GOLD RESERVES: Casa Berardi mine life extended thanks to 44% increase in contained gold

QUEBEC - Aurizon Mines of Vancouver reports that mineral reserves have increased 44% at the end of 2010 compared to a year earlier. Contained gold  in reserves is now estimated to be 1.46 million oz, up from 1.01 million oz at the end of 2009. The increase allows the company to extend the mine life to 10 years from six years.

Proven and probable tonnage was 7.85 million tonnes averaging 5.8 g/t Au at the end of 2010. The Casa Berardi property also has a measured and indicated mineral resource of 4.48 million tonnes at 5.7 g/t Au, and an inferred resources of 3.98 million tonnes at 5.8 g/t Au.

The Casa Berardi gold deposits are located along a 5-km east-west mineralized corridor. They include the East and West mines, and the Principal zones. The deposits can be classified as an Archean sedimentary-hosted lode gold deposit. Mineralization is superimposed on a continuous graphitic mudrock unit corresponding to the Casa Berardi Fault plane. Gold occurs mainly south of the Casa Berardi Fault, and occasionally on both sides of the fault.

A prefeasibility study has been completed for an open pit at the Principal mine. Aurizon said the pit will be small and operational for three years.

The company's website, www.Aurizon.com, includes excellent photo galleries from all of Aurizon's projects.