Royal Nickel Advances Permitting Process for the Dumont Nickel Project

TORONTO, April 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Royal Nickel Corporation ("RNC") (TSX: RNX) is pleased to announce the publication of the Dumont Nickel Project's ("Dumont") Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") by the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks ("MDDEFP") through the agency of the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement ("BAPE"). This is an important step in the permitting process and marks the beginning of the BAPE's public information and consultation process.

"I am pleased the ESIA for Dumont has been published and look forward to the initiation of the BAPE process. RNC took a very comprehensive approach in producing the ESIA, including running a voluntary public consultation process prior to and during its preparation. We integrated the results of this consultation and the feedback from provincial regulators into the ESIA. RNC remains committed to effective communication and distribution of information as a core value in the development of Dumont," said Mark Selby, Interim President and CEO.

The next permitting step is the scheduling of a public information session as part of the BAPE process. The BAPE is a public information and consultation organization which operates under a mandate from the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks (the "Minister"). As part of the BAPE mandate, the first public information session for the Dumont project is scheduled to be held on April 16, 2014.

Following the public information session, public hearings may be requested by RNC and/or any other person, group, organization or municipality. The Minister will then make a decision to mandate public hearings under the BAPE process. Assuming public hearings for Dumont will be held, they are expected to take place in two parts. The first part would be to receive questions from the public and the second part would be for the BAPE to obtain the public's opinions and suggestions regarding the Dumont project. Public hearings under the BAPE process are expected to be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2014.

At the conclusion of the public hearings the BAPE will submit a report to the Minister, after which the Minister is expected to make a recommendation on the main permits which is anticipated before the end of the 2014.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the anticipated timeline for permitting in 2014.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of RNC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Government action is not within the control of the Company. Moreover, there are no assurances that Dumont will be placed into production. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: the actual results of development activities; project delays; inability to raise the funds necessary to achieve the milestones or complete development; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of metals; availability of alternative nickel sources or substitutes; actual nickel recovery; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, necessary permitting or in the completion of development or construction activities. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to RNC's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although RNC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and RNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Royal Nickel Corporation

Rob Buchanan, Director, Investor Relations, T: [phone], www.royalnickel.com; Mélanie Corriveau (French contact), Community Relations Coordinator, T: [phone]