Morien Announces Donkin Coal Project Environmental Assessment Decision

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2013) - Morien Resources Corp. ("Morien" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:MOX), is pleased to provide details of the former federal Minister of the Environment's environmental assessment decision for the Donkin Export Coking Coal Project, released on July 15, 2013.

The following is a verbatim excerpt from the Minister of the Environment's decision. The full decision and related documents can be viewed at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency ("CEAA") website here.

"The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, has reviewed the federal environmental assessment of the Donkin Export Coking Coal Project (the "Project") proposed by Xstrata Coal Donkin Management Limited. Pursuant to section 125 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, the environmental assessment of this project continued under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, (the former Act).

Having taken into consideration the Comprehensive Study Report and the public and Aboriginal comments filed pursuant to subsection 22(2) of the former Act, the Minister is of the opinion that:

• the Project, taking into account the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects; and
• the mitigation measures and follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study Report are appropriate for the Project.

The Minister has referred the Project back to the responsible authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada, for appropriate action under section 37 of the former Act.

The Minister requests that the responsible authorities ensure the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report. The Minister also requests that the responsible authorities implement the follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study Report, in order to determine the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate any adverse environmental effects and to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the Project."

Morien considers this decision by the federal Minister of the Environment as the passing of a major milestone for the Donkin Project, and will work diligently with other stakeholders to advance the Project in a timely manner.

About Morien

Morien is a Canadian company engaged in resource development and its principal asset is a 25% interest in the Donkin Coal Project in Nova Scotia. Morien has 49,256,240 issued and outstanding common shares and has 4,633,226 options outstanding. Further information is available at www.morienres.com.

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