PREMIER ANNOUNCES ADDITION TO CORPORATE GROUP - ERIC LAMONTAGNE HIRED AS MANAGER, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
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. |