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MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 25, 2011) - Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX:RIC)(NYSE Amex:RIC) ("Richmont" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received a payment of CAN$3,000,000 from Mountain Lake Resources Inc. (TSX Venture: MOA) ("Mountain Lake") required to fulfill all of the conditions set out in the Letter Agreement (the "Letter Agreement"), signed in February 2009, that gave Mountain Lake the option to acquire Richmont's 70% interest in the Valentine Lake property (the "Property"), located in Newfoundland.


In accordance with the terms set out in the Letter Agreement, Mountain Lake paid Richmont an option fee of 2,500,000 of its common shares in April 2009, has incurred an amount of CAN$1,000,000 of exploration and development expenditures on the Property, and paid Richmont a sum of CAN$3,000,000 in cash on January 24, 2011 to satisfy the cash option payments set out in the Letter Agreement. With all conditions met, Richmont has proceeded with the transfer of its 70% interest in the Property to Mountain Lake.



About Richmont Mines Inc.



The Company has produced over 1.2 million ounces of gold from its operations in Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland since beginning production in 1991. With extensive experience in gold exploration, development and mining, the Company is well positioned to cost-effectively build its North American reserve base through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Richmont routinely posts news and other important information on its website (http://www.richmont-mines.com/">www.richmont-mines.com).