Aura Minerals Announces Authorization for Transfer of Ernesto/Pau-a-Pique Mineral Concessions

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - May 11, 2016) - Aura Minerals Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: ORA) announces that it has received confirmation from Brazil's National Department of Mineral Production (Departamento Nacional de Producao Mineral, "DNPM") that the authorization for the transfer of the mineral rights for the concessions comprising the Ernesto/Pau-a-Pique project (the "Project") to the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Mineracao Apoena S.A. have been published in Brazil's Official Federal Gazette.

With the publication in the Official Federal Gazette, the Company anticipates that the formal closing of the acquisition of the Project will be completed shortly.

Mr. James Bannantine, the Company's President and CEO stated, "As we have previously noted, the acquisition of the Project is an excellent opportunity for the Company particularly given the location of the Project in Mato Grosso and the associated synergies with the Company's Sao Francisco mine. We are confident that we can restart the Project as a positive cash flowing mine in the second half of 2016."

Cautionary Note

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements", as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements with respect to the Ernesto/Pau-a-Pique project. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, without limitation, statements with respect to the suspension of operations and the resolution of the current situation at the San Andres mine.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to predict or control could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Annual Information Form on file with certain Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation, commodity price volatility, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic conditions and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.