SIDEX and the SDBJ Mining Fund Join Forces to Launch “DRILLING JAMES BAY 2019”

A new financing initiative for drilling on Québec’s James Bay territory for junior mining companies

Montréal, December 3, 2019 – SIDEX and Mining Investment Fund SDBJ (“SDBJ”) have joined forces to launch DRILLING JAMES BAY 2019, a new initiative designed to encourage junior mining companies to test new drilling targets on Québec’s James Bay territory during winter 2019, while at the same time supporting their working capital.

The $1-million initiative is available for a limited time and is open to all companies with a drilling project on Québec’s James Bay territory, provided it is consistent with the missions of SIDEX and SDBJ.

Designed for drilling expenses, DRILLING JAMES BAY 2019 offers financing of up to $200,000 per company, i.e. $100,000 for exploration and up to $100,000 in working capital. SIDEX and SDBJ will favour equity financing based on market conditions.

Michel Champagne, President and CEO of SIDEX, commented: “We are pleased to launch this new initiative with SDBJ to accelerate the emergence of new mineral discoveries on the James Bay territory of Québec”.

Raymond Thibault, CEO of SDBJ, added: “Thanks to this new collaboration, we further demonstrate our commitment to increasing the mineral resources of the James Bay region”.

Eligibility conditions

In order to qualify for financing, companies must meet certain criteria, among others:

• Be listed on the TSX-V or TSX;
• Have no working capital deficiency at the time of application;
• Have a sustainable development policy in place;
• Have an independent board of directors (as per Regulation 52-110 of the Securities Act);
• Have administrative expenses that are in line with the company’s size;
• Work will need to be performed by a member in good standing with the Ordre des géologues du Québec or the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec; and
• COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO CLOSE A MINIMUM FINANCING OF $400,000, INCLUDING SIDEX’S AND SDBJ’S PRIVATE PLACEMENTS, OF WHICH AT LEAST $300,000 WILL BE DEDICATED TO DRILLING, PREFERABLY ON NEW TARGETS.

Interested eligible companies are invited to submit an application containing the required information. Complete files will be processed in order of date of receipt and accepted until March 15, 2019 or until the $1-million budget is exhausted. SIDEX and SDBJ will base their decision on the technical quality of the projects and the strategy of the management team. A due diligence and approval process has been put in place to speed up the investments.

The proposed exploration program must be completed before the end of April, 2019 and a summary of the work performed and a statement of expenses sent to SIDEX by June 30, 2019.
Applicants will be charged a 4% application fee, which includes preparation of the legal documentation by SIDEX and SDBJ.
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INFORMATION SHEET

HOW TO OBTAIN FINANCING
“DRILLING JAMES BAY 2019”

The following documents must be submitted along with the application.

Pre-investment

Company-related:

• A copy of the company’s sustainable development policy
• Documents on the company’s current financial situation:
  • Last quarter
  • Confirmation of positive working capital on the date of application and description of any type of obligation in respect of exploration expenses and payments to maintain an interest in the company’s properties in 2019
• Evaluation of the board of director’s independence in the information circular

Project-related:

• Summary report on the project, including:
  • Brief background
  • Property rights
  • Exploration drilling program (excluding definition drilling) and objectives
  • Budget

Post-investment, due by June 30, 2019

The work contemplated by the financing must be completed by April 30, 2019 and a summary report submitted by June 30, 2019 containing:

• A description of the work performed
• A statement of expenses (at least $300,000 for a drilling campaign)

About SIDEX

Created in 2001, SIDEX is an initiative of the Québec government and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ whose mission is to invest in companies engaged in mineral exploration in Québec in order to diversify the province’s mineral base. SIDEX promotes new entrepreneurs and innovation in exploration and has invested more than $90 million to date in mineral exploration companies and their projects in Québec.

About the SDBJ Mining Investment Fund

Established in 1971 under the James Bay Region Development Act, SDBJ’s mission is to promote economic development and the development and exploitation of natural resources in the James Bay territory, other than hydro-electric resources falling within Hydro-Québec’s mandate, with a view to sustainable development. The SDBJ may generate, support and carry out projects in the pursuit of those objectives.

Information for media representatives only:

Michel Champagne
President and CEO
SIDEX
Telephone: 514 383-2612
Email: mchampagne@sidex.ca
www.sidex.ca

Pierre Folco, P.Geo.
Mining Investment Fund Manager
SDBJ
Telephone: 418 748-7777, ext. 5222
Email: pierre.folco@sdbj.gouv.qc.ca
SDBJ