Premier Gold confirms Michael Vitton to join Board of Directors

Shares Issued: 151,720,324

THUNDER BAY, ON, Dec. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX:PG) is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Vitton to the Company's Board of Directors, to be effective January 1, 2014. Mike brings to Premier a strong history in corporate development and finance including one of the most decorated resumes in North American mine finance.

Mr. Vitton is former Executive Managing Director, Head, US Equity Sales, Bank of Montreal Capital Markets (BMO Capital Markets). As BMO's Head of US Equity Sales, he originated and placed some US $200 billion through public and secondary offerings and M&A transactions until his departure from BMO in 2009. Prior to BMO, Mike was engaged as Managing Director, Burns Fry Ltd., between June 1984 and June 1994.

Mr. Vitton, through Burns Fry Ltd and BMO Capital Markets, has acted as lead/co-lead underwriter or in a M&A capacity in some of the most important deals in the metal resource sector including: Arequipa Resources, Diamond Fields Resources, Echo Bay Mines, Franco Nevada, Getchell Gold, Hemlo Gold, Meridian Gold, Peru Copper, Wheaton River (Goldcorp), Randgold, Ivanhoe Mines, Osisko Mining and many others.

As the co-founder and director of Manabi Mining SA, an iron ore and logistics company based in Brazil, he participated in raising US $850 million for the company. Mike was also the co-founder and former director of MMX Mineracao e Metalicos SA (Brazil) and LLX Logistica SA (Brazil). MMX sold Minas Rio and Amapa assets to Anglo American Corporation for US $5.5 billion in cash in December 2008, returning US $8.8 billion in cash or stock distributions to MMX IPO shareholders, offering six times return after only two years.

Mr. Vitton is a Graduate (1980) of the University of Michigan Business School; Former Seat Holder, NYSE; and former President, New York Society of Metals Analysts.

Mr. Vitton said, "I look forward to working with management to elevate the Company's profile, participate in potential strategic acquisitions, and assist in future participation in the capital markets. Premier has a robust portfolio of advanced-stage gold projects located in North America's top mining camps".

Ewan Downie, Premier's President and CEO, said, "We are excited by the prospect of working with Mike. His tremendous experience financing some of the mining industry's major companies and brings a strong vision in implementing strategies for growth. This experience will be important as we assess new opportunities and advance Premier's portfolio of projects toward development".

Premier Gold Mines Limited is one of North America's leading exploration and development companies with a high-quality pipeline of gold projects focused in proven, safe and accessible mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States.

The statements made in this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections.

SOURCE Premier Gold Mines Ltd.