Primero Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Results

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Primero Mining Corp. ("Primero" or the "Company") (TSX: P) (NYSE: PPP) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2016. The Company previously reported operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2016 on January 18, 2017.

Highlights:

• Revised Production Guidance Achieved: Fourth quarter production of 45,794 gold equivalent ounces² resulted in annual 2016 production of 176,139 gold equivalent ounces within the Company's 2016 revised production guidance range of 170,000 to 190,000 gold equivalent ounces. Annual production totalled 156,052 ounces of gold and 5.32 million ounces of silver combined from the San Dimas and Black Fox mines.
• Cash Costs Within Revised Guidance Range: Consolidated 2016 total cash costs³ were $865 per gold equivalent ounce, with consolidated all-in sustaining costs⁴ ("AISC") of $1,333 per gold ounce slightly below the Company's revised 2016 guidance range.
• Financial Results Impacted by Lower Production: Lower production at both mines resulted in reduced revenue, earnings and cash flows in 2016 compared to 2015. The Company incurred a net loss of $234.4 million ($1.32 per share) including $228.0 million ($188.9 million net of tax) in impairment charges in 2016, and an adjusted net loss¹ of $22.1 million ($0.12 per share) for 2016.
• San Dimas Operations Being Re-Set to Increase Profitability: Primero is reducing the complexity and scale of San Dimas operations in 2017. This is expected to result in significant decreases to the San Dimas workforce and other overhead costs which will enable the return to profitability and long-term sustainability of the mine.
• Reduced General and Administrative Costs: Primero has initiated actions to significantly reduce its general and administrative ("G&A") costs in 2017. The Company has already reduced its corporate office head-count by 30%, and will be downsizing its corporate office space and reducing directors' expenses.

"Although Primero faced significant challenges in 2016, we entered 2017 with renewed motivation to address these challenges and deliver meaningful returns to our shareholders," said Mr. Joseph F. Conway, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have started by strengthening our management team in late 2016, reducing our corporate G&A and refinancing our revolving credit facility, terming out our debt to better match our asset's cash flow profile. Our next focus is resetting the San Dimas operation and bringing the mine back to profitability so it can once again deliver on its world-class potential. We have also renewed our commitment to exploration at both of our mines in order to continue growing their reserve and resource base and fully realize on their significant mineral endowments."

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Production Results

Primero produced 45,794 gold equivalent ounces during the fourth quarter of 2016, at total cash costs of $777 per gold equivalent ounce and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $1,159 per ounce. This resulted in annual production of 176,139 gold equivalent ounces at total cash costs of $865 per gold equivalent ounce and AISC of $1,333 per ounce.

San Dimas produced 28,286 gold equivalent ounces (23,163 ounces of gold and 1.42 million ounces of silver) during the fourth quarter at total cash costs of $746 per gold equivalent ounce and AISC of $994 per gold ounce. This resulted in full-year 2016 production of 113,968 gold equivalent ounces at cash costs of $856 per gold equivalent ounce and AISC of $1,117 per gold ounce, slightly below the revised 2016 guidance range of $1,125 to $1,175 per ounce. Production at San Dimas was impacted by the implementation of enhanced ground support in early 2016, and later by high unplanned worker absences and lack of compliance to the mine plans. This resulted in reduced underground development rates and ventilation restrictions which reduced mine productivity. In late 2016, San Dimas began to reduce the complexity of the mining operation by prioritizing work in the higher productivity areas. Mining development during the fourth quarter of 2016 was the highest quarterly total since the second quarter of 2015, an indication that stopes will begin to be scheduled in an improved manner. For the year, San Dimas mill throughput averaged 2,074 TPD (based on 366-days availability).

Black Fox produced 17,512 ounces of gold during the fourth quarter of 2016 at cash costs of $828 per ounce and AISC of $1,101 per ounce. For the full-year 2016, the mine produced 62,171 ounces at cash costs of $881 per ounce and AISC of $1,291 per ounce, in line with the 2016 revised cost guidance range. The Black Fox underground mine achieved increased production rates averaging 641 TPD in 2016 at an average grade of 5.0 grams per tonne, representing 66% and 4% improvements, respectively, over 2015. Black Fox increased gold production in each quarter of 2016, and mining operations will continue to focus on the higher-quality, more predictable Deep Central and Central zones of the mine, with less reliance on the upper remnant areas. Production from the Deep Central Zone has ramped up since initial stoping activities began in September and mining is now progressing on multiple levels. Black Fox delivered 800 tonnes per day of ore production during the fourth quarter of 2016. The Black Fox mill throughput in 2016 established a new record averaging 2,495 TPD (based on 366 day availability). Management will closely monitor the short-term operating results and cash flow to ensure the Black Fox mine delivers as planned, including possible care and maintenance, and will take necessary corrective actions if required.

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Financial Results

Primero generated $52.2 million of revenue in Q4 2016, compared to $71.4 million Q4 2015 as a result of lower gold equivalent ounces sold partially offset by a higher realized gold price. In Q4 2016, the Company sold 43,925 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,182 per ounce and 1.58 million ounces of silver at an average realized price of $4.34 per ounce. Q4 2015 sales totaled 57,770 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,081 per ounce, and 2.10 million ounces of silver at an average realized price of $4.24 per ounce.

Silver produced at San Dimas is subject to a silver purchase agreement⁵ and as a result 1.57 million ounces of silver were sold to Silver Wheaton Ltd. ("Silver Wheaton") at a fixed price of $4.28per ounce during the fourth quarter. As of December 31, 2016 the Company has delivered 2.12 million ounces of silver under the San Dimas silver purchase agreement's 6.0 million ounce annual contract year threshold (which runs from August 6^th to the following August 5^th), after which the Company will begin selling 50% of the silver produced at San Dimas at spot market prices until August 5, 2016 when the annual threshold is reset. Gold produced at Black Fox is subject to a gold purchase agreement⁶ and as a result 1,214 ounces were sold to Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm") at a fixed price of $524 per ounce in Q4 2016.

The Company incurred a net loss of $190.1 million ($1.01 per share) in Q4 2016 compared with a net loss of $98.3 million ($0.60 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2015. These figures include impairment charges against the San Dimas mine and Black Fox Complex of $228.0 million in Q4 2016 and impairment charges against the Black Fox Complex and Cerro del Gallo development project of $104.0 million in Q4 2015.

Impairment charges of $228.0 million include $111.0 million at the San Dimas mine and $117.0 million at Black Fox complex. The San Dimas impairment was driven by a decrease in reserves, revisions in the mining cut-off grade methodology and the application of higher discount rates in the discounted cash flow valuation. The Black Fox complex impairment charges resulted from decreases in reserves and the resultant shortened mine life. In 2015, impairment charges included $82.0 million at the Black Fox complex resulting from declining metal prices, the decision to temporarily defer Grey Fox development and changes in the Black Fox mine plan to focus primarily on higher grade underground ore, plus $22.0 million at Cerro del Gallo resulting from declining metal prices and the decision to further defer development.

Adjusted net loss for Q4 2016 was $1.8 million ($0.01 per share) compared with an adjusted loss of $38,000 ($0.00 per share) in Q4 2015. Adjusted net loss primarily excludes the impact of impairment charges as described above, foreign exchange rate changes on deferred tax balances, and the mark-to-market gain on the 5.75% convertible debentures.

Operating cash flow before working capital changes in Q4 2016 was $7.0 million ($0.04 per share), compared to $20.7 million ($0.13 per share) in Q4 2015.

For the full-year 2016, Primero generated revenue of $219.2 million, 25% below 2015 due to lower gold and silver ounces produced and sold at both San Dimas and Black Fox. Sales volumes totaled 158,028 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,221 per ounce and 5.56 million ounces of silver at an average realized price of $4.68 per ounce. A total of 5,097 ounces of gold were sold to Sandstorm at a fixed price of $523 per ounce and 5.41 million ounces of silver were sold to Silver Wheaton at a fixed price of $4.26 per ounce. The Company also sold 0.16 million ounces of silver at an average spot price of $19.32 per ounce in 2016.

For 2016, the Company incurred a net loss of $234.4 million ($1.32 per share) including $228.0 million in impairment charges, compared to a net loss of $106.9 million ($0.66 per share) including $104.0 million in impairment charges in 2015.

Adjusted net loss for 2016 was $22.1 million ($0.12 per share) compared with adjusted net income of $6.6 million ($0.04 per share) in 2015. Adjusted net loss and adjusted net income primarily excludes the impact of impairment charges as described above, foreign exchange rate changes on deferred tax balances, and the mark-to-market gain on the convertible debenture.

Operating cash flow before working capital changes was $15.3 million ($0.09 per share) in 2016, compared to $83.2 million ($0.51 per share) in 2015.

Credit Facility Refinanced

The Company's cash position at December 31, 2016 was $20 million. On February 27, 2017, the Company announced that it has entered into a binding term sheet with Sprott Resource Lending Partnership ("Sprott") for a $75 million three year term loan ("Debt Facility"). The Debt Facility is intended to refinance the Company's existing $75 million RCF, of which $50 million is currently drawn, and will be used partly for general corporate purposes. Sprott has concluded technical due diligence and the binding term sheet is subject to execution of definitive transaction documents, all regulatory and other third party approvals and satisfaction of other customary conditions precedent.

San Dimas Strike Update

On February 15, 2017, the Company announced that unionized employees at its San Dimas mine in Mexico had initiated a strike action, resulting in the complete stoppage of mining and milling activities at the site.

Primero continues negotiations with the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel and Allied Workers of the Mexican Republic (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos, Siderúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana) Sections 21 and 22. The Company is not seeking a reduction in individual worker compensation, although the total workforce at San Dimas including contractors is being reduced, a process that has already commenced. Primero needs to reduce the scale and complexity of the San Dimas operation in order to increase productivity and improve the mine's cash flow. Primero's key focus in these negotiations has been to better align the short-term bonus structure with overall mine-site performance and profitability, to move the labour force onto a more continuous shift cycle to improve productivity and to achieve the necessary reductions to the unionized workforce. Primero has identified these as critical changes required to return the San Dimas operation to profitability.

Conference Call Details

The Company's senior management will host a conference call today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 10:00 am ET to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2016 operating and financial results.

Participants may join the call by dialling North America toll free 1-888-789-9572 or 416-695-7806 for calls outside Canada and the U.S., and entering the participant passcode 1092106.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at www.primeromining.com under the News and Events section or by clicking here: http://www.gowebcasting.com/8311.

A recorded playback of the fourth quarter and full-year 2016 results call will be available until July 1, 2017 by dialling 1-800-408-3053 or 905-694-9451 and entering the call back passcode 5641196.

This release should be read in conjunction with Primero's audited year-end 2016 financial statements and MD&A report on the Company's website, www.primeromining.com, in the "Financial Reports" section under "Investors", or on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, or on the Edgar website www.sec.gov.

(1) Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share are non-GAAP measures. Neither of these non-GAAP performance measures has any standardized meaning and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to other measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the fourth quarter and full-year 2016 MD&A for a reconciliation of adjusted net income (loss) to reported net income (loss).

(2) "Gold equivalent ounces" include silver ounces produced, and converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average commodity prices realized for each period. The ratio for the fourth quarter 2016 for San Dimas was based on realized prices of $1,208 per ounce of gold and $4.34 per ounce of silver. The ratio for the full-year 2016 for San Dimas was based on realized prices of $1,246 per ounce of gold and $4.68 per ounce of silver.

(3) Total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce and total cash costs on a by-product basis are non-GAAP measures. Total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce are defined as cost of production (including refining costs) divided by the total number of gold equivalent ounces produced. Total cash costs on a by-product basis are calculated by deducting the by-product silver credits from operating costs. The Company reports total cash costs on a production basis. In the gold mining industry, these are common performance measures but do not have any standardized meaning, and are non-GAAP measures. The Company follows the recommendations of the Gold Institute standard. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures, prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the fourth quarter full-year 2016 MD&A for a reconciliation of total cash costs to reported operating expenses (the nearest GAAP measure).

(4) The Company, in conjunction with an initiative undertaken within the gold mining industry, has adopted an all-in sustaining cost non-GAAP performance measure that the Company believes more fully defines the total cost associated with producing gold; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company reports this measure on a gold ounces produced basis. For the purposes of calculating all-in sustaining costs at individual mine sites, the Company does not include corporate general and administrative expenses. Corporate general and administrative expenses are included in the computation of all-in sustaining costs per consolidated gold ounce. Refer to the Company's fourth quarter and full-year 2016 MD&A for a reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce.

(5) According to the silver purchase agreement between the Company and Silver Wheaton Corp., until August 6, 2015 Primero delivered to Silver Wheaton a per annum amount equal to the first 3.5 million ounces of silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess at $4.12 per ounce (increasing by 1% per year). Thereafter Primero will deliver to Silver Wheaton a per annum amount equal to the first 6.0 million ounces of silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess at $4.20 per ounce (increasing by 1% per year). The Company will receive silver spot prices only after the annual threshold amount has been delivered.

(6) Black Fox was subject to a gold purchase agreement which continues and was assumed by the Company upon its acquisition of the mine. According to the gold purchase agreement, Sandstorm is entitled to 8% of production at the Black Fox mine and 6.3% at the Pike River property.

About Primero

Primero Mining Corp. is a Canadian-based precious metals producer that owns 100% of the San Dimas gold-silver mine and the Cerro del Gallo gold-silver-copper development project in Mexico and 100% of the Black Fox mine and adjoining properties in the Township of Black River‐Matheson near Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Primero offers immediate exposure to un-hedged, below average cash cost gold production with a substantial resource base in politically stable jurisdictions. The Company is focused on becoming a leading intermediate gold producer by building a portfolio of high quality, low cost precious metals assets in the Americas.

Primero's website is www.primeromining.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business and operations of Primero Mining Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Primero" or the "Company"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "if approved", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "in order to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "are anticipated", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will require", "will allow", "will enhance" or "will include" or similar statements or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information is also identifiable in statements of currently occurring matters which will continue in future, such as "is updating", "is working" or "is also assessing" or other statements that may be stated in the present tense and are not historical facts or words with future implication such as "opportunity", "promising".

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the level and timing of gold equivalent production at San Dimas and Black Fox; the Company's annual production guidance; the realization of silver sales at spot prices; the amount of gold equivalent ounces produced in 2017, the cash costs and all-in sustaining costs for 2017; the capital expenditures in 2017; the Black Fox underground development and the close monitoring of its short-term operating results and cash flow; the amount of ore from the Company's operations in 2016; the probability of encountering high grade mineralization in, and the exploration potential of, the Company's exploration targets and plans; the ability to generate significant free cash flow while repaying debt and also internally funding future growth; optimization initiatives; statements regarding the APA and the Company's ability to defend its validity, the Company's ability to pay taxes in Mexico on realized silver prices; the Company's negotiations with the union at its San Dimas mine; the Company's refinancement of its existing credit facility; statements regarding the Company's capacity to satisfy the obligation to pay all of the redemption price of the Debentures; and the Company's intentions to become an intermediate gold producer.

The assumptions made by the Company in preparing the forward-looking information contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: the expectations and beliefs of management; the specific assumptions set forth above in this news release; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations; that optimization at San Dimas proceeds on a basis consistent with current expectations and the Company does not change its development and exploration plans; that the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar, Mexican peso and the United States dollar remain consistent with current levels or as set out in this news release; that prices for gold and silver remain consistent with the Company's expectations; that production meets expectations; the amount of silver that the Company will sell at spot prices in 2017; that the Company is able to reach an agreement with the union at its San Dimas mine; that the Company is able to refinance its existing credit facility; that there are no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment; that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour; that the political environment within Mexico and Canada will continue to support the development of environmentally safe mining projects.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Primero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including: the Company may not be able to achieve planned production levels; the Company may not be able to expand production at San Dimas as anticipated or generate significant free cash flow; the Company may not be able to develop the Cerro del Gallo asset or realize anticipated production levels; the Company may not be successful in returning the Black Fox mine to higher production levels; the Company may be required to change its development and exploration plans with a negative impact on production; the Company may not discover mineralization in minable quantities; the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and the United States dollar may change with an adverse impact on the Company's financial results; the optimization initiatives may not provide the benefits anticipated; that the Company may not be able to reach an agreement with the union at its San Dimas mine; that the Company may not be able to refinance its existing credit facility; the Company may not be able to become an intermediate gold producer by building a portfolio of high quality, low cost precious metals assets in the Americas. Certain of these factors are discussed in greater detail in Primero's registration statement on Form 40-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and its most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com.

Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. In addition, although Primero has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Primero does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included in this document, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOLLOW

Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/14/11G133085/PR6-17_Q4_2016_Results_Final_v2-fcd90272337b8860b35ca8e8dfb0aaaf.pdf