VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2013) - Aurizon Mines Ltd. (News - Market indicators)(NYSE MKT:AZK) is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Our financial results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue of $224 million from 133,990 ounces of gold sold at an average realized price of US$1,658 per ounce
  
  
• Net profit of $32 million, or $0.19 per basic share, and EBITDA of $92 million
  
  
• Cash and cash equivalents balance of $204 million and debt-free at year-end
  
  
• Cash flow from operations of $62 million
  
  

2012 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

• Casa Berardi produced 136,848 ounces of gold at total cash costs of US$696 per ounce, in-line with previous guidance of 137,000 ounces and US$695 per ounce
  
  
• 693,859 tonnes of ore milled at unit mining costs of $140 per tonne
  
  
• Replenishment of Casa Berardi mineral reserves to 1,461,000 ounces of gold (net of mining depletion) at December 31, 2012. A successful drilling program resulted in a 6% increase in the average underground mineral reserve grade to 7.1 grams/tonne and an 11% increase in mineral reserves, before mining depletion, compared to 2011. 
  
  
• Successful transition from contractor to owner-operated mining at Casa Berardi
  
  
• Self-funded capital investments at Casa Berardi of $75 million are facilitating transition into Zones 118 and 123 and increased operational flexibility
  
  
• Completed the 2012 drill program at Heva, with an in-pit and underground mineral resource estimate to be completed within the first half of 2013
  
  
• Positive feasibility study received on the Joanna-Hosco deposit of the advanced stage Heva-Hosco gold property
  
  

From the President and Chief Executive Officer, George Paspalas

2013 is a transition year at Casa Berardi where we are completing the required infrastructure to commence mining new areas east of the production shaft.  These new mining areas will be the foundation of future underground production at Casa Berardi.  With year-end cash and cash equivalent balances of $204.2 million together with strong operating cash flows, we expect that Aurizon will be able to easily fund the capital and exploration projects planned for 2013.

Production performance at Casa Berardi was consistent with Aurizon's revised expectations for 2012 at 136,848 ounces, and we are very encouraged by the increase in underground reserve grades announced on February 14, 2013, and the potential for both surface and underground zone extensions around the Principal area at Casa Berardi, and are looking forward to the forthcoming resource estimate at the Heva project.

We are committed to maximizing the value of Casa Berardi, and a successful completion of the transition phase will allow us to once again achieve historical production levels.

Regarding the two bids for the Company, we continue to urge Aurizon Shareholders to compare the actual consideration available under each of the two bids.  Based on the closing share prices of Hecla and Alamos on March 13, 2013, and assuming that all shareholders elected to receive either cash or shares, the Hecla Arrangement will provide total consideration of CAD$4.60 per Aurizon share, (including cash consideration of $3.11 per Aurizon share), which represents a CAD$0.31 per share premium to the total consideration of the unsolicited bid by Alamos of CAD$4.29 per share, (including cash consideration of $2.04 per Aurizon share).

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

SUMMARY OF 2012 ANNUAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

Revenue in 2012 totalled $223.6 million, primarily from the sale of 133,990 gold ounces at a realized gold price of US$1,658 per ounce. This compares to revenue in 2011 of $260.0 million, from the sale of 165,250 gold ounces at a realized gold price of US$1,578 per ounce. The $36.4 million decrease in revenue from 2011 to 2012 is comprised of the following components:

• $49.0 million decrease from 18.9% fewer gold ounces sold, mainly as a result of reduced production due to lower grades; partially offset by
  
  
• $10.5 million increase from a 5.0% rise in the realized gold price per ounce; and a
  
  
• $2.1 million increase from a strengthening of the USD/CAD exchange rate realized on gold sales in 2012 to 1.002 from 0.992 realized in 2011.
  
  

COST OF SALES

Cost of sales in 2012 totalled $131.8 million, comprised of operating costs of $94.3 million and depreciation and amortization of $37.5 million. Cost of sales in 2011 totalled $127.7 million, comprised of operating costs of $88.8 million and depreciation and amortization of $38.9 million. The $4.1 million, or 3.2%, increase in 2012 over 2011 is due to higher unit production costs partially offset by lower sales volume.

Operating costs, comprised of mining, milling and refining costs, increased by $5.5 million, or 6.2%, from 2011 to 2012. Total cash costs were US$696 per gold ounce in 2012, compared to US$537 in 2011, while gold ounces sold decreased to 133,990 ounces in 2012 from 165,250 ounces in 2011. The increase in total cash costs per ounce is attributable mainly to the combination of a lower average ore grade, a lower mill recovery rate, general inflationary pressures, reduced efficiency from mining smaller-sized stopes and development temporarily constrained by the shaft-deepening project. 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $1.4 million from 2011 to 2012. On a per-ounce basis, this expense increased to US$280/ounce in 2012 from US$238 in 2011. This increase reflects the amortization of higher-than-historical levels of capital investment seen in 2011 and 2012 and the decrease in sales volume from 2011 to 2012.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit was $91.8 million in 2012, compared to $132.3 million in 2011. This change reflects revenue lower by $36.4 million and cost of sales higher by $4.1 million as described above. Higher realized gold prices were more than offset by higher total cash costs, resulting in an operating profit margin of US$962 per ounce in 2012, as compared to US$1041 per ounce in 2011.

EXPLORATION COSTS

Exploration expenditures on mineral properties in Quebec, exclusive of Casa Berardi, decreased 32.5% to $17.9 million in 2012 from $26.5 million in 2011. $8.2 million, or 95%, of the total reduction is attributable to the Fayolle and Rex South Properties. Expenditures on the Fayolle Property were relatively high in 2011 as the Company incurred costs to meet a commitment under the related option and joint venture agreement. Expenditures on the Rex South Property declined in 2012 as the Company fulfilled its requirement, by the end of 2011, to incur an aggregate of $5 million of work during the first five years of the related earn-in agreement. During 2012, the Company terminated its option agreements in respect of the Rex South and Patris properties. The following table summarizes the exploration expenditures incurred in 2012 and 2011:

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATION COSTS

General and administrative costs reflect the head office costs in Vancouver, B.C. as well as the administrative and technical group in Val d'Or, Quebec. These costs declined to $17.5 million in 2012, from $19.4 million in 2011. The majority of the decrease relates to stock compensation expense which was $5.3 million in 2012, compared to $6.5 million in 2011.

INCOME AND RESOURCE TAX EXPENSE

Income and resource taxes in 2012 totalled $24.3 million, or 43.3% of profit before taxes, compared to $42.7 million, or 49.3% of profit before taxes. The higher effective tax rate in 2011 is largely attributable to the substantive enactment of new Quebec resource tax legislation that retroactively increased the rate from 12% to 14% for nine months of 2010 and to 15% for 2011. Current income and resource tax expense totalled $25.2 million in 2012 compared to $41.1 million in 2011.

NET PROFIT

Net profit in 2012 totalled $31.8 million, or $0.19 per basic share, compared to net profit of $43.9 million, or $0.27 per share in 2011. The reduction of 27.6% is mostly explained by the combination of lower gold production at higher production costs and a non-recurring $1.3 million impairment loss on marketable securities, partially offset by the combination of a higher realized gold price, lower exploration costs, lower general and administration costs and a lower effective tax rate.

BALANCE SHEET

The Company held $204.2 million of cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2012, a $9.3 million decrease compared to $213.5 million as at December 31, 2011. In 2012, positive cash flow from operating activities of $62.3 million and financing activities of $5.8 million was more than offset by $77.4 million of investing activities as described below.

Net working capital, calculated as total current assets less total current liabilities, was $204.6 million as at December 31, 2012, compared to $197.8 million as at December 31, 2011.

The Company held no financial debt as at December 31, 2012.

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

The Company generated $62.4 million of cash flow from operating activities in 2012, compared to $121.0 million in 2011. This reduction in cash flow is primarily attributable to non-cash working capital movements in respect of income and resource tax balances and a lower operating profit. The non-cash working capital movements in respect of income and resource tax balances contributed a decrease of $19.2 million in 2012 compared to an increase of $25.5 million in 2011. The $19.2 million movement for the 2012 period is largely due to $18.4 million of income and resource taxes paid in respect of 2011 taxes owed. Operating profit of $54.5 million was $31.5 million lower than in 2011.

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Investing activities totalled $77.4 million in 2012, compared to $49.0 million in 2011. The majority of investing activities relate to capital expenditures at the Casa Berardi Mine, detailed as follows: 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

The $45.9 million invested in mining equipment and infrastructure at Casa Berardi in 2012 included $15.5 million on machinery and equipment, $12.3 million on the shaft deepening, $10.1 million on the paste backfill and wet shotcrete plants, and $6.1 million on surface infrastructure. In 2011, the $13.7 million investment related primarily to machinery and equipment.

In addition to capital expenditures, the Company's investing activities for 2012 included $0.7 million of mineral property option payments, $1.2 million of reclamation deposits and $0.5 million of marketable securities under the terms of a property option agreement. In 2011, the Company's investing activities included $0.8 million of mineral property option payments, $0.4 million of reclamation deposits and $0.5 million to acquire marketable securities under the terms of a property option agreement. 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Financing activities, primarily related to the issuance of shares upon the exercise of stock options, resulted in cash inflows of $5.8 million in 2012, compared to $1.8 million in 2011.

SUMMARY OF FOURTH QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

REVENUE

Revenue in Q4'12 totalled $56.2 million, primarily from the sale of 33,147 gold ounces at a realized gold price of US$1,701 per ounce, compared to revenue in Q4'11 of $85.7 million, from the sale of 50,787 gold ounces at a realized gold price of US$1,655 per ounce. The $29.5 million decrease in revenue from Q4'11 to Q4'12 is comprised of the following components:

• $29.7 million decrease from 34.7% fewer gold ounces sold, mainly as a result of reduced production due to lower grades; and a
  
  
• $1.3 million decrease from a weakening of the USD/CAD exchange rate realized on gold sales in Q4'12 to 0.993, from 1.016 realized in Q4'11; partially offset by a
  
  
• $1.5 million increase from a 2.8% rise in the realized gold price per ounce.
  
  

COST OF SALES

Cost of sales in Q4'12 totalled $32.3 million, comprised of operating costs of $22.7 million and depreciation and amortization of $9.6 million. Cost of sales in Q4'11 totalled $38.9 million, comprised of operating costs of $26.4 million and depreciation and amortization of $12.5 million. The $6.6 million, or 17.0%, decrease from Q4'11 to Q4'12 reflects higher unit production costs more than offset by lower sales volume.

Operating costs, comprised of mining, milling and refining costs, decreased by $3.7 million from Q4'11 to Q4'12. Total cash costs were US$683 per gold ounce in Q4'12, compared to US$503 in Q4'11, while gold ounces sold decreased to 33,147 ounces in Q4'12 from 50,787 ounces in Q4'11. The increase in total cash costs per ounce is attributable mainly to the combination of a lower average ore grade, a lower mill recovery rate, general inflationary pressures, reduced efficiency from mining smaller-sized stopes and development temporarily constrained by the shaft-deepening project. 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $2.9 million from Q4'11 to Q4'12. On a unit basis, this expense increased to US$294 per ounce in Q4'12 from US$241 in Q4'11. This increase reflects the amortization of higher-than-historical levels of capital investment seen in 2011 and 2012, and the decrease in sales volume from Q4'11 to Q4'12.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit was $23.9 million in Q4'12, compared to $46.8 million in Q4'11. This change reflects revenue lower by $29.5 million and cost of sales lower by $6.6 million as described above. A higher realized gold price was more than offset by higher total cash costs, resulting in an operating profit margin of US$1,018 per ounce in Q4'12, as compared to US$1,152 per ounce in Q4'11.

EXPLORATION COSTS

Exploration expenditures on mineral properties in Quebec, exclusive of Casa Berardi, decreased to $2.0 million in Q4'12 from $6.2 million in Q4'11. This decrease is largely due to minimal expenditures related to the Hosco deposit in Q4'12, whereas exploration and feasibility work were ongoing in Q4'11.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATION COSTS

General and administrative costs reflect the head office costs in Vancouver, B.C. as well as the administrative and technical group in Val d'Or, Quebec. These costs increased to $4.6 million in Q4'12, from $4.1 million in Q4'11.

INCOME AND RESOURCE TAX EXPENSE

Income and resource taxes in Q4'12 totalled $6.9 million, or 42.3% of profit before taxes, compared to $17.0 million, or 43.8% of profit before taxes in Q4'11. Current income and resource tax expense totalled $4.2 million in Q4'12 compared to $19.2 million in Q4'11.

NET PROFIT

Net profit of $9.5 million, or $0.06 per basic share, was achieved in Q4'12, compared to net profit of $21.8 million, or $0.13 per share, in Q4'11. The reduction of 56.4% is mostly explained by the combination of lower gold production at higher production costs and a non-recurring $1.3 million impairment loss on marketable securities, partially offset by the combination of a higher realized gold price per ounce, lower exploration costs and a lower effective tax rate.

OUTLOOK FOR 2013

With a year-end cash and cash equivalents balance of $204.2 million together with strong operating cash flows, management of Aurizon expects that Aurizon will be able to fund the capital and exploration projects planned for 2013. Production performance at Casa Berardi was consistent with Aurizon's revised expectations for 2012 at 136,848 ounces. Aurizon is currently in a transition phase at Casa Berardi while it installs the required infrastructure to commence mining new areas east of the production shaft. These new mining areas will be the foundation of future underground production at Casa Berardi. The shaft sinking and lateral development out to the 118 and 123 Zones are in progress and the operation is expected to transition from the existing mining areas over the next 18 months. Management of Aurizon currently expects that Aurizon will be making a significant investment in Casa Berardi in 2013 in order to continue the development of the lower levels of the West Mine and secure a strong production profile into the future. Following the transition period, Aurizon expects that Casa Berardi will return to historical production levels.

CASA BERARDI STRATEGY FOR 2013

OPERATIONS

Operational flexibility will be constrained in the first half of 2013 during the continued shaft sinking and development to commission the 118 and 123 Zones. As a result, it is estimated that Casa Berardi will produce approximately 125,000 - 130,000 ounces of gold in 2013 at an average grade of 7.2 grams of gold per tonne. Gold production should gradually increase through the year as more stopes become available and should reach historic levels in the second half of the year.

Major shutdowns are planned for 2013, particularly in the first quarter, in order to switch over to the deepened shaft and incorporate new infrastructure into the mining schedule.

As quarterly operating results are expected to fluctuate throughout the year, they will not necessarily be reflective of these full year averages. Lower throughput at lower than average ore grades is expected in the first half of 2013 which is expected to result in approximately 33% fewer ounces of gold produced in the first half of 2013 compared to the second half of the year.

Average daily ore throughput is estimated at 1,760 tonnes per day, which would be lower than the 1,896 tonnes per day achieved in 2012. Mine sequencing in 2013 will result in ore grades that are expected to be 6% higher than 2012 at approximately 7.2 grams per tonne. Zone 118 is expected to provide ore for the first time in the third quarter with an anticipated average grade in 2013 of approximately 7.9 grams per tonne. Approximately 46% of production is expected to come from Zone 113; 22% from Zone 118; 13% from the Lower Inter Zone; and the residual 19% coming from the smaller zones and development material. Assuming a Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate at parity, total cash costs are anticipated to average US$810 per ounce in 2013 for the year gradually decreasing to US$700 per ounce in the second half. Onsite mining, milling and administration costs are expected to average $170 per tonne in 2013, up approximately 21% from 2012 projected costs as a result of the impact of fixed operating costs on lower ore throughput, higher stope preparation costs, and industry wide inflationary cost pressures, gradually trending down to $155 per tonne in the second part of the year.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures at Casa Berardi are estimated to total $102.3 million in 2013, comprised of the following:

Deepening of the West Mine production shaft continues at a budgeted cost of $19.3 million in order to provide access to the lower portions of the 113, 118 and 123 Zones. The shaft, currently at a depth of 920 metres, will be extended to approximately 1,080 metres below surface, which will provide access at the 1,010 metre level to develop a drift from the shaft to Zones 118 and 123. The shaft deepening is expected to be completed near the end of 2013 and commissioned by the first quarter of 2014.

Mining equipment replacement and fleet expansion to support the expanded development activities is budgeted at $11.1 million. A further $7.8 million will be invested to complete the construction of a paste backfill plant and $7.0 million for the development of the Principal Zone from the 280 metre level.

Subject to further studies and permitting, $26 million is budgeted in 2013 to begin the excavation of the East Mine open pit with the objective of commencing production from the pit by early 2014. A review and update of the prefeasibility done by BBA on the East Mine Open Pit is underway. The block model is being revised and the mandate to commence additional geotechnical studies has been awarded to Golder Associates. The implication of the presence of underground openings of the East Mine will also be subject to further studies. Permitting for the operation of a rock quarry, road construction and relocation, wood clearing and excavation of the open pit has been initiated with excavation of the surface overburden planned to start during the third quarter of 2013. The mining approach including mining rate and unit costs is also under review.

EXPLORATION

In 2013, it is expected that $5.2 million will be invested on exploration at Casa Berardi which will include approximately 58,000 metres of surface and underground diamond drilling. Up to three surface, and five to seven underground drill rigs will be active during the course of 2013. Aurizon expects to capitalize these costs as the primary objective of the drilling will be to improve the quality of the known reserves and resources as well as exploring for extensions of these structures.

Surface exploration will include testing the South domain of Zone 123 to investigate extensions of known mineralization.

Underground rigs will primarily focus on definition drilling of Zones 113, 118, 123, and the Principal Zone. In addition, exploration drilling from underground will be performed on the Cherty Zone 159.

EXPLORATION FOCUS FOR 2013

ADVANCED STAGE GOLD DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY - HEVA AND HOSCO WEST EXTENSION AREAS

An initial $1.5 million exploration program, consisting of further drilling, metallurgical work and a 10,000 metre of surface drill program is planned for the Heva deposit, to fill the gap inside the resource outline on sections that are supported by historic holes. Additional drilling of the down-dip extensions on Heva and Hosco West will correspond to the conceptual mining and economic studies and metallurgical testworks that are planned. With the 2012 drill program at Heva now completed, it is intended that an in-pit and underground mineral resource estimate will be completed within the first half of 2013. Up to three drill rigs will be active with the majority of the drilling to be performed during the first quarter of 2013.

DUVAY PROPERTY

A total budget of $0.5 million including 4,350 metres of drilling is planned at the Duvay property for 2013.

MARBAN PROPERTY

An updated mineral resource estimate on the Phase II drilling completed in August 2012 is in progress and is expected to be completed by early 2013. Following the updated mineral resource estimate the Company will review and evaluate a Phase III drill program.

Pursuant to an option agreement, Aurizon may earn up to a 65% interest in the Marban property, which comprises 42 mining claims and 3 mining concessions covering 976 hectares in the center of the Malartic gold mining camp in the Abitibi region of Quebec, subject to underlying royalties.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to GAAP measures presented in the Company's financial statements prepared under IFRS, the Company and certain investors utilize non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The following table provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to revenue, cost of sales and net profit as reported in the audited (2011) and unaudited (2012; Q4'12; Q4'11) statements of comprehensive income.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

QUALIFIED PERSON AND QUALITY CONTROL

Information of a scientific or technical nature in this document was prepared under the supervision of Martin Bergeron, P. Eng., Vice-President of Operations of Aurizon and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities regulations in Canada and the United States (collectively, "forward-looking information"). The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expectations and estimates as to future gold production, anticipated rates of recovery, anticipated total cash cost per ounce of gold to be produced at the Casa Berardi Mine, onsite mining, milling and administration costs, anticipated ore throughput and grades, timing and estimated costs for the completion of the shaft deepening project at Casa Berardi, estimated timing for the development and mining of the East Mine open pit and Principal areas at Casa Berardi, timing of updated resource estimates for the Marban project, currency exchange rates, the future price of gold and the effects thereof, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and the economic viability thereof, the anticipated conversion of mineral resources to mineral reserves and the timing thereof, the timing and amount of estimated capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, plans and budgets for and expected timing and results of exploration activities and feasibility and pre-feasibility studies, permitting time-lines, evaluation of opportunities, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation obligations and expenses, title disputes or claims, adequacy of insurance coverage, the availability of qualified labour, acquisition plans and strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects, "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to those set out in this news release, the most recent technical reports for the Company's properties and the Company's annual information form ("AIF") for its most recent year end filed on SEDAR. Such assumptions include those relating to U.S. : Canadian dollar exchange rates, gold price per ounce, anticipated fuel prices, that the mine plan and gold recoveries will be achieved, that pre-production capital costs, operating costs and sustaining and restoration costs will be as estimated, the availability of an experienced workforce and suppliers for projects, that equipment will be available when required and at estimated costs, that the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates are valid and that no unforeseen accident, fire, ground instability, flooding, labour disruption, equipment failure, metallurgical, environmental or other events that could delay or increase the cost of development or production will occur, that the results of exploration activities will be consistent with the Company's expectations, that the current price of and demand for gold will be sustained or will improve, the supply of gold will remain stable, that the general business, political and economic conditions as well as those specific to the Company's operations will not change in a material adverse manner, and that financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms.

Forward-looking information is by its nature uncertain and involves foreseeable and unforeseeable risks and other factors which may cause the actual outcomes, costs, timing and performance to be materially different from those anticipated by such information. Such risks and factors include, among others, the risk that any of the assumptions on which the forward looking information is based prove to be incorrect or invalid, the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, of failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, of accidents, labour disputes, of unanticipated delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risk that estimated costs, including costs of labour, equipment and materials, including power, are not as anticipated, of an undiscovered defect in title or other adverse claim, that results of exploration activities will be different than anticipated, that the future price of gold will decline, that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources and reserves are not as estimated, that actual costs of restoration activities are greater than expected and that changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined result in increased costs There are a number of other risks and uncertainties associated with exploration, development and mining activities that may affect the reliability of the forward looking information herein, including those described in Aurizon's AIF and in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 40-F ("40-F") filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The AIF and 40-F are available respectively on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. There may be factors in addition to those described herein or in the AIF or 40F that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

NOTE TO U.S. READERS

Aurizon is required to describe mineral reserves associated with its properties utilizing Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") definitions of "proven" or "probable", which categories of reserves are recognized by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), but which differ from those definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and contained in Industry Guide 7. In addition, under NI 43-101 the Company is required to describe mineral resources associated with its properties utilizing CIM definitions of "measured", "indicated" or "inferred", which categories of resources are recognized by Canadian regulations but are not defined terms under Industry Guide 7 and are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements of United States companies filed with the SEC.

Accordingly, information contained in this news release regarding our mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. In particular, this presentation uses the terms "measured" and "indicated" resources. U.S. readers are cautioned that while these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured mineral resources or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves.

This news release also uses the term "inferred" resources. U.S readers are cautioned that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. U.S. readers are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

For additional information regarding reserves and resource information set forth in this news release, refer to our public filings, including our NI 43-101 technical reports, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

About Aurizon

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 favourable mining jurisdictions and 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 NYSE MKT under the symbol "AZK". Additional information on Aurizon and its properties is available on Aurizon's website at www.aurizon.com.

U.S. Registration (File 001-31893)