Highvista Gold Inc. Commences Drilling at Canasta Dorada Gold Project

THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR
DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.


Highvista Gold Inc. ("Highvista" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:HVV) is pleased
to report that it has commenced its 2012 drill program at its Canasta Dorada
Gold Project, located within the Sonoran Gold Belt, in Sonora State, Mexico.
This phase of drilling will include up to thirty-two reverse circulation drill
holes totaling 4,500 meters.


To date, Highvista has identified five priority drill targets at the Canasta
Dorada Gold Project; Big Pit, Republicana, Las Quintas, Chanate North and
Caballo Pinto. This 2012 drill program will expand upon the drill program the
Company completed in late 2011 on the Big Pit, Republicana and Las Quintas
targets, and will drill test the two new priority targets located along the
Chanate Fault extension - the Chanate North and Caballo Pinto targets. This
drill program is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2012,
with results released throughout the third quarter of 2012.


"We are excited to be drilling again at Canasta Dorada." said Rick Adams,
President and CEO of Highvista. "We are fully funded to complete this drill
program and are looking forward to expanding upon the previously drilled areas
and drill testing the Chanate North and Caballo Pinto target areas. These new
targets are large and located along the same structural trend as the
neighbouring El Chanate Mine. Moreover, the mineralization and host rock are
similar to that found at Chanate."


Qualified Person

This press release was reviewed and prepared by Rick Adams, P. Eng., the
President, CEO and a Director of the Company, who is recognized as a Qualified
Person under the guidelines of National Instrument 43-101.


About Highvista 

Highvista owns 100% of a Mexican subsidiary that controls the 24,215 hectare
Canasta Dorada Gold Project. This project is located in the Sonoran Gold Belt
immediately adjacent to AuRico Gold's El Chanate Mine. 


Details of Highvista's Canasta Dorada Project can be viewed at the Company's
website at www.highvistagold.com.


READER ADVISORY 

Statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information
including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's proposed
drill programs. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are
not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking
statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of
any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including but not
limited to, the availability of skilled labour, availability of equipment, and
future capital and operating costs. Events or circumstances may cause actual
results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known
and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond
the control of the Company. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from any forward-looking information include, but are not limited to,
the risks of capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates,
delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental
or other project approvals, inflation, commodity price and exchange rate
fluctuations, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to
production, health, safety and environmental risks, delays in the development of
projects, uncertainties relating to the interpretation of the geology,
unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, availability of equipment
and skilled labour, operation of equipment in accordance with expectations, and
other factors. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by
management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual
results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary
statement.


The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of
the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any
obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as expressly required by securities law.