VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - March 23, 2007) - Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX:ARZ)(AMEX:AZK) is pleased to announce first drilling results at its Joanna gold property, located 20 kilometres east of Rouyn-Noranda, in north-western Quebec.

At Joanna, surface and underground exploration by previous operators focused mainly on a stacking of high grade veins close to a brittle fault. The veins are, in fact, included within a 100 to 190 metre wide lower grade halo of 0.5 to 2.0 grams of gold per tonne. Compilation of existing data indicates that the corridor extends along an 1,800 metre east-west trend and can be followed down to a depth of 400 metres. Mineralization follows multiple distinct zones, along a dip of 50 degrees to the north with a western plunge.

As a result of compilation of existing data, potential for a low grade, high tonnage deposit has been identified within the limit of the property, between the surface and 400 metres.

In addition to the previously announced 8,000 metre drill program, which will test the dip extension of the gold corridor to a depth of at least 500 metres, Aurizon is performing the following work at Joanna:

- Investigating the extension of the wide mineralized corridor along the dip and lateral extension. Two surface drill rigs are currently active in this area. The best results from the current drilling returned 2.2 grams of gold per tonne over 32 metres and 1.5 grams of gold per tonne over 34 metres.

- All existing core from ninety previously drilled holes has been recovered and is currently being re-assayed including sections never previously analysed. Re-assay results have been received from twenty-two of the holes. Best results returned 2.2 grams of gold per tonne over 43 metres and 1.8 grams of gold per tonne over 43 metres.

- Commissioned preparation of an independent mineral resources estimate, based on historical holes, in accordance with the standards defined by National Instrument 43-101.

- Increasing its land position by acquiring interests in two additional properties along the gold bearing Cadillac fault and adjacent to Joanna.

"Exploration results continue to be exciting for Aurizon this year. After the newly discovered zone 123-S at Casa Berardi and the impressive results from Kipawa, we are pleased with the first drill results at Joanna where we are close to completing a mineral resources estimate, only a few months after optioning the property," said Michel Gilbert, Vice President.

Current drilling program

Eighteen (18) holes totalling 6,200 metres have been completed to date. Results from the first thirteen (13) holes are available and reported in the attached table and sketch. Best results are as follows:

             Gold Grade       True Width
Hole        Grams/Tonne          (Metres)
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JA-01               2.2               32
                    1.4               28
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JA-02               1.5               19
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JA-08               1.7               22
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JA-09               1.9               18
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JA-10               1.5               18
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JA-13               1.5               34
                    1.1               50
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From the results of the current drilling, it appears that mineralization resembles metamorphosed, sediment hosted, disseminated sulphide rather than the expected quartz vein association.

Deformation within the sediments is weak to moderate as a result of the high grade metamorphism. Interlayered mafic units are strongly deformed with tectonic breccias and gauge associated with the Cadillac fault system.

Gold enrichment is adjacent to the mafic unit, related to fine grain arsenopyrite in a biotite rich matrix. Narrow, widely spaced, quartz veins, which return higher grades, have been intersected.

Re-assaying of existing core

Ninety (90) historical holes have been recovered. Core has been systematically re-assayed. Results from the first twenty two (22) holes have been received to date.

- Re-assaying of core from previous drill holes confirmed the grades and widths of the historic intersections.

- In addition, sampling of core sections, which had not previously been assayed, returned similar grades. As a result the average width of the zone could be extended to 23 metres which is 24% wider than previously estimated.