AuRico Metals Provides Update on Kemess Underground Environmental Assessment

Toronto (ots/PRNewswire) -

AuRico Metals Inc. (TSX: AMI), ("AuRico" or the "Company") is
pleased to announce that as of January 11 the British Columbia
Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") approved the Application
Information Requirements ("AIR") for the Kemess Underground Project.
The AIR specifies the information that must be contained in the
Environmental Assessment ("EA") application for an EA Certificate.
The BC EAO is managing the environmental assessment in a Substituted
Process on behalf of British Columbia and the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency.

Having finalized the AIR with the EAO, AuRico Metals has completed
its Environmental Assessment ("EA") application and has submitted
copies of the EA application to the three First Nations who are
collectively the Tse Keh Nay. AuRico Metals expects to submit the EA
application to the BC EAO within the next six weeks. At that point
the application will be subject to a 30 day EAO screening process
before entering into the 180 day review period.

Commenting on today's announcement, Chris Richter, President and
CEO of AuRico Metals stated, "The receipt of the AIR and completion
of the EA application is the culmination of a tremendous effort by
the AuRico Metals team and our consultants and I would like to take
this opportunity to commend them for their efforts. We view the EA as
a significant de-risking catalyst for the Kemess Underground project
and we continue to target the fourth quarter of 2016 for the receipt
of governmental decisions on the project. Separately, we remain on
track to release an updated Kemess Underground feasibility study and
Kemess East resource estimate by the end of this quarter."

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

This press release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information as defined under Canadian and U.S.
securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "believe",
"anticipate", "will", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "budget" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include those relating to expectations for
a potential increase in resources, estimates of grade core
mineralization, timing and content of any updated Kemess East
resource, timing and extent of any proposed operations, timing of any
environmental assessment, as well as other information as to
strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as
the Company's expansion plans, project timelines, production plans,
projected cash flows or capital expenditures, cost estimates,
projected exploration results, reserve and resource estimates and
other statements that express management's expectations or estimates
of future performance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily
based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements, including: uncertainty of production and
cost estimates; fluctuations in the price of gold and foreign
exchange rates; the uncertainty of replacing depleted reserves and
the possible recalculation or reduction of reserves and resources;
the risk that the Young-Davidson shaft will not perform as planned;
the risk that mining operations do not meet expectations; the risk
that projects will not be developed according to budgets or
timelines, changes in laws in Canada, Australia and other
jurisdictions in which the Company may carry on business; risks of
obtaining necessary licenses, permits or approvals for operations or
projects such as Kemess; disputes over title to properties; the
speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; compliance
risks with respect to current and future environmental regulations;
disruptions affecting operations; opportunities that may be pursued
by the Company; employee relations; availability and costs of mining
inputs and labor; the ability to secure capital to execute business
plans; volatility of the Company's share price; the effect of future
financings; litigation; risk of loss due to sabotage and civil
disturbances; the values of assets and liabilities based on projected
future cash flows; risks arising from derivative instruments or the
absence of hedging; adequacy of internal control over financial
reporting; changes in credit rating; risks related to the operation
of the properties in which AuRico Metals holds a royalty; and the
impact of inflation. Actual results and developments are likely to
differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such statements are
based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect,
including assumptions about: business and economic conditions;
commodity prices and the price of key inputs such as labour, fuel and
electricity; credit market conditions and conditions in financial
markets generally; the ongoing operation of the properties in which
AuRico Metals holds a royalty by the operators of such underlying
properties; revenue and cash flow estimates, production levels,
development schedules and the associated costs; ability to procure
equipment and supplies and ability to do so on a timely basis; the
timing of the receipt of permits and other approvals for projects and
operations; the ability to attract and retain skilled employees and
contractors for the operations; the accuracy of reserve and resource
estimates; the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on costs
and results; interest rates; taxation; and ongoing relations with
employees and business partners. However, 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 and investors are cautioned that
forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
AuRico Metals cannot assure investors that actual results will be
consistent with these forward looking statements. Accordingly,
investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking
statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Chris Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer, AuRico
Metals Inc., +1-416-216-2780, chris.richter@auricometals.ca; Robert
Chausse, Chief Financial Officer, AuRico Metals Inc.,
+1-416-216-2780, robert.chausse@auricometals.ca

ots Originaltext: AuRico Metals Inc.
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