PolyMet Expands Financing to US$30 Million

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA--(Marketwired - Oct 12, 2016) - PolyMet Mining Corp. ("PolyMet" or the "Company") (TSX:POM)(NYSE MKT:PLM) announced today that it has expanded its previously-announced private placement to approximately 26 million Units (the "Units"), at a price of US$0.75 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately US$19.5 million in a private transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share (a "Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "Warrant"), exercisable for one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") for US$1.00 per Warrant Share for a period beginning 6 months following the issue date and ending 60 months after the issue date, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.

In addition, one shareholder has informed PolyMet that it intends to exercise its right to maintain its pro rate share of the total number of Units sold and will purchase an additional approximately 14 million Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$10.5 million.

The underwriter for the Offering has placed 22 million Units for US$16.5 million, including the previously announced 10 million Unit bought deal, and PolyMet has commitments for approximately an additional 4 million Units for US$3.0 million.

The Offering is expected to close on or about October 18, 2016 and is subject to PolyMet receiving all necessary regulatory approvals. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period in Canada.

PolyMet will issue final details after each tranche closes.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily to advance its NorthMet Project, for working capital, and general corporate purposes.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities laws, or compliance with an exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This notice is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

About PolyMet

PolyMet Mining Corp. (www.polymetmining.com) is a publicly-traded mine development company that owns 100 percent of Poly Met Mining, Inc., a Minnesota corporation that controls 100 percent of the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body through a long-term lease and owns 100 percent of the Erie Plant, a large processing facility located approximately six miles from the ore body in the established mining district of the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Poly Met Mining, Inc. has completed its Definitive Feasibility Study. The NorthMet Final EIS was published in November 2015, preparing the way for decisions on permit applications. NorthMet is expected to require approximately two million hours of construction labor, creating approximately 360 long-term jobs, a level of activity that will have a significant multiplier effect in the local economy.

PolyMet Disclosures

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "potential," "possible," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the ability to receive environmental and operating permits, job creation, and the effect on the local economy, placement of additional Units, the closing date of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, or other statements that are not a statement of fact. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its predictions.

PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations and opinions should change.

Specific reference is made to PolyMet's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Report on Form 6-K providing information with respect to our operations for the three and six months ended July 31, 2016, for a discussion of some of the risk factors and other considerations underlying forward-looking statements.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact

Media
Bruce Richardson
Corporate Communications
+1 (651) 389-4111
brichardson@polymetmining.com
Investor Relations
Jenny Knudson
Investor Relations
+1 (651) 389-4110
jknudson@polymetmining.com