Aura Minerals Inc. reported preliminary production results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2012. For the quarter, the company produced 49,472 ounces of gold, representing a 13% increase over 43,863 oz gold produced in fourth quarter of 2011 and a 15% increase over the third quarter of 2012 gold production of 43,059 oz.

For the full year of 2012, the company produced 172,479 oz of gold, representing an 8% increase over 160,159 oz produced in 2011.

For the year 2013, the company expects gold mines production to be between 166,000 - 185,000 oz and $1,050 - $1,200 cash cost per oz. Aranzazu's production for 2013 is expected to be between 13,000,000 and 15,000,000 lb of copper at a range of $3.10 to $3.60 cash cost per payable lb of copper.

For 2013, capital spending is expected to be $101 million. Of this amount, $53 million relates to growth and sustaining capital for existing mines - including $36 million on the Aranzazu expansion and roaster installation and $7 million on Phase V of the heap leach expansion and community expenditures at San Andres. The remaining $48 million relates to the development of the Serrote da Laje Project in Brazil.