African Aura Mining Inc. - Drilling underway at Nkout iron ore project in
Cameroon

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    TSX-V: AUR
    AIM: AAAM
    

TORONTO, July 27 /CNW/ - African Aura Mining Inc. ("African Aura" or the "Company") the TSX-V (AUR) and AIM (AAAM) listed exploration to production company with divisions focused on iron ore and gold in sub-Saharan Africa announces that a first phase 4,200m initial resource definition drilling programme commenced on 25th July 2010 at the Company's 100% owned Nkout iron ore project in southern Cameroon.

Highlights:

    
    -  Initial 10 hole 4,200m resource drill programme underway at Nkout in
       Cameroon
    -  Nkout is defined by an 8km long geophysical target that is co-incident
       with a range of hills
    -  A further 12km of iron ore targets have been identified around Nkout
       based on the recently completed geophysical survey
    -  Previous grab sampling at Nkout has returned up to 68% Fe and averaged
       55% Fe
    -  Nkout deposit is strategically well located in an emerging iron ore
       province:
       -  2.5 billion tonne Mbalam iron ore deposit (located 150km to the
          south east)
       -  Close to the proposed rail route to a port which will service the
          Mbalam deposit
    

Luis da Silva, President & CEO of African Aura commented:

"Having recently announced the highly encouraging results from the airborne geophysical survey at Nkout in southern Cameroon, it is very pleasing to already be commencing the initial resource definition drill programme. The current 10 hole programme is designed to refine the geological model and to progress the project towards a maiden iron ore resource in 2010. Drilling will then continue within the current approved budget up to a total of 8,000m as part of the phase 2 programme. We look forward to updating shareholders on progress in due course during 4Q 2010."

African Aura's Iron Ore Portfolio in Cameroon:

African Aura has three principal iron ore projects in Cameroon, namely the Nkout, Ngoa and Akom Hills and considers that their combined dimensions represent a potentially significant iron ore asset. The Nkout iron ore project is located on the 489km(2) Djoum licence which is held by the Company's 100% owned subsidiary Caminex SARL.

Nkout is defined by a major geophysical anomaly co-incident with a significant range of hills with at least 8km of strike length. There are a further 12km of targets existing around Nkout which are considered to be moderately magnetic. Previous grab sampling at Nkout returned up to 68% Fe and averaged 55% Fe from 55 samples. A phase one 4,200m 10 hole resource definition drilling programme commenced in July 2010.

The sub-region of southern Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo hosts a number of substantial iron deposits, which are currently under exploration and development including the 2.5 Bt Mbalam deposit, located approximately 150km southeast of Nkout, which is under development by Sundance Resources Limited. The proposed railroad from Mbalam to the proposed Atlantic port of Lolabe in southern Cameroon, passes within 30km of the Company's Nkout project. Further information on African Aura's iron ore projects in Cameroon is available at www.african-aura.com/s/Nkout.asp.

Oversight

The exploration results and further planned work in Cameroon have been reviewed and approved by Mark Biddulph. He holds a BSc Hons in Geology and GIS from Rhodes University, and a GDE in Mining Engineering (Mineral Economics) from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Mark is a Professional Natural Scientist under the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

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). The division also includes a 100%
       interest in the Nkout iron ore project and surrounding iron targets in
       Cameroon.

    -  The gold division includes the multi million ounce potential New
       Liberty greenstone gold deposit, which is being advanced through a
       bankable feasibility study, and the proximal Weaju, Gondoja and Silver
       Hills projects, all in western Liberia.
    

In addition, the Company has a 30% 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.

For further information: 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: African Aura Mining Inc.: Luis da Silva, President & CEO, Tel: [phone]; Evolution Securities Limited: Simon Edwards, Tim Redfern, Neil Elliot, Tel: [phone]; Pelham Bell Pottinger: Charles Vivian, James MacFarlane, Tel: [phone]