Premier strengthens senior management team

Charlie Ronkos joins as Executive Vice-President, Project Development - Americas

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THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Limited (TSX-PG) is pleased to announce that Mr. Charles (Charlie) Ronkos has joined the Company as Executive Vice-President, Project Development - Americas. Charlie brings to the Company a successful track record of exploration, mine development and project acquisitions for other companies including Goldcorp and Glamis that will serve Premier well in a similar role as it now transitions from an explorer/developer into a producer.  As part of his new role, Charlie will lead the integration of the Mercedes Mine into Premier upon the closing of the acquisition expected September 30, 2016.  He will also oversee the ongoing drill program at Mercedes that is focussed on increasing the reserves and mine life.

Charlie has 38 years of exploration-oriented experience in the mining industry, primarily in gold deposits in the United States, Canada and Latin America through all stages of exploration and development.  For more than 25 years, he held various geological and executive positions with Goldcorp Inc. and predecessor companies Rayrock Resources Inc. and Glamis Gold Ltd., most recently as Senior Vice President, Exploration at Goldcorp.  In this role Mr. Ronkos was responsible for global exploration activities, mainly in the western hemisphere, and is associated with the discovery of more than 40 million ounces of gold and 1.2 billion ounces of silver.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Wittenberg University and graduated from the University of Nevada with a Master of Science degree in 1981.  Prior to Goldcorp, Charlie worked on and evaluated projects around the world including assignments with Rio Algom, Battle Mountain Gold, Pegasus, Hecla and Cordex Exploration Co.

"It will be an exciting opportunity to work with a new growth oriented company with a high quality exploration pipeline like Premier," commented Charlie on the Company's C-Suite Blog (http://www.premiergoldmines.com/news/c-suite-blog).  "In particular, my previous experience in project development in Mexico and South America will aid in the smooth transition of the Mercedes Mine and help grow our presence in the area."

Premier Gold Mines Limited is one of North America's leading junior producing companies with a high-quality pipeline of projects focused in proven, safe and accessible mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States that includes world class gold mining districts such as Red Lake and Geraldton in Ontario and the Carlin and Eureka-Battle Mountain Trends in Nevada. 

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 Limited

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