ANNOUNCEMENT
MONTREAL,
Quebec, Canada,
March 30, 2009 - It is with great sadness that Richmont
Mines Inc. (�Richmont�) (TSX/NYSE Amex: RIC),
announces that Mr. Jean-Guy Rivard, founder and
Chairman of the Board of Directors died suddenly in his vacation home on
Saturday, March 28, 2009
in the morning. He was
75 years old.
Mr. Rivard
founded Richmont in 1981 with the dream of building a
profitable gold producing company. Under his leadership, Richmont
built a highly-commendable track record with the development of six producing
underground gold mines in Canada
which produced in total more than one million ounces of gold during his tenure,
formed a devoted team of more than 300 employees and maintained a solid balance
sheet that enables continued growth.
Jean-Guy was known for his
leadership, his business skills and his charisma. Most importantly, he was a
great husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all
who had a chance to know him and work with him.
Mr. Jean-Guy Rivard was also President and CEO and Chairman of Louvem Mines Inc. (�Louvem�) (TSX
Venture Exchange: LOV), a 70% owned subsidiary of Richmont.
The Board of Directors of Richmont and Louvem will announce an interim Chairman in the very near
future.
Funeral arrangements are
pending and will be announced by the family.
The Board of
Directors������������������������������������������������� The Board of Directors
Richmont Mines Inc.���������������������������������������������������� Louvem Mines Inc.
About Richmont Mines Inc.
Richmont produces gold from
its operations in Canada
and is focused on building its reserves in North
America, and has extensive experience in gold
exploration, development and mining. Since it began production in 1991, Richmont has produced more than one million ounces of gold
from its holdings in Quebec,
Ontario and
Newfoundland.
Richmont�s strategy is to cost-effectively develop
and exploit its gold mining assets, acquire properties, or develop partnerships
to expand its reserve base. Richmont routinely posts
news and other important information on its website at: www.richmont-mines.com.
- 30 -
For more information, please
contact:
Richmont Mines Inc.
Phone:
819 797-2465���������������������������������������������������� Ticker
symbol: RIC
Fax:
819 797-0166�������������������������������������������������������� Listings:
TSX/NYSE Amex
E-mail: info@richmont-mines.com��������������������������������� Web
Site: www.richmont-mines.com