Aura Minerals Awards Feasibility Study on Serrote Deposit to SNC-Lavalin Inc.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 12, 2011) - Aura Minerals Inc. ("Aura Minerals" or the "Company") (TSX:ORA) is pleased to announce that SNC-Lavalin Inc. and its Brazilian subsidiary, SNC-Lavalin Minerconsult Engenharia Ltda., have been awarded the definitive feasibility study on the advanced-stage Serrote da Laje deposit ("Serrote Deposit") at its wholly-owned copper-gold-iron ore Arapiraca Project in Alagoas State, Brazil. The feasibility study is underway and is scheduled for completion late in the first quarter of 2012.

The feasibility study will focus on developing the Serrote Deposit as an open pit mine that will supply sulphide ore to a concentrator, producing copper in concentrate with gold credits, as well as an iron in magnetite concentrate.

Commenting on this award, Mr. Tom Ogryzlo, Interim CEO of Aura Minerals, stated, "The commencement of the feasibility study is an important milestone for the project. We are very pleased to have selected SNC-Lavalin. We believe that their extensive knowledge and experience in the mining industry combined with their strong local presence in Brazil will be of great benefit."

About Aura Minerals Inc.

Aura Minerals is a Canadian mid-tier gold and copper producing company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of gold and base metal projects in the Americas. The Company's producing assets include the San Andres gold mine in Honduras, and the Sao Francisco and Sao Vicente gold mines in Brazil. The Company also operates the copper-gold-silver Aranzazu Mine in Mexico. Other significant assets include the advanced-stage Serrote Deposit at the copper- gold-iron ore Arapiraca Project in Brazil.

For further information, please visit Aura Minerals' web site at www.auraminerals.com.