AuRico Metals Significantly Expands High Grade Core of Kemess East Deposit

Toronto (ots/PRNewswire) -

Total Indicated Resources at Kemess East of 1.7M oz Gold and 1B
lbs Copper

AuRico Metals Inc. (TSX: AMI) ("AuRico" or the "Company") is
pleased to announce an updated National Instrument (NI) 43-101
compliant resource estimate for the Company's 100%-owned Kemess East
deposit. The overall Kemess East deposit is estimated to contain
Indicated Resources of 113.1 million tonnes grading 0.38% Cu and 0.46
g/t Au and Inferred Resources of 63.8 million tonnes grading 0.34% Cu
and 0.31 g/t Au. The updated resource includes a high grade core
estimated to contain Indicated Resources of 67.2 million tonnes
grading 0.43% Cu and 0.60 g/t Au as well as Inferred Resources of
15.2 million tonnes grading 0.41% Cu and 0.51 g/t Au; as shown in
Table 1.

When compared with the previous Kemess East resource (March 23,
2016 press release) Indicated tonnes in the high grade core have
increased by 250% reflecting success both in expanding and upgrading
the resource. The high grade core at Kemess East is associated with a
strong potassic alteration zone which remains open to the north and
to the south as does the overall deposit.

Commenting on today's announcement, Chris Richter, President and
CEO of AuRico Metals stated, "This is a very exciting outcome to the
2016 exploration program. The updated resource is a substantial
improvement compared to the 2016 resource in terms of overall tonnes,
the ratio of Indicated to Inferred Resources and the number of
contained ounces of gold and pounds of copper."

Table 1: Kemess East Mineral Resource Estimate Summary (SRK, 2017)

Category Mt Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
Indicated - potassic strong 67.2 0.43 0.60 2.06
640 1,292 4,457
Indicated - potassic moderate 40.0 0.32 0.27 1.81
286 352 2,336
Indicated - potassic weak 5.1 0.22 0.19 1.45
24 31 238
Indicated - phyllic + propylitic 0.8 0.21 0.20 1.40
4 5 36
Indicated - total 113.1 0.38 0.46 1.94
954 1,680 7,066
Category Mt Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
Cu Mlb Au Koz Ag Koz
Inferred - potassic strong 15.2 0.41 0.51 2.05
137 249 1,003
Inferred - potassic moderate 41.9 0.34 0.26 1.91
311 353 2,579
Inferred - potassic weak 6.0 0.20 0.17 1.42
27 32 274
Inferred - phyllic + propylitic 0.7 0.21 0.24 1.42
3 6 33
Inferred - total 63.8 0.34 0.31 1.90
478 640 3,889

Notes

- NSR cut-off value of C$17.3/t was used to define indicated and
inferred resources within a reasonable prospects for economic
extraction solid; see Figure 1.
- NSR calculation assumed US$3.20/lb copper, US$1,275/oz gold and
US$21.0/oz silver prices; and C$/US$ exchange rate of 0.76.
- NSR calculation assumed metallurgical recoveries of 91% copper, 72%
gold and 65% silver; as well as a 22% copper grade for concentrate.
Molybdenum was excluded from the NSR calculation.
- Details of the Sample Preparation and Quality Assurance and Quality
Control are presented in AuRico Metals' November 8, 2016 press
release reporting on the results of the Company's 2016 drill
program.
- Resources were generated from 81 holes drilled at Kemess East in
2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
- Exploration activities at the Kemess East deposit have been
conducted under the supervision of Wade Barnes, PGeo, Kemess
Project Geologist, for AuRico Metals. Mr. Barnes is a "Qualified
Person" as defined by NI 43-101.
- Mineral Resources were prepared under the supervision of Marek
Nowak, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. Mr. Nowak is a "Qualified
Person" as defined by NI 43-101.

The Kemess East deposit is located approximately one kilometre
east of the Kemess Underground deposit and 6.5 kilometres north of
the Kemess South facilities (see Figure 2). The Kemess Property is
located in north-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 430
kilometres northwest of Prince George.

Figure 1, below, provides plan and section views of the Kemess
East deposit, with resource model blocks colour-coded by Net Smelter
Return (NSR) value (the notes to Table 1 include an explanation of
NSR calculation parameters).

Comparison to 2016 Resource Estimate

This resource estimate is an increase in the Indicated category of
73.9 million tonnes (or 188%) and a decrease in the Inferred category
of 45.8 million tonnes (or -42%) compared to the March 23, 2016
resource estimate. The 2016 geological model that was the basis for
the 2016 resource estimate proved to be robust with respect to the
major controlling geological faults, alteration types and
intensities. As with the 2016 resource estimate statistical analysis
of the gold and copper grades associated with each alteration type
indicated a distinct grade change between each alteration type thus
constraining grade estimation boundaries. The Estimation Methodology
was similar for both the 2016 and 2017 resource estimates.

Table 2: Kemess East Mineral Resource Comparison

January 13, 2017 Resource Mt Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb
Au Koz Ag Koz
Indicated - total 113.1 0.38 0.46 1.94 954
1,680 7,066
Inferred - total 63.8 0.34 0.31 1.90 478
640 3,889
March 23, 2016 Resource Mt Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb
Au Koz Ag Koz
Indicated - total 39.3 0.40 0.50 1.99 348
630 2,510
Inferred - total 109.7 0.37 0.38 1.99 891
1,340 7,010
Percentage Change Mt Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu Mlb
Au Koz Ag Koz
Indicated - total 188% -5% -8% -3% 174%
167% 182%
Inferred - total -42% -8% -18% -5% -46%
-52% -45%

Marek Nowak of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. has reviewed and
approved the scientific and technical information contained within
this press release. Marek Nowak is a "Qualified Person" as defined by
NI 43-101.

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 on Forward-Looking Information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact,
contained or incorporated by reference in this news release
including, but not limited to, any information as to the future
financial or operating performance of AuRico, constitute
"forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of certain securities laws, including the provisions of
the Securities Act (Ontario) and are based on expectations, estimates
and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking
statements contained in this news release include, without
limitation, statements with respect to: the future price of gold,
copper and silver, the estimation of mineral resources, costs and
timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of
exploration, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional
capital, government regulation of mining operations, and
environmental risks. The words "anticipates", "estimates", "expects",
"focus", "forecast", "indicate", "initiative", "intend", "model",
"opportunity", "option", "plans", "potential", "projected",
"prospective", "pursue", "strategy", "study" (including, without
limitation, as may be qualified by "feasibility" and the results
thereof), "target", "timeline" or variations of or similar such words
and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could" or "would", and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of
estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by AuRico
as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to
significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies. The estimates, models and assumptions of AuRico
referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this news
release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not
limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our most
recently filed Annual Information Form and our 2015 Management's
Discussion and Analysis as well as: (1) the exchange rate between the
Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar being approximately consistent
with assumed levels; (2) certain price assumptions for gold, copper
and silver; (3) the results of the Kemess Underground Feasibility
Study will be realized within a margin of error consistent with the
Company's expectations;(4) the accuracy of the current mineral
resource estimates of the Kemess East project; and (5) access to
capital markets, including but not limited to identifying financing
options and securing partial project financing for the Kemess
project, being consistent with the Company's current expectations.

Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Such factors include, but are not limited to: the results of
exploration at Kemess East and the accuracy of the mineral resource
estimates at Kemess East; relations with First Nations partners and
the Province of British Columbia; exploration for additional mineral
resource potential; fluctuations in the currency markets; changes in
various market variables, such as interest rates, foreign exchange
rates, gold, copper or silver prices; changes in national and local
government legislation, taxation, controls, policies and regulations;
political or economic developments in Canada, the United States or
elsewhere; business opportunities that may be presented to, or
pursued by, us; employee relations; litigation against the Company;
the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development
including, but not limited to, the risks of obtaining necessary
licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of resources;
and contests over title to properties. In addition, there are risks
and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration,
development and mining. Many of these uncertainties and
contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause,
AuRico' actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of,
AuRico.

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.
Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing
information about management's expectations and plans relating to the
future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news
release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made
in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada
including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the
''Risk Factors'' section of our most recently filed Annual
Information Form and 2015 Management Discussion and Analysis. These
factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors
that could affect AuRico. AuRico disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to
explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and
such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by
applicable law.

Chris Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer, AuRico
Metals Inc., 416-216-2780, chris.richter@auricometals.ca; John
Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer, AuRico Metals Inc.,
416-216-2780, john.fitzgerald@auricometals.ca

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