Aura Minerals Inc. and Rio Novo Gold Inc. Announce Merger Transaction

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 18, 2017) - Aura Minerals Inc. (TSX:ORA) ("Aura") and Rio Novo Gold Inc. (TSX:RN) ("Rio Novo") announced today that they have entered into an agreement (the "Merger Agreement") to combine and create strong portfolio of mining properties with a long term production life. The combination will be effected by a plan of merger under section 170 of the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act, 2004 pursuant to which Aura will, among other things, acquire all of the shares of Rio Novo and Rio Novo shareholders will receive 0.053 of an Aura common share for each Rio Novo share held. The combined entity will operate under the Aura name and will remain listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.