.


This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The
securities have not been and will not be registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws
and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S.
persons unless registered under the United States Securities Act of
1933 and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such
registration is available.


Forward-Looking Statements


Statements in this release that are forward-looking statements are
subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific
factors identified in Luna Gold Corp.'s periodic filings with Canadian
Securities Regulators. Such forward-looking information represents
management's best judgment based on information currently available. No
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results
may vary materially. Luna Gold does not assume the obligation to update
any forward-looking statement.




For further information: For further information contact Investor Relations at (604) 689-7317 or toll free at 1-866-689-7317.