Auriga Gold Corp. said Thursday it will become the sole owner of a gold prospect in central Manitoba by acquiring the 46 percent stake it does not own from Claude Resources Inc.

The all-stock deal gives Toronto-based Auriga 100 percent control of the Nokomis Property, which includes 39 staked claims northeast of the Puffy Lake Mill.

Auriga expects to begin exploratory drilling on the property, believed to hold some 70,000 ounces of gold, this winter.

The deal is set to close in mid-November and will give Claude Resources a 7.8 percent stake in Auriga.