About Aura Minerals

Aura Minerals is a Canadian-based company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of gold and base metal projects in the Americas. Aura Minerals’ portfolio includes three producing mines, the San Andres Gold Mine located in La Union, Honduras and the Sao Francisco and Sao Vicente gold mines, located in north western Brazil. In total, the Company’s portfolio contains over 1.5 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves. Gold production from these three mines is expected to average approximately 220,000 ounces annually.

Aura Minerals’ portfolio also includes advanced-stage development and pre-production projects. The wholly owned Aranzazu Project, located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, is the most advanced of these projects and hosts a large copper resource with significant concentrations of gold and silver. The Company plans to restart the Aranzazu Project in 2010, and is focused on a staged expansion to deliver production growth. A significant exploration program will also be conducted to increase the confidence level of the current resource classification and to expand the large resource base.

The feasibility-stage Serrote Deposit at the Arapiraca Project, located in Alagoas State, Brazil, is also in development. The Arapiraca Project hosts a large resource in the main Serrote Deposit, which was the subject of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2009. The Preliminary Economic Assessment demonstrated that the Serrote Deposit would provide strong economic returns in an area of excellent infrastructure in Brazil, one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions. Aura Minerals completed all work required for the environmental permit in 2009, and the Company has now been granted an Installation License for the Serrote Deposit; this is the last major permit required, which allows the Company to proceed to the construction stage. In 2010, exploration targets near the Serrote Deposit will also be explored to add to the resources and economics at the Arapiraca Project.

Moving forward, Aura Minerals will continue to engage in strategic activities that demonstrate the Company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. The Company’s focused growth strategy is underpinned by a production platform of approximately 220,000 ounces of gold from its three gold mines, strengthened by copper, gold and silver production from the Aranzazu Project beginning in mid-2010. Aura Minerals’ experienced management team, strong financial position and attractive portfolio of diversified projects will continue to strengthen the Company’s position as a mid-tier gold producer.