Midland identifies new propective ultramafic complex and discovers new NI-CU-PGE zone on its Laflamme project

14 April 2016

Montreal, April 14, 2016. Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD) Montreal, April 14, 2016. Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD) is pleased to report the discovery of a new zone of nickel, copper and platinum group element (“Ni-Cu-PGE”) mineralization on the Laflamme project, located about 25 kilometres west of the town of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Abitibi, Quebec.

Drill holeLAF-16-38 intersected a new Ni-Cu-PGE zone with disseminated, locally semi-massive and net-textured mineralization grading 0.45% Ni, 0.33% Cu, 0.15 g/t Pt and 0.24 g/t Pd over 42.60 meters from 446.50 to 489.10 meters depth. Within this wide mineralized envelope, two zones with higher nickel and copper grades respectively yielded 1.11% Ni, 0.47% Cu, 0.21 g/t Pt and 0.79 g/t Pd over 3.50 meters from 449.00 to 452.50 meters and 0.44% Ni, 0.88% Cu, 0.21 g/t Pt and 0.27 g/t Pd over 4.05 meters from 458.95 and 463.00 meters. The mineralization is hosted in ultramafic intrusive rocks that contain variable amounts of pyrrhotite (“PO”), pentlandite (“PN”), and chalcopyrite (“CP”), mainly occurring as disseminations but locally forming semi-massive and net-textured zones.

Table 1: Assay results for drill hole LAF-16-38 (Collar: UTM Nad83 Z18: 343826E, 5454025N)

* Note: All mineralized intervals in drill holes LA-11-08 and LAF-16-38 are reported in core length and not in true thickness. Drilling completed to date is not sufficient to determine the orientation of mineralized zones..

This new mineralized zone, named “Copernick”, was intersected at a vertical depth of 425 metres and remains wide open along strike and potentially down-plunge toward the northeast. Following a borehole electromagnetic (« BHEM ») survey conducted in the discovery hole, which identified a conductor located below and to the east of drill hole LAF-16-38, a new 5,000-metre drilling campaign was undertaken.

The first drill hole of the campaign, LAF-16-39, was recently drilled about 175 metres below the mineralized zone intersected in hole LAF-16-38 and encountered strongly serpentinized ultramafic rocks over more than 100 meters core length. These strongly altered ultramafic rocks locally contain disseminated sulphides (PO-CP); assay results are pending. A BHEM survey conducted in this drill hole identified a strong off-hole conductor for which a geophysical model is in progress. In parallel with this modelling, a new drill hole (LAF-16-40) is currently under way to test the Copernick zone at a distance of 50 metres above hole LAF-16-38.

The discovery hole LAF-16-38 was drilled to follow up on a near off-hole BHEM anomaly that was detected in drill hole LA-11-08EXT and recently repositioned more accurately with further surveying. The new Copernick zone is different from the one that was intersected in drill hole LA-11-08, in which a near-surface zone, from 90.6 to 98.6 metres depth, graded 0.66% Ni, 0.35% Cu, 0.17 g/t Pt and 0.16 g/t Pd over 8.0 metres, including a higher-grade interval at 1.55% Ni, 0.53% Cu, 0.26 g/t Pt and 0.28 g/t Pd over 1.6 metres from 91.1 to 92.7 metres (see press release by Midland dated June 15, 2011). In addition to the two different mineralized zones intersected in drill holes LA-11-08 and LAF-16-38, two new strong off-hole conductors were detected in drill holes LAF-16-38 and LAF-16-39. Geophysical modelling is currently underway in order to plan the next drill hole that will test these conductors.

The ultramafic rocks that host this new discovery are part of a folded mafic to ultramafic intrusive complex extending for more than 10 kilometres in length, thus opening up excellent potential for further discoveries of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE occurrences. A ground magnetic survey and an Orevision-type induced polarization survey (6.0 km) are currently underway to cover the immediate extensions of the Copernick zone, where weak VTEM-type conductors were identified near surface along the lateral extensions.

The Laflamme property covers more than 50 kilometres of prospective stratigraphy and structures for the discovery of orogenic gold, volcanogenic massive sulphides (Cu-Zn), and magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits associated with ultramafic rocks. This property was initially acquired in 2008 based on the presence of major gold, copper and zinc anomalies in tills that were identified during the Octave project, jointly led by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (MRNF) and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC).

The Laflamme property now comprises 587 claims covering a surface area of about 328 square kilometres and is a joint venture between Midland (66%) and Aurbec Mines Inc. (34%) (“Aurbec”). Aurbec is a 50.1% subsidiary of Maudore Minerals Ltd (MAO: TSX-V) that was declared bankrupt on January 7, 2015. Deloitte Restructuring Inc. is the receiver of Aurbec.

Maps showing location of the new Copernick discovery may be consulted using the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Laflamme_April_2016.pdf

Quality control

The exploration program on the Laflamme project is conducted by Midland. The data was reviewed by Mario Masson, Vice President Exploration for Midland Exploration Inc. and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Assay samples are taken from NQ-size drill core sawn in half; one half is shipped to a commercial laboratory and the other half is kept for future reference. Assays were conducted by ALS Minerals in Vancouver, and included blanks and standards inserted in the sample stream as a quality control procedure. The attitude of the zone is not yet known and the intersection width may not be true width.

About Midland Exploration

Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold, platinum group elements, base metals and rare earth elements. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as Teck Resources Limited, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, SOQUEM INC., Japan Oil and Gas and Metals National Corporation and Aurbec Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing opportunities and projects to build up the Company portfolio and generate shareholder value.

This press release was prepared by Mario Masson, Midland’s VP Exploration, certified geologist and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. For further information, please consult Midland’s website or contact

Gino Roger, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel. : 450 420-5977
Fax : 450 420-5978
Email:info@midlandexploration.com

Website : www.explorationmidland.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland’s periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. –

Documents

MARIO MASSON, P. GEO.

V.P. Exploration

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Mario Masson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the Université de Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, Mario worked several years has a geologist at Nipadex and Muscocho. In 1990, he started working for Noranda Exploration in Matagami has a Project Geologist and was a part of the team that found the Orchan West and Bell Allars deposits. He was also involved in the discovery of the Perseverance deposit in the Matagami Mining Camp in 2000. After this discovery, Mario and his team win the PDAC Bill Dennis Award in 2001. From 2002 to 2007, he was in charge of the exploration activities in the Noranda Mining Camp has a Senior Geologist for Noranda Inc – Falconbridge ltée – Xstrata Copper. In addition, he was also involved in the discovery of the West Ansil deposit in the Noranda Mining Camp in 2005, which allowed the Falconbridge ltée exploration team to win the Prospector of the Year award at the QMEA. Since January 2008, he is a part of Midland Exploration team as VP Exploration.

Gino Roger, ing.

President,CEO, Director

Since November 1, 2006, Gino Roger has been President and CEO of Midland Exploration Inc. In 1990, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Laval University in Geological Engineering. . From May 1990 to October 2006, Mr. Roger was a senior and regional project geologist for Xstrata, Falconbridge and Noranda. He actively participated in the generation, acquisition and negotiation of a number of projects and the discovery of base metal deposits. He mainly worked in Quebec, Ontario, BC-Yukon and Sweden on different metallogenic projects and environments: gold, VMS, Sedex, MVT and IOCG. He and his team received the prestigious QMEA prospector of the year award in 2005 for the discovery of the West-Ansil deposit. Mr. Roger is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. He acted as an administrator of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) for more than 28 years and is still an administrator of CONSOREM.

Jean-Pierre Janson

Chairman of the Board

Since 2019, Jean-Pierre Janson has been a consultant for Richardson Wealth Limited. From 2005 to 2019, he was Senior Director, National Wealth Management, at Richardson GMP Limited. He has also been a director and Chairman of the Board of Midland Exploration Inc. since 2005. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Janson has served as Managing Director at CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services (Quebec) Inc. (Eastern Canada) and held executive positions at Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. and Midland Walwyn Inc. He has also been a director of Tri Origin Exploration Ltd. since May 2004 and a trustee of BTB Real Investment Trust since September 2007. In addition, he is a director of SIDEX s.e.c. and Harfang Exploration. In over 30 years in the financial services industry, he has built a reputation of trust and respect.

RENÉ BRANCHAUD

Secretary and Director

René Branchaud holds an LLB from Université Laval obtained in 1982. He has been a lawyer since 1983 and is a partner of the law firm Lavery, de Billy L.L.P. He has a vast experience as secretary and director of mining corporations.

INGRID MARTIN

Chief Financial Officer

Ingrid Martin holds a Bachelor in Business Management from the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC), in Montréal, Quebec. She is a member of the Order of Chartered professional accountants of Quebec since 1990 and possesses a vast experience as consultant for public companies. She acts, also, as Chief Financial Officer of Vior Inc. Mrs. Martin is devoting 40% of her time to Midland Exploration.

PAUL ARCHER

Director

Paul Archer has a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering and a Master’s degree in Earth Science. He has more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry, particularly in exploration for gold and base metals in Archean terrains. He developed his expertise working with various companies, including Shell Minerals, Noranda Exploration, Northgate Explorations, Westminer Canada and SOQUEM, where he was Regional Manager for Northern Quebec. On May 1, 1996, Mr. Archer joined Virginia Mines as Vice-President of Exploration and Acquisitions and Director. Mr. Archer was actively involved in the discovery and development of the Eleonore project, from the preliminary field campaign through to the sale of the deposit to Goldcorp. In November 2014, he joined Osisko’s management team following the Osisko/Virginia merger. He was elected President of the Quebec Prospectors Association in 1996 and 1997. Over the years, Mr. Archer has received, on behalf of Virginia, several prestigious prizes, including the Bill Dennis Award from the PDAC in 2006 for the discovery of the Eleonore deposit.

ANNIE DUTIL

Director

Annie Dutil is a member of the Quebec CPA Order and is Nomad’s corporate controller. Ms. Dutil brings over 15 years of extensive mining knowledge, specifically in the areas of public accounting, compliance with financial information obligations and regulatory matters. Prior to joining Nomad, Ms. Dutil has held a number of positions at PwC, including a role as director where she has led the Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services group in Montréal. In her current and previous roles, she has assisted several companies in their capital markets activities, including initial public offerings, financings, cross-border transactions and complex accounting and regulatory matters. Ms. Dutil is the co-founder of the Montreal chapter of Women in Mining and is involved in many community and philanthropic activities, currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Factry, the School of the Creative Sciences, and Théâtre de la Banquette Arrière.

Jean des Rivières

Director

Mr. Jean des Rivières holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal and a Master’s degree of Science in Geology from École Polytechnique de Montréal affiliated to the University of Montreal. He has over 35 years of diversified experience in the exploration and mining industries while working in more than 50 countries touching base and precious metals. He most recently held the position of global Vice President Metals Exploration at BHP and previously held managerial and technical positions at Rio Algom, BHP, and Noranda. With BHP, Mr des Rivières chaired the Inclusion and Diversity committee of the Americas. After a successful career, he recently joined the board of directors of First Majestic Silver Corp., Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd., and Midland Exploration Inc.

JEAN-FRANÇOIS LARIVIÈRE, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Jean-François holds a PhD from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in Mineral resources, specialist in zinc-bearing mineralization with an expertise in metallogeny of metalliferous deposits.

RICHARD ST-CYR, P. GEO.

Project geologist

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec, British Colombia and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since 2012, Richard holds a Bachelor degree in Resources Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, he was a Project Geologist for Services Technominex – Aurizon Mines, Sirios and Unigold on several gold exploration projects. Between 1997 and 2006, he worked has a Project Geologist (5 years) and Technical Director (4 years) for the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund. At the beginning of his career, Richard worked as a Prospector for SOQUEM, Virginia Gold / Barrick Gold on gold projects in James Bay and Northern Quebec. He was also involved in the exploration of the Eskay Creek discovery in British Colombia.

LOUIS-PHILIPPE RICHARD, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 10 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Louis-Philippe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Université Laval. Prior to joining the team, he worked 4 years for Nemaska Exploration / Monarch Resources / Nemaska Lithium in the Nemiscau area where he managed and participated exploration campaigns for lithium, gold and base metals. He also participated in the development of the Whabouchi lithium project.

Romain Deflin, P.Geo.

Project Geologist

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration, Romain Deflin holds a degree in geological engineering from l’ENSG (École National Supérieure de Géologie in Nancy) and a master degree in Mineral Resource Exploration from Université de Lorraine. He completed a 4 months internship with Midland before joining the team permanently in 2019.

Philippe Allard, Geo. M.Sc.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Québec, Canadian Arctic, and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since May 2019, Philippe holds a Bachelor degree in Geology and a master in Earth Sciences from UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal). Before joining Midland’s team, Philippe worked as an Exploration Geologist for Goldcorp, Ressources Sirios, Unigold and the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund (NMEF). At the beginning of his career, he also worked as an assistant geologist and a geologist for Virginia Gold Mines, Cambiex, Miramar Mining, Noranda Exploration, SOQUEM and Services Miniers du Nord on gold and base metals projects, mainly in James Bay. Moreover, he was at the origin of the discovery by prospection of the Cheechoo deposit in James Bay in 2010.

SYLVAIN TRÉPANIER, P.GEO.

Geologist Consultant

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and research in Quebec.

Sylvain Trépanier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, a Master’s degree in Earth Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Université du Québec à Montréal. Sylvain began his career for Noranda in 1995 and worked on various projects in Quebec until 2001. From 2004 to 2012, he worked has a research geologist at CONSOREM. During his years working at CONSOREM, he has carried out numerous research projects applied to mineral exploration and has developed expertise recognized in Quebec in various fields related to exploration: lake-bottom, streams and tills sediments geochemistry, alterations lithogeochemistry, statistical data processing and potential mineral evaluation by artificial intelligence. He is the author of several scientific articles, research reports and public presentations. He designed and developed the Lithomodeleur software for geochemistry treatment, which is now widely used in Quebec by exploration companies, governments and universities. From 2012 to 2016, he worked for Virginia Mines and Osisko Gold Royalties as a Senior Research Geologist and was involved in most of the company’s projects in James Bay and the Labrador Trough. He is co-recipient of the QMEA Jean-Descarreaux Award in 2011 with the CONSOREM team. Mr. Trépanier joined Midland in November 2016 as a VP Exploration James-Bay/Northern Quebec.