AXU Alexco Resource Corp

Aurora Energy Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (TSX:AXU) is pleased to
announce that its work program for the remainder of 2008 will focus on building
both community support and resource value for the Michelin Project.


The work program will be comprised of a tailings management options study, an
environmental baseline program, a community outreach program, a training plan,
engineering studies, and ongoing infill drilling.


The work program is focused on demonstrating to the Nunatsiavut Government and
community members that the Michelin Project can be developed in a safe manner
with minimal impact on the land, wildlife, and nearby communities. As well, the
planned work program will move the project towards development through infill,
metallurgical, and related drilling.


TAILINGS MANAGEMENT STUDY

In 2008, Aurora plans to conduct engineering and environmental studies on a
variety of tailings management technology options and sites. This process is
expected to lead to a short list of candidate sites for further detailed
consideration. These studies will focus on:


- Engineering design studies

- Soil and water chemistry

- Environmental site assessment

- Surface and ground water studies

- Bio-physical studies

- Geochemical baseline studies

- Tailings modeling

- Safe closure design

- Radiological studies

Aurora also plans to conduct condemnation drilling (drilling to demonstrate the
absence of mineralization beneath project facilities) to support the tailings
management options selected for detailed study.


Nunatsiavut representatives will be invited to play a direct role in the study.
The process will include a public consultation component as well which is
expected to provide Aurora with the community's perspective. In addition, this
consultation component should provide information on the design process to
community members.


ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Aurora is committed to the best environmental, health and safety, and social
practices. "We support resource development only if the health and safety of our
workers and the environment can be protected," said Dr. O'Dea. "Our safety
record is excellent, with 100% of the site workforce meeting the safety
standards prescribed and monitored by Health Canada."


In support of its commitment to environmental protection, Aurora plans to carry
out another large environmental data gathering program in 2008. The program will
see Aurora continue with seasonal work designed to develop baseline information
for future environmental reviews, including:


- Wildlife surveys

- Air quality data

- Weather and climate data

- Water quality and quantity data

- Fish and bird surveys

CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Since Aurora began conducting exploration in Labrador's Central Mineral Belt in
2004, the Company has made a positive impact through employment, contracting,
training, and community investment, especially in its host community of
Postville.


Some key achievements to date include:

- More than $50 million spent on exploration programs and environmental baseline
studies, with more than $25 million staying in the Labrador economy.


- In 2007, Aurora employed 275 people, of which 112 people were from North Coast
communities and the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.


- Training of more than 60 employees from local communities as drill helpers,
geo-technicians, environmental monitors, and catering staff.


- Opening of community outreach offices in Postville, Makkovik and Happy
Valley-Goose Bay.


- Procuring most goods and services from local companies to support the
exploration programs.


For more detail on Aurora's 2007 Community Investment program, please visit:
http://www.aurora-energy.ca/pdf/AXU_Community_Newsletter_V3_April_2008.pdf.


Aurora recognizes the importance of enhancing its community relations activities
going forward. "Resource development is a cooperative activity," said Dr. O'Dea.
"Working from the support base we have established with our neighbours in the
communities and the Nunatsiavut Government, we plan to demonstrate the
wide-ranging benefits for all project participants," added Dr. O'Dea.


Community outreach initiatives to be undertaken in 2008 include the expansion of
local recruitment efforts as Aurora develops its Labrador-based human resource
capacity, working closely with the Nunatsiavut Government to build on its
support for resource development, and providing meaningful financial
contributions to worthwhile community programs in Coastal Labrador.


Aurora is also investigating the establishment of an environment liaison
committee comprised of outside independent experts and community
representatives. The committee will be specifically designed to take into
account the environmental, economic and social considerations of the Michelin
Project, and to facilitate the involvement of community stakeholders, Aurora and
local governments.


TRAINING PLAN

As a complement to the Company's existing training program, Aurora plans to
develop a Michelin Project Training Plan to prepare community members for
employment in ongoing exploration and development activities and, subject to
regulatory approval, the longer term construction and operations phases. The
Nunatsiavut Government, as well as Innu Nation, will be invited to play an
active role in developing this plan.


"We have clearly heard from government and community members that training is an
important component of resource development. This plan will be designed to
provide guidance and support in identifying training and employment
opportunities for local stakeholders for all phases of the Michelin Project,"
explained Dr. O'Dea.


INFILL DRILLING

Aurora has revised its summer drill program to an 11,250 metre infill campaign
at the Jacques Lake and Michelin deposits and expects to fulfill all of its
contractual obligations in connection with this drilling program. This revised
program is a reduction of 38,750 metres or 77% from the original budget of
50,000 metres. The program, which is expected to run from May until July, aims
to enhance the value of the Michelin and Jacques Lake deposits by converting
pounds from the inferred to indicated mineral resource category.


ENGINEERING STUDIES

Aurora also plans to continue with engineering studies and will conduct a 3,750
metre geotechnical, environmental and metallurgical drill program from May until
August which is expected to provide Aurora with valuable data for tailings
studies and in moving the Michelin Project towards development.


BUDGET FOR BALANCE OF 2008

The revised budget for the remainder of 2008 is estimated at $20.1 million. This
represents a reduction of 47% from the original planned spend of $38 million for
the same period. The revised budget includes: $4.0 million for infill drilling;
$2.0 million for surveying, site reclamation and camp demobilization; $4.9
million for geotechnical and development drilling and engineering studies; $1.9
million for tailings management study; $2.4 million for health, safety and
environment; $0.8 million for community relations; and $4.1 million for general
and administrative costs.


LIQUIDITY

Aurora has no debt and approximately $117 million in cash that is fully liquid
and held with a large commercial bank.


ABOUT AURORA

Aurora is a uranium development company focused on the Central Mineral Belt in
Coastal Labrador - one of the world's most promising uranium districts. Aurora
recently completed a 12,132 metre winter infill drilling program at the Michelin
and Jacques Lake deposits - see April 22, 2008 News Release, "Aurora's Winter
Drill Program Enhances Continuity of Michelin Deposit" and May 5, 2008 News
Release, "Infill Drill Results Strengthen Jacques Lake Resource, Uranium
Pipeline".


Aurora is committed to responsible development with lasting local benefits and
the highest standards of safety, health, and environmental protection.


Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain
information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements". Such
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to
the timing and amount of estimated future resources and resource conversion
rates, future operations, project costs and production, potential for expansion
of resources and potential size of future exploration programs and potential
timing of receipt of permits and classification of future mineral resources, and
potential for future benefits, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement
of Aurora to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among others, risks related to the actual results of current
exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, uncertainty in the
estimation of mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue
to be refined, future prices of uranium, environmental risks and hazards,
increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labor and employment matters,
and government regulation as well as those factors discussed in the section
entitled "Risk Factors" in Aurora's most recent Annual Information Form
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Aurora has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there
may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Aurora disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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