Premier Gold - Hardrock Project recipent of Northwest Ontario Discovery of
the Year Award

Shares Issued: 92,527,679

THUNDER BAY, ON, April 9 /CNW/ - PREMIER GOLD MINES LIMITED (TSX:PG) is pleased to announce that Company has been awarded Northwest Ontario "Bernie Schnieders, Discovery of the Year" for the Hardrock Project. The award is presented by the Northwest Ontario prospectors Association (NWOPA) to recognize an exceptional discovery in northwestern Ontario during the previous calendar year.

From the beginning of our drill program, the Hardrock Property has exceeded our expectations. Combined with a competent and enthusiastic team, we have been able to demonstrate the potential of this project," stated Ewan Downie, President and CEO. "This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication from the entire team at Premier Gold Mines as we continue to grow and create value for the Company."

The Hardrock Project is operated under a joint venture with Goldstone Resources Inc. (TSX:GRC) (Premier owns a 70% interest as operator). The Hardrock Project is host to several past-producing mines, which collectively produced nearly 3 Million ounces of gold from depths within 600 metres of surface between 1938 and 1968. The Hardrock Project benefits from development advantages with the Trans-Canada Highway, Trans-Canada Pipeline, and major power lines running through, or proximal to, the centre of the property.

On March 4, 2010 Premier announced an initial resource, containing significant indicated and inferred resources for the near-surface (open pit style) zones at Hardrock based on drilling completed as of the end of 2009. The joint-venture expects to complete more that 70,000 metres of drilling in 2010 following which a revised resource will be completed for both the open pit and underground zones.

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. Assay results are from core samples sent to Activation Laboratories, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory in Ancaster, Ontario, for preparation and analysis utilizing both fire assay and screen metallic methods.

Premier Gold Mines Limited is a well financed Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with several projects and deposits in Northwestern Ontario and a joint venture in Mexico. In addition to Hardrock, Premier has two joint ventures in the Red Lake camp with Red Lake Gold Mines, an affiliate of Goldcorp Inc. and a 100% interest in PQ North, a property located immediately north of Goldcorp's Musselwhite Gold Mine.

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.

%SEDAR: 00024152E

For further information: Ewan Downie, President & CEO, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], e-mail: [email protected], Web Site: www.premiergoldmines.com