Aurora given green light for Northland gold prospect

Dual listed Australian gold explorer Aurora Minerals Ltd said today it has been given the green light from the Northland Regional Council to begin drilling its Backyard epithermal gold prospect.

The prospect, part of the Hazelbrook Project, is a joint venture between Aurora and New Zealand-owned Emerald Mining Ltd. The pair are spending $10 million prospecting the 1200sq km region in Northland.

The plan is to test of the Backyard epithermal quartz veins, discovered by Aurora in late 2004.

Drilling will begin in the New Year.

Aurora also said it was reviewing the conditions of the drilling consent and finalising a drilling contract with a major New Zealand drilling company.

Shares in Aurora, which listed on the New Zealand exchange in September, last traded on December 14 at 31c.

- NZPA