May 20, 2015 – Vancouver, BC – Southern Arc Minerals (TSX-V: SA) (“Southern Arc” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has applied for 38 exploration licenses in Northern Japan, in an area of known gold occurrences.

Further to its diversification strategy announced in December 2012, Southern Arc has been searching for resource exploration and investment opportunities in stable jurisdictions. Japan hosts one of the world’s highest grade gold mines, the Hishikari Mine, which has produced since 1985 with grades averaging 40 g/t gold. Despite a history of significant production, with many million-plus-ounce deposits with good gold and silver grades, the region is regarded as largely underexplored.

Based on a desktop review of historical gold production and Japan’s extensive geoscientific database, Southern Arc has applied for exploration licenses through its newly formed subsidiary, Southern Arc Minerals Japan Inc. (“SAMJ”). SAMJ has lodged 38 contiguous exploration applications in northern Hokkaido targeting high-grade epithermal gold deposits.

“Japan has a strong history of gold production and an extensive, detailed geoscientific database that has allowed us to pinpoint areas that are very compelling from a geological perspective,” said Dr. Mike Andrews, President and Chief Operating Officer of Southern Arc. “We are working closely with mining consultants and the Japanese regulators and look forward to commencing exploration once the licenses are granted.”

“Applying for exploration licenses in Japan is consistent with Southern Arc’s strategy of identifying underexplored and overlooked prospective areas and moving quickly to control large parcels of prospective land,” said John Proust, Chairman and CEO of Southern Arc. “With a well-established regulatory framework and easy access to government officials, Japan provides a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction that fits well with Southern Arc’s diversification strategy.”

On behalf of the Board of Southern Arc Minerals Inc.

“John Proust”
Chairman & CEO, Director

About Southern Arc

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 that will be advanced in partnership with Vale International SA. Southern Arc also owns 26% of Eagle Hill Exploration, which is advancing the high-grade Windfall Lake Gold Project in Quebec, Canada. More information is available at www.southernarcminerals.com.

Southern Arc Contact

Rhylin Bailie
Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations
Phone: 604-609-6147
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the company's capability to execute and implement future plans. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.