TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 7, 2013) - CHAMPION IRON MINES LIMITED (TSX:CHM)(OTCQX:CPMNF)(FRANKFURT:P02) ("Champion" or the "Company") is pleased to comment on today's announcement by the Quebec Government Economic Policy regarding the initiation of a pre-feasibility study for a third railway to transport iron ore from the Labrador Trough.

The announcement by the Quebec Government is as follows:

"As part of a vision for responsible development of northern infrastructures that are essential to ensuring the economic and social development of the northern territory.

The government is completing them, while ensuring the risk is shared among all the partners in question. The government will include the First Nations and Inuit in discussions concerning the North for all.

As part of Québec's Economic Policy - Putting Jobs First, the government has announced investments including the following, a Pre-Feasibility study regarding the construction of a new railway link.

The government is aware of the special issues related to the development of the Cote-Nord and to the importance of preparing Québec for the rapid growth of markets.

This is why the government will finance a pre-feasibility study on building a third railway link to transport ore from the Labrador Trough. The desired characteristics of the line will be specified to be able to invite private investors to finance the project.

Funds totalling up to $20 million have been set aside for this study within the Fonds du développement nordique, which will mobilize various stakeholders for the development of a public infrastructure or its equivalent, ensuring free access at advantageous costs to interested users."

Tom Larsen, Champion Iron Mines' President and CEO commented, "Champion is extremely pleased that the Quebec government is going forward with the pre-feasibility of a third rail link to transport iron ore from the Labrador Trough by committing up to $20 million to complete a rail pre-feasibility study. This will help to demonstrate a cost-effective solution for iron ore developers to transport ore to the Port of Sept-Îles. Not only is this decision beneficial for iron ore developers such as Champion, and others but also for the economy of Quebec, the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam First Nation, other local communities and the Port of Sept-Îles. My belief is that this type of message will further attract foreign investment that is essential to turn the Labrador Trough into a more cost efficient iron ore centre."