Canada's Ashton, Soquem Start Quebec Drilling Program

Ashton Mining of Canada Inc and its joint venture partner Soquem Inc have begun a $12 million exploration program in Quebec in a hunt for new kimberlitic material.

There will be further drilling of the principal Renard bodies and exploration for new bodies on the Foxtrot property and on the joint venture's other properties in the north-central region of the province.

Ashton explores for diamonds in remote areas of Canada, including Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Soquem is an industrial and financial holding company that undertakes economic development projects in the industrial sector in cooperation with partners and in compliance with the economic development policies of the Quebec government.