AuRico Metals Significantly Expands High Grade Core of Kemess East Deposit

TORONTO, January 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Total Indicated Resources at Kemess East of 1.7M oz Gold and 1B lbs Copper 

AuRico Metals Inc. (TSX: AMI) ("AuRico" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated National Instrument (NI) 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Company's 100%-owned Kemess East deposit. The overall Kemess East deposit is estimated to contain Indicated Resources of 113.1 million tonnes grading 0.38% Cu and 0.46 g/t Au and Inferred Resources of 63.8 million tonnes grading 0.34% Cu and 0.31 g/t Au. The updated resource includes a high grade core estimated to contain Indicated Resources of 67.2 million tonnes grading 0.43% Cu and 0.60 g/t Au as well as Inferred Resources of 15.2 million tonnes grading 0.41% Cu and 0.51 g/t Au; as shown in Table 1.

When compared with the previous Kemess East resource (March 23, 2016 press release) Indicated tonnes in the high grade core have increased by 250% reflecting success both in expanding and upgrading the resource. The high grade core at Kemess East is associated with a strong potassic alteration zone which remains open to the north and to the south as does the overall deposit.

Commenting on today's announcement, Chris Richter, President and CEO of AuRico Metals stated, "This is a very exciting outcome to the 2016 exploration program. The updated resource is a substantial improvement compared to the 2016 resource in terms of overall tonnes, the ratio of Indicated to Inferred Resources and the number of contained ounces of gold and pounds of copper."

Table 1: Kemess East Mineral Resource Estimate Summary (SRK, 2017)

   
    Category                          Mt   Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
    Indicated - potassic strong      67.2   0.43    0.60     2.06    640   1,292  4,457
    Indicated - potassic moderate    40.0   0.32    0.27     1.81    286    352   2,336
    Indicated - potassic weak         5.1   0.22    0.19     1.45     24     31    238
    Indicated - phyllic + propylitic  0.8   0.21    0.20     1.40     4      5      36
    Indicated - total                113.1  0.38    0.46     1.94    954   1,680  7,066
    Category                          Mt   Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
    Inferred - potassic strong       15.2   0.41    0.51     2.05    137    249   1,003
    Inferred - potassic moderate     41.9   0.34    0.26     1.91    311    353   2,579
    Inferred - potassic weak          6.0   0.20    0.17     1.42     27     32    274
    Inferred - phyllic + propylitic   0.7   0.21    0.24     1.42     3      6      33
    Inferred - total                 63.8   0.34    0.31     1.90    478    640   3,889

Notes 

• NSR cut-off value of C$17.3/t was used to define indicated and inferred resources within a reasonable prospects for economic extraction solid; see Figure 1.
• NSR calculation assumed US$3.20/lb copper, US$1,275/oz gold and US$21.0/oz silver prices; and C$/US$ exchange rate of 0.76.
• NSR calculation assumed metallurgical recoveries of 91% copper, 72% gold and 65% silver; as well as a 22% copper grade for concentrate. Molybdenum was excluded from the NSR calculation.
• Details of the Sample Preparation and Quality Assurance and Quality Control are presented in AuRico Metals' November 8, 2016 press release reporting on the results of the Company's 2016 drill program.
• Resources were generated from 81 holes drilled at Kemess East in 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
• Exploration activities at the Kemess East deposit have been conducted under the supervision of Wade Barnes, PGeo, Kemess Project Geologist, for AuRico Metals. Mr. Barnes is a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.
• Mineral Resources were prepared under the supervision of Marek Nowak, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. Mr. Nowak is a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.

The Kemess East deposit is located approximately one kilometre east of the Kemess Underground deposit and 6.5 kilometres north of the Kemess South facilities (see Figure 2). The Kemess Property is located in north-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 430 kilometres northwest of Prince George.

Figure 1, below, provides plan and section views of the Kemess East deposit, with resource model blocks colour-coded by Net Smelter Return (NSR) value (the notes to Table 1 include an explanation of NSR calculation parameters).

Comparison to 2016 Resource Estimate 

This resource estimate is an increase in the Indicated category of 73.9 million tonnes (or 188%) and a decrease in the Inferred category of 45.8 million tonnes (or -42%) compared to the March 23, 2016 resource estimate. The 2016 geological model that was the basis for the 2016 resource estimate proved to be robust with respect to the major controlling geological faults, alteration types and intensities. As with the 2016 resource estimate statistical analysis of the gold and copper grades associated with each alteration type indicated a distinct grade change between each alteration type thus constraining grade estimation boundaries. The Estimation Methodology was similar for both the 2016 and 2017 resource estimates.

Table 2: Kemess East Mineral Resource Comparison

   
    January 13, 2017 Resource  Mt   Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
    Indicated - total         113.1  0.38    0.46     1.94    954   1,680  7,066
    Inferred - total          63.8   0.34    0.31     1.90    478    640   3,889
    March 23, 2016 Resource    Mt   Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
    Indicated - total         39.3   0.40    0.50     1.99    348    630   2,510
    Inferred - total          109.7  0.37    0.38     1.99    891   1,340  7,010
    Percentage Change          Mt   Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
    Indicated - total         188%   -5%     -8%      -3%     174%   167%   182%
    Inferred - total          -42%   -8%     -18%     -5%     -46%   -52%   -45%

Marek Nowak of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained within this press release. Marek Nowak is a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.

About AuRico Metals 

AuRico Metals is a mining royalty and development company whose producing gold royalty assets include a 1.5% NSR royalty on the Young-Davidson Gold Mine, a 0.25% NSR royalty on the Williams Mine at Hemlo, and a 0.5% NSR royalty on the Eagle River Mine - all located in Ontario, Canada. AuRico Metals also has a 2% NSR royalty on the Fosterville Mine and a 1% NSR royalty on the Stawell Mine, located in Victoria, Australia. Aside from its diversified royalty portfolio, AuRico owns (100%) the advanced Kemess Gold-Copper Project in British Columbia, Canada. AuRico Metals' head office is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information 

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release including, but not limited to, any information as to the future financial or operating performance of AuRico, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the future price of gold, copper and silver, the estimation of mineral resources, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, and environmental risks. The words "anticipates", "estimates", "expects", "focus", "forecast", "indicate", "initiative", "intend", "model", "opportunity", "option", "plans", "potential", "projected", "prospective", "pursue", "strategy", "study" (including, without limitation, as may be qualified by "feasibility" and the results thereof), "target", "timeline" or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could" or "would", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by AuRico as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates, models and assumptions of AuRico referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our most recently filed Annual Information Form and our 2015 Management's Discussion and Analysis as well as: (1) the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar being approximately consistent with assumed levels; (2) certain price assumptions for gold, copper and silver; (3) the results of the Kemess Underground Feasibility Study will be realized within a margin of error consistent with the Company's expectations;(4) the accuracy of the current mineral resource estimates of the Kemess East project; and (5) access to capital markets, including but not limited to identifying financing options and securing partial project financing for the Kemess project, being consistent with the Company's current expectations.

Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the results of exploration at Kemess East and the accuracy of the mineral resource estimates at Kemess East; relations with First Nations partners and the Province of British Columbia; exploration for additional mineral resource potential; fluctuations in the currency markets; changes in various market variables, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, gold, copper or silver prices; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, policies and regulations; political or economic developments in Canada, the United States or elsewhere; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; employee relations; litigation against the Company; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development including, but not limited to, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of resources; and contests over title to properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining.  Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, AuRico' actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, AuRico.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the ''Risk Factors'' section of our most recently filed Annual Information Form and 2015 Management Discussion and Analysis. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect AuRico. AuRico disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Chris Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer, AuRico Metals Inc., 416-216-2780, chris.richter@auricometals.ca; John Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer, AuRico Metals Inc., 416-216-2780, john.fitzgerald@auricometals.ca