Aurizon estimates that Casa Berardi Gold Mine -
will produce approximately 185,000 ounces of Gold in 2007 -
at a total cash cost of US$250 per ounce -
using a Canadian dollar exchange rate
of 1.13. -
Aurizon Produces 17,731 Ounces of Gold in 2006 -
Thursday January 11, 9:00 am ET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 11, 2007 --
Aurizon Mines Ltd.
(TSX:ARZ.TO - News)(AMEX:AZK - News) is pleased to announce that 17,731 ounces of gold were produced in 2006 at its 100% owned Casa Berardi Mine, in north-western Quebec, since start-up of production in early November, 2006.
Mine operations at Casa Berardi remain on schedule to achieve commercial production in the first quarter of 2007, with production gradually increasing from an initial rate
of 1,600 tonnes per day to 2,200 tonnes per day by
the end of 2007.
The following important initial start-up milestones have
been achieved:
- A total of 68,481 tonnes of ore were milled at an average gold grade of 8.6 grams per tonne, which compares favourably with the reserve grade of 7.8 grams per tonne.
- Mill recoveries of 93.9% were achieved, which compares favourably to the 91% recoveries estimated in the feasibility study.
- Gold production totalled 17,731 ounces.
- At December 31, 2006, Aurizon had sold 6,882 ounces of gold from Casa Berardi at a price of US$625 per ounce, for total proceeds of CDN$5.0 million.
"We are very pleased with the initial start up of the Casa Berardi Mine," said David P. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aurizon. "We would like to thank our employees and the contractors involved for the significant achievements made to date."
Aurizon estimates that Casa Berardi will produce approximately 185,000 ounces of gold in 2007 at a
total cash cost of US$250 per ounce, using a
Canadian dollar exchange rate of 1.13.
Aurizon is a gold producer with a growth strategy focused on developing its existing projects in the Abitibi region of north-western Quebec, one of the world's most prolific gold
and base metal regions, and by increasing its asset
base through accretive transactions.
Aurizon shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol "ARZ" and on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol "AZK". Additional information on Aurizon and its properties is available on Aurizon's website at aurizon.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This News Release contains "forward-looking statements".
These forward-looking statements include,---- Report on
Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission. These documents are available
on Sedar at www.sedar.com and on Edgar at
www.sec.gov.
U.S. Registration: (File #0-22672)
Contact:
Contacts:
Aurizon Mines Ltd.
David Hall
President
(604) 687-6600 or Toll Free: 1-888-411-GOLD
Aurizon Mines Ltd.
Ian S. Walton
Chief Financial Officer
(604) 687-6600 or Toll Free: 1-888-411-GOLD
(604) 687-3932 (FAX)
Email: info@aurizon.com
Website: aurizon.com
Source: Aurizon Mines Ltd.
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