Mr. Stephen Quin of Midas Gold reports

BARRICK MAKES STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN MIDAS GOLD TO ADVANCE THE STIBNITE GOLD PROJECT, IDAHO

Midas Gold Corp. has entered into an agreement with Barrick Gold Corp., whereby Barrick will purchase 46,551,731 common shares of Midas Gold in a non-brokered private placement at a price of $1.06 per share for gross proceeds of $38,065,907 (U.S.). The placement will result in Barrick owning 19.9 per cent of the issued and outstanding shares in Midas Gold on a posttransaction basis. Barrick's investment supports Midas Gold's continued efforts to permit the Stibnite gold project so that Midas Gold can build and operate a world-class mining operation that addresses legacy environmental impacts and generate economic benefits to the local community.

"Midas Gold is in the midst of advancing the Stibnite gold project through completion of a feasibility study and permitting for site restoration and redevelopment," said Stephen Quin, president and chief executive officer of Midas Gold. "With our detailed plan for site restoration and protection of the environment, a large, long-life and low-cost operation, and a comprehensive proposal for the closure and reclamation of the site, Midas Gold is positioned to complete the critical milestones of feasibility study and permitting. Barrick shares Midas Gold's vision for the restoration of the site and focus on community engagement. We believe Barrick's extensive expertise and its core values, focused on environmental sustainability, make us natural partners."

"Midas Gold's Stibnite gold project in Idaho offers a compelling investment proposition, with low geopolitical risk, potential for production of over 300,000 ounces of gold per year at competitive operating costs and exploration upside," said Kelvin Dushnisky, president of Barrick. "We are also impressed with the emphasis that Midas Gold has placed on building partnerships with local communities and share their strong commitment to environmental stewardship. We look forward to working with the Midas Gold team to explore opportunities to enhance the value of the project for all partners."

Use of proceeds

Midas Gold will use the proceeds from the placement to advance its Stibnite gold project through to completion of a feasibility study and permitting of the project for redevelopment and restoration.

During the past five years, Midas Gold has conducted extensive, multiyear environmental baseline programs to determine and define existing environmental conditions at this brownfield site while reaching out to communities of interest for their views and perspectives regarding a future for the Stibnite gold project site and the local area. Midas Gold has focused on the remediation and repair of the historical disturbance at the site during the construction and operating periods, incorporating concurrent reclamation and minimizing new disturbance. Midas Gold's goal is to protect the environment and provide stable and secure features that will serve as the foundation for a long-term productive and naturally sustainable ecosystem that incorporates permanent fish passage through the area for the first time since the 1930s. The ultimate objective is the permanent restoration of the site, financed by a long-life, financially rewarding operation that generates significant economic benefits to the local communities of Valley county, the State of Idaho and the United States.

In December, 2014, Midas Gold completed a preliminary feasibility study, which identified an environmentally sound and economically feasible project that could also finance the restoration of what is an extensively disturbed brownfield site. Midas Gold has since: (i) extensively engaged with local communities and other stakeholders in respect of the redevelopment and site restoration concepts for the project; (ii) completed a number of optimization and risk reduction technical studies that would be required to support a feasibility study and/or the permit application; (iii) in September, 2016, filed a plan of restoration and operations for the redevelopment of the project; (iv) commenced work toward completion of a feasibility study for the project; and (v) worked extensively with regulators to advance the permitting process for the project.

Transaction details

In connection with the strategic investment, Midas Gold and Barrick will enter into an investor rights agreement on closing of the offering, whereby, so long as Barrick maintains a minimum of 10-per-cent ownership in Midas Gold, Barrick will be granted:

• The right to appoint one director to Midas Gold's board of directors;
• A right to participate in future Midas Gold equity issuances to maintain its then current pro rata interest in Midas Gold;
• Certain top-up rights in connection with Midas Gold's outstanding convertible notes to maintain its then current pro rata interest in Midas Gold by undertaking additional financing;
• A right of first refusal in respect of gold concentrates.

In addition, Midas Gold will be increasing the number of directors on its board from seven to eight and will be appointing an independent director to fill that position.

Paulson & Co. and Teck Resources Ltd. have both provided notice to Midas Gold that they do not intend to exercise their anti-dilution rights in respect of this transaction.

Advisers

Haywood Securities Inc. is acting as financial adviser to Midas Gold. DuMoulin Black LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel to Midas Gold, and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel to Barrick.

About Midas Gold Corp. and the Stibnite gold project

Midas Gold, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and development of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite/Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by its Stibnite gold project. The Stibnite gold project, as proposed in the plan of restoration and operations currently being reviewed by regulators, would restore the site, create economic opportunity and benefit the surrounding communities.

About Barrick Gold Corp.

Barrick aims to be the leading mining company focused on gold, creating value by developing and operating high-quality assets in an environmentally responsible way that demonstrates commitment to the local communities.

We seek Safe Harbor.