TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - May 06, 2015) -

(Please note that all dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Refer to the Company's first quarter 2015 management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and financial statements for more information.)

Primero Mining Corp. ("Primero" or the "Company") (TSX: P) (NYSE: PPP) today reports financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Company is pleased to report strong production of 61,073 gold equivalent ounces1, a 54% increase compared to the first quarter of 2014, at total cash costs2 of $699 per gold equivalent ounce. Primero also reports first quarter revenues of $73.3 million, operating cash flow before changes in working capital3 of $18.8 million ($0.12 per share), and net income of $3.6 million ($0.02 per share).

First Quarter Highlights:

• Production Growth: Strong first quarter performance included 61,073 gold equivalent ounces (54,365 ounces of gold and 1.93 million ounces of silver) from San Dimas and Black Fox combined, compared to 39,758 gold equivalent ounces produced in the same period of 2014.

• Record Quarter at San Dimas: San Dimas achieved record quarterly production totaling 46,569 gold equivalent ounces (39,861 ounces of gold and 1.93 million ounces of silver), compared to 35,662 gold equivalent ounces produced in Q1 2014, representing a 31% increase. The mine achieved industry lowest quartile total cash costs of $582 per gold equivalent ounce or $659 on an all-in sustaining cost basis4.

• 2015 Guidance Maintained: Primero remains on-track to achieve 2015 production guidance of between 250,000 and 270,000 gold equivalent ounces, at total cash costs in the range of $650 to $700 per gold equivalent ounce, or between $1,000 and $1,100 per ounce on an all-in sustaining cost basis.

• Strong Revenue and Operating Cash Flow Generation: Primero generated strong quarterly revenues of $73.3 million and operating cash flow before working capital changes of $18.8 million ($0.12 per share). The Company reported net income of $3.6 million ($0.02 per share) and adjusted net income of $1.1 million ($0.01 per share)5.

• Balance Sheet Remains Strong: Total liquidity position of $132.6 million as at March 31, 2015, includes the addition of $75 million of convertible unsecured subordinated debentures ($71 million net proceeds), maturing on February 28, 2020.

• Costs Managed: First quarter total cash costs of $699 per gold equivalent ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,044 per ounce, remain within the Company's 2015 guidance range.

• San Dimas Mill Operating Above Design: The San Dimas mill achieved an average daily throughput rate of 2,863 tonnes per day during the quarter, well above its nameplate capacity of 2,500 tonnes per day, and setting the stage for timely completion of the planned expansion to 3,000 tonnes per day by mid-2016.

• Black Fox Focused on Transition to Underground: Underground development at Black Fox continues to progress on-schedule and the underground mine remains on-track to achieve production rates of 1,000 tonnes per day during the third quarter of 2015.

• Improved Reserve and Resource Grades: Primero's focus on delivering high quality, high margin underground ounces resulted in a 4% increase, to 5.7 grams per tonne, in the gold mineral reserve grade at its platform San Dimas mine in Mexico, as well as a 19% increase in the underground gold mineral reserve grade to 7.5 grams per tonne at its Black Fox mine, located near Timmins, Ontario.

"Primero has delivered a strong start to 2015," stated Joseph F. Conway, Chief Executive Officer. "Our platform San Dimas mine achieved record production levels and continues to exceed operational expectations, delivering significant cash flow for the Company. I am extremely proud of our operating team for the success they have achieved at this mine, as it continues to show improved grades, higher throughput, lower costs and more operational flexibility. We are employing the same optimization approach used at San Dimas at the Black Fox mine, which is on-track with underground development and is positioned to increase mined grade and improve cash flow from mid-2015 onwards. At a corporate level we successfully completed the convertible debenture financing early in the first quarter, ensuring that we have the financial capacity to invest and expand our assets in a volatile gold price environment. Our strong first quarter performance has positioned us to deliver the 20% organic growth planned in 2015, creating a period of strong cash flow and value creation for our shareholders."

Production Growth

Primero produced 61,073 gold equivalent ounces (54,365 ounces of gold and 1.93 million ounces of silver) from San Dimas and Black Fox combined during the first quarter of 2015, at total cash costs of $699 per gold equivalent ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,044 per ounce. This compares favourably to Q1 2014 production of 39,758 gold equivalent ounces, at total cash costs of $686 per gold equivalent ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,381 per ounce. During the first quarter of 2014, Primero only owned the Black Fox mine for 26 days. Quarterly production remains in-line with Q4 2014 levels of 62,209 gold equivalent ounces at total cash costs of $701 per gold equivalent ounce. The Company remains on-track to meet 2015 production and cost guidance (see below).

"We have successfully established operations at the San Dimas mine at 2,900 tonnes per day, well ahead of schedule," stated Ernest Mast, President and Chief Operating Officer. "The remaining 100 tonnes per day will require optimizations that we will complete during 2015, with the final tailings belt filter currently scheduled for completion in early 2016. At Black Fox we have continued to drill the central high-grade zone at depth, expanding the known mineralization. We now have 50 intercepts with an average of 12 grams per tonne gold over 7 metres. This is materially higher grade than the mineralization above the 550 metre level. For this reason the Company is now determining the best ramp route and planning to start the Black Fox ramp down to the 600 metre level in 2015. We expect to be in a position to access this higher grade mineralization in 2016."

San Dimas Mine and Mill Outperform - Both Achieve Record Quarterly Production

San Dimas produced 46,569 gold equivalent ounces (39,861 ounces of gold and 1.93 million ounces of silver) during the first quarter of 2015, 31% more than the same period in 2014, achieving record quarterly production. The increase in production was largely attributable to consistent mill operation above its nameplate capacity of 2,500 tonnes per day ("TPD"). During the quarter, the San Dimas mill achieved average throughput of 2,863 TPD, a 30% increase versus Q1 2014. Importantly, the San Dimas mine maintained pace with the mill, achieving record quarterly production of 2,931 TPD, 21% higher than in Q1 2014. Head grades increased as expected and consistent with recent exploration success, averaging 5.01 grams per tonne ("g/t") of gold during the quarter. Metallurgical recoveries also reverted to their historical high levels with the completion of a final leach tank, averaging 96% for gold and 93% for silver in the quarter.

San Dimas total cash costs declined in the first quarter 2015 to $582 per gold equivalent ounce, down 8% from $632 in the first quarter 2014. All-in sustaining costs at San Dimas declined to the industry's lowest quartile at $659 per ounce in the first quarter 2015, compared with $893 per ounce in the same period of 2014, due to lower sustaining capital expenditures and higher production.

The San Dimas mine and mill are on-track to complete the planned expansion to 3,000 TPD of throughput in mid-2016.

Black Fox Focused on Transition to Underground

Black Fox produced 14,504 ounces of gold during the first quarter at total cash costs of $1,077 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,552 per ounce. As previously announced, the mine is in a transitional phase as production shifts from primarily open-pit to high grade underground production. The underground mine remains on schedule to achieve the targeted 1,000 TPD production rate during the third quarter of 2015, thereafter all-in sustaining costs are expected to decrease materially. The Black Fox mill operated at 2,121 TPD in Q1 2015, despite challenging winter conditions. Approximately 94% of the ore was mined from the open-pit and the remainder from underground development, according to plan, as the Company focuses on building its underground stope inventory. The Company will continue producing predominantly from the open-pit until mid-2015 when higher grade production from the underground is expected to increase. As a result, gold production at Black Fox is expected to be weighted towards the second half of the year.

Strong Financial Results

Revenue in the first quarter of 2015 was $73.3 million, 52% higher than the $48.3 million in the first quarter 2014, as a result of the addition of the Black Fox Complex and the expansion of the San Dimas mill (see above). The Company sold 55,037 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,186 per ounce and 1.90 million ounces of silver at an average realized price of $4.20 per ounce in the first quarter of 2015, in accordance with the San Dimas silver purchase agreement6 and the Black Fox gold stream agreement7.

Gold produced at Black Fox is subject to a gold purchase agreement and as a result 1,858 ounces were sold to Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm") at a fixed price of $518 per ounce in the first quarter of 2015. Silver produced at San Dimas is subject to a silver purchase agreement and as a result 1.90 million ounces of silver were sold to Silver Wheaton Caymans ("Silver Wheaton") at a fixed price of $4.20 per ounce during the first quarter 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has delivered 4.3 million ounces of silver into the San Dimas silver purchase agreement's 6.0 million ounce annual threshold (August 5 annual threshold renewal date), after which the Company will begin selling 50% of the silver produced at San Dimas at spot market prices until the next threshold renewal date (August 5).

The Company realized net income of $3.6 million ($0.02 per share) for the first quarter of 2015 compared with a net loss of $8.3 million ($0.06 per share loss) for the first quarter of 2014, mainly as a result of increased gold and silver sales.

The adjusted net income for the first quarter was $1.1 million ($0.01 per share), compared to an adjusted net loss of $2.0 million ($0.02 per share loss) in the first quarter of 2014. Adjusted net loss/income primarily excludes the mark to market on the 5.75% convertible debentures, transaction costs, the impact of impairment charges, the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on deferred tax balances in both periods, and the gain on derivative liability.

Operating cash flow before working capital changes in the first quarter of 2015 was $18.8 million ($0.12 per share), compared to $6.5 million ($0.05 per share) in the first quarter of 2014.

Balance Sheet Strengthened

The Company's liquidity position at March 31, 2015 was $132.6 million, comprising of $57.6 million in cash, up from the December 31, 2014 balance of $27.4 million, plus $75 million of undrawn revolving credit facility. The notable increase in liquidity is largely attributable to the receipt of net proceeds from the $75 million convertible debenture financing completed during the quarter.

On February 9, 2014, Primero closed a $75 million offering of 5.75% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures, maturing on February 28, 2020. As previously reported, the Company intends to use the proceeds to fund underground development and mill expansion plans at San Dimas, to fund development and capital expenditures at the Black Fox complex, and to repay the indebtedness outstanding under its $75 million revolving credit facility, with the balance to be used for general corporate purposes. In March 2015, the outstanding amount on the revolving credit facility of $40 million was repaid.

Capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2015 totaled $19.0 million, in line with the $20.3 million spent during the same period in 2014. Total capital expenditures during 2015 are expected to be approximately $66.7 million excluding capitalized exploration costs of $18.6 million.

2015 Guidance Maintained

Primero maintains its production guidance of between 250,000 and 270,000 gold equivalent ounces, up to 20% higher than 2014, due to increased production from both San Dimas and Black Fox. Total cash costs for 2015 are expected to be in the range of $650 to $700 per gold equivalent ounce, or between $1,000 and $1,100 per ounce on an all-in sustaining cost basis.

Material assumptions used to forecast total cash costs for 2015 include: an average gold price of $1,200 per ounce; an average silver price of $5.21 per ounce (calculated using the silver purchase agreement contract price of $4.20 per ounce and assuming excess silver beyond contract requirements is sold at an average silver price of $18 per ounce); and conservative foreign exchange rates of 1.10 Canadian dollars and 13 Mexican pesos to the US dollar.

Black Fox Complex Plan

The Company is currently filling the 2,200 TPD Black Fox mill with ore from the Black Fox open-pit and underground operations. During the third quarter of 2015 the Company will deplete the current open-pit and production from the underground mine will increase to approximately 1,000 TPD. The Company will then supplement underground production with the Black Fox stockpile, currently estimated to be 1.0 million tonnes of 1.1 g/t gold, which is capable of sustaining the mill until late 2017.

As a result of positive exploration results from the central zone at Black Fox, the Company is now planning to accelerate the ramp down to the 600 metre level during 2015. The Company expects to complete an updated internal resource estimate and announce any associated capital requirements for this ramp by the third quarter of 2015.

The Company has begun an internal scoping study designed to assess strategies to optimize its Timmins assets. The Black Fox Complex scoping study will assess:

• The timing and economic returns of developing an open-pit at Grey Fox;

• The timing and economic returns of developing an underground operation at Grey Fox;

• The cost of installing a shaft to access mineralization below 700 metres below surface at Black Fox.

Given the exploration success at Black Fox and Grey Fox, the Company is confident that alternate economic ore sources to complement the Black Fox underground operation will be available before the end of 2017.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company's senior management will host a conference call today, Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the first quarter financial and operational results.

Participants may join the call by dialing 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 7803315.

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:

A recorded playback of the Q1 2015 results call will be available until August 3, 2015 by dialing 1-800-408-3053 or 905-694-9451 and entering the call back passcode 7803315.

This release should be read in conjunction with Primero's first quarter 2015 financial statements and MD&A report on the Company's website, www.primeromining.com, or on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

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", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "are anticipated", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will require", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information is also identifiable in statements of currently occurring matters which will continue in future or other statements that may be stated in the present tense and are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the level of gold equivalent production at San Dimas and Black Fox; the realization of silver sales at spot prices; the amount of gold equivalent ounces produced in 2015, the cash costs and all-in sustaining costs for 2015; the capital expenditures in 2015; the underground development in 2015; the amount of ore from the Company's operations in 2015; the probability of encountering high grade mineralization in, and the exploration potential of, the Company's exploration targets; optimization and expansion initiatives; 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; the expectations regarding the ability to decrease costs; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations; that development and expansion projects proceed 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; that the Company will sell some of its silver production at spot prices in 2015; that the Company identifies higher grade veins in sufficient quantities of minable ore at its operations; 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 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, or generate significant free cash flow, or may not realize cost reductions or material cost reductions; the Company may not be able to expand production, or realize anticipated production levels; the Company may not be able to complete development projects or realize anticipated 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 and expansion initiatives may not provide the benefits anticipated; 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

1. Includes the results for the period for which the Black Fox Complex assets, acquired on March 5, 2014, were owned by Primero (March 5, 2014 to March 31, 2014).
2. Average realized gold and silver prices reflect the impact of the gold purchase agreement with Sandstorm at the Black Fox mine and the silver purchase agreement with Silver Wheaton Caymans at the San Dimas mine (see "Other liquidity considerations" in the Company's first quarter 2015 MD&A").
3. Adjustment to 2014 figures - as a result of the finalization of the Black Fox purchase price allocation the depletion at Black Fox was adjusted relating to the period March 5, 2014 to March 31, 2014. Earnings from mine operation increased by $1.2 million, net loss and adjusted loss decreased by $834,000. (see Note 1(i) to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

1. Average realized silver prices reflect the impact of the silver purchase agreement with Silver Wheaton Caymans (see "Other liquidity considerations in the Company's first quarter 2015 MD&A").
2. Total cash costs per gold ounce on a gold equivalent and by-product basis and all-in sustaining costs are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the Company's first quarter 2015 MD&A for a reconciliation to operating expenses.

1. The Company reports total cash costs on a production basis, where the prior owner of Black Fox reported total cash costs on a sales basis, consequently the reported total cash costs, cash costs per gold ounce, and all-in sustaining costs per ounce for Black Fox for historical periods will differ from those reported by the prior owner.
2. Total cash costs per gold ounce on a gold equivalent and by-product basis and all-in sustaining costs are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the Company's first quarter 2015 MD&A for a reconciliation to operating expenses.
3. Adjustment to 2014 figures - as a result of the finalization of the Black Fox purchase price allocation the depletion at Black Fox was adjusted. Earnings from mine operations increased by $1.2 million in Q1 2014, $5.0 million in Q2 2014, $7.0 million in Q3 2014 and decreased by $13.2 million in Q4 2014. (see Note 1(i) to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

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