The Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) Reiterates Proposal for a Committee to Develop Mineral Resources in Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 1, 2011) - The Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) is reiterating its request for the Quebec government to create a Committee to Develop Mineral Resources in Quebec (Commission de Valorisation de la Ressource Minérale du Québec, CVRMQ).

Last week, the AEMQ issued a recommendation to the National Assembly of Quebec that it considers fair and innovative for the purpose of reforming the Quebec Mining Act.

In submitting its brief on Bill 14 (An Act respecting the development of mineral resources in keeping with the principles of sustainable development), the Association proposed that the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy and Natural Resources consider implementing a fair Mining Act reform.

The Association requested that section 104.2 be immediately removed from the bill, which continues to apply retroactively and which could potentially lead to losses of $1 billion in current and cumulative mineral exploration investments. The Association clearly illustrated in its brief that Bill 14 is an exceptional one that applies retroactive clauses and that still harms hundreds of mineral exploration SMEs in Quebec.

The AEMQ is pleased that most groups that have submitted briefs do not challenge the key role the state must continue to play in mineral resource management and that several of them have mentioned a need to create a neutral and transparent "central body" to efficiently manage resources and arbitrate conflicts.

The Association believes that transferring responsibility for applying and enforcing the Mining Act to an arm's-length third party would be consistent with the spirit of sustainable development in Quebec, as opposed to the bill's clauses that would make 1,200 different entities responsible for assessing the geologic potential, province-wide economic impacts,and the environmental mitigation measures that would be required for all future development projects.

The AEMQ also hails the openness of the Minister who publicly stated that he was prepared to consider amendments to Bill 14. The AEMQ is at the Minister's disposal to discuss such amendments and even to facilitate setting up the Committee in association with Quebec's Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (department of natural resources and wildlife).

"If Quebec was able to use innovation more than 30 years ago for the development of our agricultural land, we can do it again today for our mineral resources. Wouldn't providing fair conflict arbitration and offering a permanent communication mechanism to all related parties be a great way of applying our sustainable development principles, while respecting our rights?" said Valérie Fillion, the Association's Executive Director.

About the Québec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ)

The Québec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) is a non-profit professional and industry association incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act. The AEMQ represents the key stakeholders involved in the field of mineral exploration in Québec. The AEMQ was founded in 1975 to reflect the will of mineral explorationists in Québec (prospectors, geologists, geophysicists, contractors, developers, exploration managers) to stimulate exploration and foster the development of mining entrepreneurship in Québec. The AEMQ brings together more than 1,500 individual members (prospectors, geologists, geophysicists, brokers, tax experts, lawyers, etc.) and over 200 corporate members (junior and major mining exploration companies, engineering firms specializing in geology and geophysics, drilling companies, services companies, equipment manufacturers, etc.). It is headed by a board of twenty directors, each representing a different segment of the mineral exploration industry.

The Association's President is Ghislain Poirier (Stornoway Diamond Corporation), who is supported by François Bouchard (Osisko Mining Corporation), Tony Brisson (Cogitore Resources Inc.), Martin Demers (Aurizon Mines Ltd.), Mélissa Desrochers (TMR Communications), Pierre-Philippe Dupont (Royal Nickel Corporation), Marco Gagnon (Adventure Gold), Robert Gagnon (ExploLab), Jean Girard (Alexis Minerals Corporation), Guy Gosselin (Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.), Gérard Houle (Les Pierres du Nord), Marcel H. Jolicoeur (GENIVAR), Robert Kitchen (Cree Nation of Nemaska), Marc L'Heureux (Vior), Jean-Marc Lulin (Azimut Exploration Inc.), Frank Mariage (Miller Thomson Pouliot SENCRL/LLP), Jean-François Ouellette (Services Techniques Géonordic), Gino Roger (Midland Exploration), Mathieu Savard (Virginia Mines) and André Vachon (Roche).

The AEMQ's head office is located at 132 Lac Avenue, Suite 203, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, J9X 4N5

For more information, visit the AEMQ website at http://www.aemq.org/english/index.asp.