Auryn Resources and North Country Gold sign Definitive Joint Exploration Agreement for the High Grade Committee Bay Gold Project and complete Private Placement

VANCOUVER, March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Auryn Resources Inc. (TSX-V: AUG, "Auryn") and North Country Gold Corp. (TSX-V: NCG, "North Country") jointly announce the execution of a definitive Joint Exploration Agreement (the "JEA") whereby Auryn can earn a 51% interest in North Country's Committee Bay Project in Nunavut, Canada, under the terms of the Letter of Intent previously announced on February 5, 2015.

Under the JEA, Auryn has the option to spend $6,000,000 CDN over a 30-month period to earn a 51% interest in the mineral concessions comprising the Committee Bay Project at which time the parties will share costs pro-rata in a customary joint venture. Of this amount, $500,000 is a firm commitment to be incurred within the first 12 months. A technical committee will be formed to jointly plan and oversee exploration programs. Auryn will have ultimate discretion over the nature and manner of exploration undertaken during the earn-in period and will become the Operator of the ensuing joint venture, while North Country will provide staff, equipment and consumables as the Contractor to implement programs.

As a condition of the JEA, Auryn has agreed to purchase 10 million North Country common shares at a price of $0.05 each as part of a non-brokered private placement of 20 million common shares of North Country (the "Common Shares") also previously announced on February 5, 2015 (the "Private Placement"). 

The TSX Venture Exchange has provided final approval for the JEA and the Private Placement. 

The Common Shares are subject to a hold period expiring on July 20, 2015. 

In connection with the Private Placement, North Country paid finders' fees of 5% cash to certain agents with respect to certain subscription agreements.  The total finders' fees paid was $14,375.

With the completion of the JEA, the parties are currently formulating exploration strategies for the 2015 season. The 2015 program is designed to create a district scale geologic model that will pave the way for more intensive drill campaigns in 2016 and 2017.

Shawn Wallace President and CEO of Auryn Resources stated: "We are very pleased to have completed the definitive agreement with North Country on the Committee Bay Project.  Auryn is very excited to be participating in unlocking the value of a district scale, high grade gold exploration opportunity in Canada."

Brian Budd, President of North Country stated, "North Country Gold welcomes Auryn to the Committee Bay Project, and is very pleased to have a partner that shares our belief in the exploration potential of the belt. The combined expertise of the two companies will continue to create significant shareholder value through discovery by implementing new ideas and technologies, and accessing new investment for the project."

About Auryn Resources:  Auryn Resources is a junior mining exploration company focused on delivering shareholder value through project acquisition and development. The Company's management team is highly experienced with an impressive track record of success in the discovery, development, financing and monetizing of mining assets for shareholders.

About North Country Gold Corp:  As a proven industry leader, North Country Gold's vision is to acquire, and aggressively enhance existing assets while growing  the aggregate  value of its high quality gold projects. Applied through disciplined scientific exploration and development,  in stable and safe mining jurisdictions.

On Behalf of North Country Gold:

Brian Budd
President & Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 604.697.2861

On Behalf of Auryn Resources:

Shawn Wallace
President, CEO and Director
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 778.729.0600

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE Auryn Resources Inc.