The Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) Will Be Hosting a Convention for Industry Stakeholders With Mr. Regis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City, as Honorary President

ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - April 5, 2012) - The Quebec Mining Exploration Convention, organized by the AEMQ, unites prospectors, geologists, investors, suppliers, lecturers and future graduates at the Château Frontenac, in Québec, from November 19 - 22, 2012.

The AEMQ is relying on its knowledge of the sector to organize an annual modern and key Convention that reflects the realities of mineral exploration within a contemporary Quebec and targets the main stakeholders of the mining exploration industry. The AEMQ Convention welcomes recognized lecturers, offers an adaptive content based on the needs and concerns of the members and most importantly, favours the implementation of an environment more favourable to business development. There will be more than 2,500 participants, approximately one hundred exhibits and more than 40 lecturers are expected.

Mr. Régis Labeaume, former President of the AEMQ, will be Honorary President

The mayor of Québec City, Mr. Régis Labeaume, chose to associate himself to this convention as Honorary President, a nomination with particular significance as he was President of the Association in 1987 and 1988.

«This meeting is a significant event in the evolution of our mineral resource development. The last period was not very eventful in general, but today, prospectors, geologists, explorers, producers and investors remain united with the confidence that the Quebec mining industry will do everything in its power to remain a world reference for exploration and development. The 2012 Convention will be further proof of the liveliness of the players in this sector and I am truly proud to be associated with it", stated Mr. Labeaume, who will be a keynote speaker during the convention.

Program innovations

Based on its lengthy expertise in organizing conventions, the AEMQ is proposing a renewed formula offering participants unprecedented opportunities: continuous training sessions recognized by the Ordre des géologues du Québec, workshops and economic and geosciences conferences, as well as a lunch conference with Mr. Michael Sabia, President of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, among other activities.

Well-renowned lecturers, some from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United-States, will show their support for the convention which, for the first time, is highlighting the priorities of the industry in terms of sustainable development while highlighting scientific progress within reach of developers.

«The AEMQ's mission is to promote sustainable and responsible exploration of mineral resources in Quebec and their main contribution to the Quebec economy and the 2012 edition of the convention will allow our industry to maintain a leadership position in terms of developing mineral resources», stated Mrs. Valérie Fillion, General Manager of the Association.

The convention will welcome university students looking for employment at the job bank. The applications collected will be made available to participants during the event, an initiative created to meet the growing need for manpower in the industry.

Information on the preliminary program, accommodations during the convention as well as the participants who have confirmed their attendance are available on the AEMQ's website in the section devoted to the event: congresaemq.ca.

About the Quebec Mining Exploration Association (AEMQ)

The Quebec Mining Exploration Association (AEMQ) is a non-profit economic and industry association founded in 1975. It represents prospectors, geologists, geophysicists, entrepreneurs, developers, and other players in Quebec's mining exploration field. AEMQ's mission is to contribute increased geo-scientific knowledge of Quebec's mineral potential, to develop sustainable and responsible mineral exploration and support the expansion of Quebec's mining entrepreneurship. AEMQ has over 2172 individual members (prospectors, geologists, geophysicists, brokers, tax experts, lawyers, etc.) and over 234 corporate members (major and minor mining exploration companies, geological and geophysical engineering consultancy firms, drilling companies, service providers, equipment manufacturers, etc.).

AEMQ is managed by a board of directors and 20 members representing different aspects of mining exploration in Quebec. AEMQ's headquarters are located at 132, avenue du Lac, Suite 203, Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec) J9X 4N5. For further information, please consult the AEMQ website at www.aemq.org