QMEA Reiterates Desire to Make Improvements to Mining Act

ROUYN-NORANDA, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 1, 2013) - After a first round of debates on the mining bill (Bill 43) in the National Assembly, the Quebec Mining Exploration Association (QMEA) has reiterated concerns regarding certain provisions contained in the draft. Major changes are needed to ensure the viability and functionality of the bill. The foundation of a new law must be based on a transparent, predictable and stable legal framework for the development of Quebec's mineral sector to be in the best economic interests of the province.

QMEA also believes that all major changes should be done with consensus among the main parties, which are the Government, industries and municipalities.

"The success of this bill is based on the willingness of all parties to develop an understanding based on pragmatic and realistic compromise. Quebec has nothing to gain from adopting a legislative framework that ignores Quebec's geoscientific reality and the economic context in which we operate," said Mr Philippe Cloutier, Geologist and QMEA Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Association would like to remind that the bill includes many provisions that are already unanimously accepted by the industry. These include filing of a site restoration plan, the payment of 100% of financial guarantees to ensure future remediation of these sites, awarding a proactive role for county regional municipalities and several other provisions intended to promote responsible resource development.

QMEA invites the Government to pay particular attention to the 50 provisions identified in its brief submitted to the National Assembly on September 17. Many of these proposals relate to the management of mining titles, the withdrawal of several new random requirements that would be imposed on operators, as well as arbitrary provisions that will hinder the development of the sector. These proposed changes are intended to contribute to the adoption of a transparent, predictable and stable legal framework to ensure the development of Quebec's mineral sector in the best economic interests of the province.

"We hope that the government will draw from discussions with key parties and we offer our cooperation to develop the necessary changes to render the bill more in line with the requirements of sustainable development of our mineral resources," said Valérie Fillion, Executive Director of QMEA.

About Quebec Mining Exploration Association (QMEA)

QMEA is a professional and industrial association representing players in Quebec's mineral exploration. Founded in 1975, QMEA's mission is to increase exploration and support the development of mining entrepreneurship in Quebec. QMEA has over 2000 individual members, as well as 250 corporate members representing Quebec's mineral sector. It is run by a board of directors composed of 20 representatives from different areas of mining exploration.