Highly encouraging widths of iron ore intercepted at Nkout

Jan. 26, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO US NEWS WIRE SERVICES.

TSX-V: AUR
AIM:  AAAM

LONDON, UK, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - African Aura Mining Inc. ("African Aura" or the "Company"), the TSX-V (AUR) and AIM (AAAM) listed exploration and development company is pleased to announce the detailed geological intercepts at its iron ore project at Nkout, southern Cameroon.

• Phase one programme of 4,191m of diamond drilling completed at Nkout Centre
• Best results intersected include:
• 92.5m of haematite dominant cap at 46.7% Fe (hole NKGS004)
• 178m of magnetite BIF at 35.1% Fe (hole NKDD002) and
• 100m of magnetite BIF at 38.1% Fe (hole NKDD009)
• Maiden NI 43-101 compliant resource statement anticipated by early February 2011
• Intensive drill campaign of 24,000m planned for 2011

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

"The geology and extent of iron ore mineralisation within the initial 3km long Nkout centre area bodes very well for the future upside to be tested along the balance 8km of strike. The extensions east and west and further anomalies to the south will be part of a more aggressive drilling campaign in 2011. This should allow the pending resource estimate to be both increased and the resources category upgraded. The excellent drill results to date combined with the successful metallurgical testing bode very well for the potential of Nkout."

Following on from the Company's news release dated 21 September 2010, the Company completed its 4,191m core drill programme on the Nkout property in southern Cameroon in November. The drilling has confirmed the occurrence of an east-west trending and concordant magnetite bearing banded iron formation ("BIF") coincident with the geophysical target and topography of the Nkout ridge.

Drilling has focused on the Nkout centre target that makes up approximately 3km of a regional magnetic anomaly that extends for some 20km within the Djoum license area. The drilling programme that has been completed was designed to target the magnetite BIF and the overlying oxidized cap material. In total, 11 inclined drill holes were completed of which 9 intercepted a 200m average down hole sequence dominatefd by BIF units and 22 vertical drill holes targeting the oxidized cap were completed of which 11 intercepted an average of 43m before intercepting fresh BIF.

All received assays have now been received for the exploration programme with the relevant interception thickness and assay grades compiled in Table 1 and the drill hole collar locations compiled in Table 2. SRK Consulting (UK) Limited ("SRK") are currently in the process of undertaking the inaugural Mineral Resource Estimation ("MRE") for the Nkout centre project. The results of the MRE are expected to be complete by early February, 2011.

The previously stated average grade of the BIF of 40% was incorrect and as such should not be construed as the average grade of Nkout, the inaugural resource estimation is due in early February, which will include the resource grade.

Metallurgy

As reported on 19 January 2011, excellent metallurgical results were received from initial test work. Davis Tube test results were highly encouraging and show that when using a grind size of P90 less than 100µ, that a very high grade concentrate averaging >70% Fe, 0.16% Al2O3, 2.2% SiO2 and <0.01% P is attained at a mass recovery of 42.2%.

The results of the Davis Tube test work are summarised in Table 3 and suggest that the Nkout BIF will be amenable to standard magnetic separation techniques. SRK selected 94 representative samples from the magnetite BIF for the test work.

The oxidized cap material shows elevated Fe grades with a maximum grade of to 61.8% Fe (total). The elevated grade is a result of the natural enrichment of the BIF after Silica dissolution, this being a typical weathering profile of Fe deposits in Central and West Africa. All assay results and Davis Tube Test work was completed at OMAC's facilities in Ireland.

Qualified Person

The summary of the Exploration results has been completed by Howard Baker, a Principal Mining Geologist with SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). Howard Baker has some ten years experience in the exploration, definition and mining of iron ore Mineral Resources. Howard Baker is a full-time employee of SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd, an independent Consultancy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration, and to the type of activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the June 2009 Edition of the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Howard Baker consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears and confirms that this information is accurate and not false or misleading.

Table 1: Nkout Intervals and Assay Grades

Table 2: Nkout Drillhole Collar Locations

Table 3: Davis Tube Testwork Results

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: