Mr. Scott Perry reports

AURICO GOLD TO SELL THE OCAMPO MINE AND ENTERS INTO A JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT ON THE ORION PROJECT FOR $750 MILLION IN CASH

AuRico Gold Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Minera Frisco S.A.B. de C.V. will acquire the Ocampo mine and the adjacent exploration projects, Venus and Los Jarros, all located in Chihuahua state, Mexico, and a 50-per-cent interest in the Orion advanced development project located in Nayarit state, Mexico, from AuRico Gold, for a total cash consideration of $750-million. Minera Frisco is a leading Mexican mining company that was spun out of Grupo Carso S.A. de C.V. in November, 2010, and is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange with a current market capitalization of approximately $10.7-billion. The transaction is expected to close in December, 2012. (All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.)

Upon closing of the transaction, the company expects to use the net proceeds from the transaction to eliminate certain debt obligations, invest in internal growth opportunities, provide sufficient working capital and liquidity for the company going forward, and to undertake a significant return of capital to shareholders.

Scott Perry, president and chief executive officer of AuRico Gold, commented: "Minera Frisco presented a compelling, all-cash offer that will strengthen the company's balance sheet and repositions AuRico to execute on its strategy of delivering consistent, reliable and sustainable production from our two core assets in Canada and Mexico. The transaction will allow us to deliver a meaningful return of capital to our shareholders, significantly enhance our liquidity position, give us considerable financial flexibility to support our current operations and examine brownfield expansion opportunities. Following the transaction, the company will be well positioned to meet its key objectives of growing its profitability and cash flow through the long life, low-cost Young-Davidson and El Chanate operations located in low-risk jurisdictions, while maintaining a strong organic growth profile primarily driven by increasing production at Young-Davidson. In addition, we have gained a solid partner to further evaluate and potentially advance the Orion project in the coming years through the joint venture with Minera Frisco."

The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including a standard review by the competition and anti-trust commission of Mexico, and the approval of a simple majority of Minera Frisco's shareholders. The transaction is not subject to any financing conditions.

Advisers and counsel

Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) Inc. is retained by AuRico Gold to act as its financial adviser and has provided a fairness opinion to AuRico's board of directors. Credit Suisse Securities (Canada) has provided an opinion that, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration to be received by the company pursuant to the transaction is fair from a financial point of view to the company.

BMO Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets Inc. are acting as financial advisers to the special committee of AuRico's board of directors. BMO Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets have each provided an opinion to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained in such opinion, the consideration to be received by the company pursuant to the transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the company.

Fasken Martineau LLP is acting as legal counsel to AuRico and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as legal counsel to the special committee of AuRico's board of directors.

AuRico conference call and webcast

AuRico will hold a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

Conference call access

Toll-free Canada and the United States:  1-888-231-8191

International and Toronto:  1-647-427-7450

Conference call webcast

The conference call event will be broadcast live on the Internet via webcast.

Archive call access

If you are unable to attend the conference call, a replay will be available until midnight, Oct. 24, 2012, by dialling the appropriate number below.

Local Toronto participants:  1-416-849-0833, passcode No. 34757319

North America toll-free:  1-855-859-2056, passcode No. 34757319

Archive webcast

The webcast will be archived for 90 days.

We seek Safe Harbor.