TSX Venture Exchange Announces its 2010 TSX Venture 50

50 Emerging Companies Recognized as Rising Stars

TORONTO , Feb. 5 /CNW/ - TSX Venture Exchange today announced the 2010 TSX Venture 50; a ranking of strong performers listed on TSX Venture Exchange. These emerging companies have proven themselves to be the rising stars of Canada's public markets. The 50 companies delivered an average return of 410% in 2009.

"The 2010 TSX Venture 50 companies have an impressive track record," said John McCoach, President, TSX Venture Exchange. "We are pleased to offer a unique market that facilitates and encourages emerging companies to meet their goals."

The 2010 TSX Venture 50 is comprised of 10 companies from each of five industry sectors - Clean Technology, Diversified Industries, Mining, Oil & Gas and Technology and Life Sciences. They were selected based on four equally weighted criteria: return on investment, trading activity, analyst coverage and market capitalization growth.

This year's top ranked company is Romarco Minerals Inc. (R), a Toronto-based mining company.

The top companies from the five industry sectors are:

    
    Mining:                     Romarco Minerals Inc. (R)
    Clean Tech:                 BioExx Specialty Proteins Ltd. (formerly Bio-
                                Extraction Inc.) (BXI)
    Diversified Industries:     AeroMechanical Services Ltd. (AMA)
    Oil & Gas:                  Southern Pacific Resources Corp. (STP)
    Technology/Life Sciences:   Sensio Technologies Inc. (SIO)

    The 2010 TSX Venture 50 companies are:

    Clean Technology:                    Diversified Industries:

    BioExx Specialty Proteins Ltd.       AeroMechanical Services Ltd. (AMA)
    (formerly Bio-Extraction Inc.)
    (BXI)
    Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc.  Leisure Canada Inc. (LCN)
    (WEE)
    Sustainable Energy Technologies      Lakeside Steel Inc. (LS)
    Ltd. (STG)
    Western Wind Energy Corp. (WND)      Energold Drilling Corp. (EGD)
    Sierra Geothermal Power Corp. (SRA)  Quizam Media Corporation (QQ)
    Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. (NGP)   iLOOKABOUT Corp.(ILA)
    SmartCool Systems Inc. (SSC)         Cathay Forest Products Corp. (CFZ)
    Alternative Fuel Systems (2004)      Cervus Equipment Corporation (CVL)
    Inc. (AFX)
    Catch The Wind Ltd. (CTW.S)          Sylogist Ltd. (SYZ)
    ENPAR Technologies Inc. (ENP)        Paragon Pharmacies Limited (PGN)

    Mining:                              Oil & Gas:
    Romarco Minerals Inc.                Southern Pacific Resources Corp.
    (R)                                  (STP)
    East Asia Minerals Corporation       Vast Exploration Inc. (VST)
    (EAS)
    Terrane Metals Corp. (TRX)           Universal Power Corp. (UNX)
    Underworld Resources Inc. (UW)       Ithaca Energy Inc. (IAE)
    Western Lithium Corporation (WLC)    Result Energy Inc. (RTE)
    Evolving Gold Corp. (EVG)            Eaglewood Energy Inc. (EWD)
    Explor Resources Inc. (EXS)          Sterling Resources Ltd. (SLG)
    Luna Gold Corp. (LGC)                Sea Dragon Energy Inc. (SDX)
    Lithium One Inc. (LI)                Coastal Energy Company (CEN)
    Rare Element Resources Ltd. (RES)    Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd. (PPY.A)

    Technology/ Life Sciences:

    Sensio Technologies Inc. (SIO)
    Medicago Inc. (MDG)
    ALDA Pharmaceuticals Corp. (APH)
    EnWave Corporation (ENW)
    TransGaming Inc. (TNG)
    Opsens Inc. (OPS)
    D-Box Technologies Inc. (DBO.A)
    Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (NTB)
    Diagnos Inc. (ADK)
    QHR Technologies Inc. (QHR)
    

All TSX Venture 50 companies were additionally required to meet the following criteria: they must have been listed on TSX Venture Exchange (not NEX) on December 31, 2009 ; have market capitalization greater than C$5 million on December 31, 2009 ; have a closing share price greater than C$0.25 on December 31, 2009 ; have a share price of at least C$0.10 on December 31, 2008 and must have been listed on TSX Venture Exchange for more than one year as of December 31, 2009 .

TSX Venture 50 Spotlight

An event for the TSX Venture 50 and members of the investment community will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the TMX Broadcast Centre. TSX Venture 50 companies will be presented to an audience including portfolio managers, investment bankers, research analysts and investment advisors. The event will feature award presentations, Q&A sessions and speaking opportunities, and will conclude with a networking reception.

    
    TSX Venture 50 Spotlight
    Tuesday, March 30, 2010
    1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
    TMX Broadcast Centre Gallery
    130 King Street West
    Toronto, Ontario
    

About TMX Group (TSX-X)

TMX Group's key subsidiaries operate cash and derivative markets for multiple asset classes including equities, fixed income and energy. Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Montreal Exchange, Natural Gas Exchange, Boston Options Exchange (BOX), Shorcan, Equicom and other TMX Group companies provide trading markets, clearing facilities, data products and other services to the global financial community. TMX Group is headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal , Calgary and Vancouver . For more information about TMX Group, visit our website at www.tmx.com.

For further information: Carolyn Quick, Director, Corporate Communications, TMX Group, [phone], [email protected]