African Aura Mining Inc. - APPOINTMENT OF PETER TAYLOR AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Jan. 18, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --

TSX-V: AUR
AIM: AAAM

LONDON, UK, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The Board of African Aura Mining Inc ("African Aura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the senior management appointment of Peter Taylor as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect.

Luis da Silva, Chief Executive of African Aura, commented:

"Peter joined the Company thirteen months ago and has presided and contributed to the Company's largest value creation period. With his team, he has been instrumental in the delivery of several key milestones for the Company and in this key position will continue to drive the initiatives on the ground as we look ahead to a defining period with the impending split of gold and iron ore."

Peter Wilson Taylor has held senior management roles in mining, heavy civil engineering and aviation with blue chip organisations including De Beers, Balfour Beatty International and British Midland Airways. He has global experience gained in Africa, Asia and Europe. Peter has a MBA from the Cranfield School of Management and is a graduate Mining Engineer from Camborne School of Mines.

About African Aura Mining Inc.
African Aura is an established exploration and development company listed on the TSX-V (AUR) and London's AIM (AAAM). The Company operates two divisions, namely: iron ore and gold:

• The iron ore division includes its 38.5% interest in the Putu iron ore project in Liberia, which is moving through pre-feasibility managed by joint venture partner Severstal Resources (the mining division of Moscow listed OAO Severstal). In September 2010 Putu was granted a 25 year renewable Mineral Development Agreement by the Government of Liberia. The division also includes a 100% interest in the Nkout iron ore project and surrounding iron targets in Cameroon which is subject to a resource definition drilling programme.
• The gold division includes the New Liberty gold deposit in western Liberia which has a resource of 1.51 million ounces of gold grading 3.78 g/t (comprising 5,599,000 tonnes grading 4.17 g/t in the indicated category and 7,040,000 tonnes grading 3.40 g/t in the inferred category) which is being advanced through a bankable feasibility study, and the proximal Ndablama, Weaju, Silver Hills and Gondoja gold projects all within the Company's Bea Mountain 25 year renewable Mineral Development Agreement.
• In addition the Company has a 22% interest in AIM-listed diamond producer Stellar Diamonds Plc (AIM: STEL, www.stellar-diamonds.com).

The Company has a highly motivated and experienced team with a track record of discovering mines and taking projects through development and into production. As a pioneer, African Aura has attracted some excellent strategic partners and shareholders, always with the objective of preserving or enhancing shareholder value.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of African Aura, are forward-looking statements that involve various known and unknown risks and uncertainties as well as other factors. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, except as may be required by applicable law, African Aura disclaim any obligation to update or modify such forward-looking statements, either as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

on the Company you are invited to visit its website at www.african-aura.com or SEDAR's website at www.sedar.com, or contact one of the following: