Vale Elects Not to Proceed With East Elang Property Agreement

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2016) - Southern Arc Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:SA) ("Southern Arc" or the "Company") today announced that Vale International S.A. has notified Southern Arc that it will not be proceeding with a potential joint venture at Southern Arc's East Elang property, as contemplated by the option and joint venture agreement signed by the parties on October 3, 2010.

"Southern Arc and Vale have proceeded with the best of intentions, engaging with local communities and undertaking early reconnaissance of the East Elang property," said John Proust, Chairman & CEO of Southern Arc. "Unfortunately, repeated extensions to the Indonesian forestry moratorium have continued to delay the start of exploration at this property. While we are clearly disappointed with Vale's decision, we understand the company's need to refocus its exploration dollars elsewhere."

The 9,670 hectare East Elang property is located immediately adjacent to Newmont's Elang copper-gold porphyry deposit. Southern Arc will continue to look for opportunities to advance the property and bring value to Southern Arc shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

"John Proust"

Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

About Southern Arc Minerals

Southern Arc Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold and copper-gold exploration. The Company is advancing two properties in Indonesia: West Lombok, a resource-stage property with several gold rich copper porphyry and epithermal gold vein prospects, and East Elang, a grassroots exploration property located adjacent to Newmont's Elang copper-gold deposit. Southern Arc also holds an investment in Oban Mining Corp., which is advancing the high-grade Windfall Lake Gold Project in Quebec, Canada, and has applied for 80 prospecting rights licenses in Northern Japan in an area with known gold occurrences and a history of mining. More information is available at www.southernarcminerals.com.

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

This document contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the word "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. This document contains forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining to the following: uncertainties regarding Southern Arc's portfolio of projects; uncertainties regarding Southern Arc's ability to advance the East Elang property; and the occurrence of unexpected events. Southern Arc believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct.

Contact

Southern Arc Contact:
Rhylin Bailie
Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations
Telephone: 604-609-6147
Email: info@southernarcminerals.com
www.southernarcminerals.com