Aurizon Mines Ltd.: Economic Model Indicates Positive Feasibility at Casa Berardi; High Grade Holes Intersected in Zone 113.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX:ARZ)(AMEX:AZK) is pleased to report that Met-Chem Canada Inc. has delivered a positive economic study for levels above 700 metres at the West Mine of the Casa Berardi Project, located in north-western Quebec. A draft of a positive feasibility report is expected in the first week of January, 2005, which will be reviewed by Aurizon management and be subject to board approval before its expected release at the end of January, 2005. Aurizon continues to work towards a start up production date for late 2006.

In addition to the feasibility study, Aurizon plans to release a scoping study for Zone 113 below 700 metres in the first quarter of 2005. The scoping study will lay out a plan to extend the initial mine life by mining the higher grade mineralization indicated from definition drilling below 700 metres in Zone 113.

"The staff of Casa Berardi is to be congratulated for their efforts in completing the necessary work required to take the Casa Berardi Project to the approval and finance stage. Aurizon has effectively used the equity raised during the past two years to shorten the pre-production period and lower pre-production costs. The work completed during the last two years has significantly reduced the technical and financial risk." said David Hall, President and CEO of Aurizon Mines Ltd.

Casa Berardi Feasibility Study Supported by the Work Completed in the Last Two Years:

An updated progress summary follows:

- Shaft Collar was completed in December 2004, on budget and on schedule.

- Foundations for the headframe and related surface infrastructure will be completed in early January 2005.

- The ramp development for Zone 113 has reached the 570 metre level.

- Shaft pilot raise will be completed in mid January 2005.

- Detailed engineering has been completed for the Zone 113 head frame, related surface infrastructure and shaft.

- Shaft sinking, headframe and steel tenders have been received.

Zone 113 - Highest Grade Hole to Date:

Aurizon has intersected its highest grade hole to date, U378A, at approximately 850 metres below surface in Zone 113. The highly encouraging results indicate significantly increased potential for the Project. However, they will not be included in the current feasibility study, but will be included in the scoping study in the first Quarter of 2005. Results from the deepest holes confirm the continuity and the grade of the Zone to 900 metres below the surface. Zone 113 remains open to depth. Three holes that demonstrate the grades and thicknesses of the Zone between 800 metres and 900 metres are:

U374     21.1g/t Au
          over 11.7 metres  including  45.4g/t Au over 4.5 metres(i)
U378A    73.9g/t Au
          over 8.4 metres   including 112.1g/t Au over 5.1 metres(i)
U258     20.8g/t Au
          over 12.5 metres(i)

(i) true width - grade uncut
    See the attached long section for drill hole locations.

Definition drilling core assays are performed on split or core sawed in half, with standard fire assay procedures and gravimetric finition. However, some of the infill drill core assays are performed on total core. Certified reference material is inserted in the sample sequence for quality control. Assay checking on the pulp and reject samples is carried out systematically. Primary assaying is performed by SGS Geochemical Laboratories of Rouyn-Noranda and check assays are carried out by Chimitec of Val D'Or.

Drill hole planning, implementation and the quality control program is supervised by Jeannot Boutin, P.Eng., Principal Engineer - Mine Geology, who is an appropriately qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Additional Information

A sketch indicating the area covered by the current underground definition drilling program described herein is attached to this news release. If you are unable to view this information, please download this news release from Aurizon's website at www.aurizon.com or contact the Company at the numbers listed below. A complete list of definition drill results can be found on the Company web site. All other information previously released on the Casa Berardi project is also available on the Aurizon website.

Aurizon is a Canadian-based gold mining company with operations and exploration activities in the Abitibi region of north-western Quebec, one of the world's most prolific gold and base metal regions. Aurizon owns fifty percent (50%) of the Sleeping Giant Mine and one hundred percent (100%) of the Casa Berardi property, both of which are located in the Abitibi region. Aurizon shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ARZ" and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "AZK".

This News Release contains "forward-looking statements", including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expectations as to the market price of gold, strategic plans, future commercial production, production targets and timetables, mine operating costs, capital expenditures, work programs, exploration budgets and mineral reserve and resource estimates. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this report, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, factors associated with fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks and hazards, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, requirement of additional financing, risks of delays in construction and other risks more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed as an alternative form of AIF with the Securities Commissions of the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and with the Toronto Stock Exchange.

U.S. Registration: (File #0-22672) Form 20-F

Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX:ARZ) (AMEX:AZK)