Premier announces addition to corporate group - Eric Lamontagne hired as Manager, Project Development

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THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - PREMIER GOLD MINES LIMITED (TSX:PG) is pleased to announce that Eric Lamontagne has been retained as Manager, Development Projects and will lead the advancement of the Company's portfolio of projects.   Eric brings to Premier over 14 years of experience in mine development and production.

Mr. Lamontagne was most recently Project Manager for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and obtained his PhD in Mine Engineering from University of Quebec and B.R.G.M in France.  While at Agnico, Eric was Operations Manager in developing the Meadowbank Mine and most recently, Project Manager for the Méliadine Project. Prior to Agnico, Eric worked with Inmet Mining where he occupied various positions rising to the role of Engineering, Geology and Mining Superintendent. In his new position, Eric will coordinate, evaluate and advance Premier Gold's projects with the initial focus being the economic evaluation of the Trans-Canada Project, culminating in a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

Premier continues to strengthen its operating team as it implements the Company's strategy of becoming a gold producer.  In the past 12 months, Premier has made several key management additions including Mr. Ebe Scherkus as Director and Chairman, Paul-Henri Girard as Senior Mining Advisor, and Claude Lemasson as Director.

"Premier remains committed to building an industry-best team with substantial mineral exploration and mine development experience as we implement our strategy to convert from explorer to developer" stated Ewan Downie, President and CEO of Premier.  "Eric has a proven ability to provide early development concepts for deposits, advance projects to production, and manage mine operations.  This experience will enhance the Corporation's ability to transition its portfolio of advanced-stage projects."

2013 will see more than $30 million spent on exploration and development on three projects, the most aggressive budget in corporate history. Continued drilling and preliminary mine modeling concepts for the Brookbank and Hardrock deposits are being worked in advance of a planned PEA.  An aggressive expansion and delineation drill program is planned to be completed at the Cove Gold Project in Nevada with an initial mineral resource estimate expected in late 2013. In Red Lake an accelerated underground drill program will be carried out from the tram development that is currently being excavated through the Rahill-Bonanza joint venture project.

Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

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 Company is fully financed with approximately $150 million in cash and investments, no debt and a portfolio of advanced-stage assets in world class gold mining districts including Red Lake, Musselwhite and Geraldton in Ontario and the most prolific gold trends in Nevada.

This Press Release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier Gold's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier Gold disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Premier Gold Mines Limited