Virginia Mines, Canadian Royalties and Azimut Exploration are participating in the Fonds Explor-Action Nunavik (FRAN), which was created to rehabilitate mineral exploration sites in Northern Quebec that have been abandoned for several decades. FRAN is a partnership between the Quebec Government, the mining industry and the Inuit community. The fund will allow, starting this year, the cleanup and rehabilitation of abandoned sites. According to previous studies, nearly 600 sites have been identified, of which 18 are considered a priority.  Work has already started on several of the 18 priority sites.

Virginia, Canadian Royalties and Azimut participated in the creation of FRAN and are making a financial contribution toward rehabilitating abandoned sites. Following the creation of FRAN in March 2007, more than 30 companies from the mining sector confirmed their financial participation for a total of more than C$1.5 million. Virginia, Canadian Royalties and Azimut have respectively contributed C$100,000, C$100,000 and C$50,000. In addition, Canadian Royalties will continue clean up work of sites abandoned by previous explorers at its Nunavik nickel project.