QMEA Remains Prudent About the Extent of the Proposed Reform: The Association Comments the New # 43 Mining Act

ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 30, 2013) - The Quebec Mining Exploration Association (QMEA) remains cautious following today's filing by the Minister of Natural Resources of Quebec, Ms. Martine Ouellet, of a draft law that represents a fundamental reform of Quebec's current mining law.

The QMEA will be busy acquainting itselft with all the proposed changes while performing an in-depth analysis of their overall impacts on research and development activities of mineral resources of exploration societies.

First of all, the Association recognizes that Ms. Ouellet has made significant efforts to reconcile different perspectives and maintain the necessary conditions to ensure the development of Quebec's mineral industry. This is particularly the case of proposals made by the QMEA on the concept of sensitive areas in municipal areas and the importance of the pioneering exploration in the discovery process of future deposits.

"We welcome the Minister's intention of respecting acquired rights, a fundamental demand from our industry, which was not considered in previous projects. This move will enable our SMEs to continue their exploration activities, in some cases within a reasonable framework, and with full transparency, and required predictability and stability", said Mr. Philippe Cloutier, geologist and president of the Board the QMEA.

The QMEA notes that there are still aspects of the bill that need to be clarified or improved such as the establishment of a neutral arbitration mechanism neutral, that is also independent and autonomous to manage conflicts related to land use, incompatible territory definition, reduction of regulatory effects on the duration and validity of mining claims

"We look forward to working with the Minister to amend the bill and actively help to clarify some of its provisions during its study at the Parliamentary Commission. We will also seek to develop several proposals in the form of a memorandum that the Association intends to file when a particular Commission will be convened. We can already tell that this bill seems to be a step in the right direction", said Valérie Fillion, executive director of QMEA.

About Quebec's mining exploration association (QMEA)

QMEA is a professional and industrial association representing stakeholders working in the field of mineral exploration in Quebec. Founded in 1975, the Association's mission is to increase the intensity of exploration and support the development of Quebec's mining entrepreneurship. It brings together nearly 2,000 individuals and 250 corporate members from Quebec's mining industry sector. It is governed by a board of twenty people from different parts of the mining exploration sector.