THE QUÉBEC MINING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THE REQUEST OF COALITION PLEIN GAZ AU NORD AND CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS

11/08/2015

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Québec City, August 11, 2015 – The Québec Mining Association (QMA) supports the request made by Coalition Plein gaz au Nord and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), which would like to see the government issue the authorizations needed to conduct work to confirm the natural gas potential of Pétrolia's Bourque project. If the resources are confirmed, and eventually extracted, a supply of natural gas would become available for the Côte-Nord region in particular, giving mining companies access to a less costly, less polluting energy source in place of oil.

"Considering that energy accounts for almost 30% of operating costs of mining companies, the use of natural gas represents a significant economic solution while also reducing GHG emissions. Obviously, it needs to be available," says Josée Méthot, the QMA president and CEO. "Until now, only a few active mining companies have been able to use natural gas in their operations, given the lack of a supply network or the cost of converting their facilities."

In the view of the QMA, increased availability and access to natural gas will also attract new economic players to Québec, leading to the development of new industries. "The development opportunities for the natural gas sector in Québec in connection with mining operations are real, but supply is still a challenge. This is clearly a major issue if we are to increase Québec's competitiveness as a mining jurisdiction," concludes Ms. Méthot. "Improved access to natural gas would be beneficial not only for the mining sector, but also for Québec as a whole."

About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 45,000 high-quality jobs and $3.2 billion in investment generated by Québec’s mining industry over the last year. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and play a role in the development of a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.