Normiska Corporation Signs Letter of Intent December 19, 2000 MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- Normiska Corporation (CDNX - NCO) is pleased to announce the signing of a letter of intent with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. This letter outlines a proposed option arrangement respecting mineral rights found on approximately 480,000 acres of private lands owned by Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. in the Thunder Bay region. The properties consist of eight blocks. Please see . The letter of intent outlines the major terms of a ten-year option arrangement (extendable for an additional 3 years) to explore these mineral lands that management believes are prospective for precious metals particularly platinum and palladium. The land is situated in the vicinity of the North American Palladium Ltd. Lac Des Iles Mine that lies approximately 20 km. to the north of block 3 (see ). Owing to its history as freehold land very little information is found in the public domain. The proposed option arrangement is conditional on negotiation and execution of a legally binding definitive agreement between Normiska and Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. Normiska intends to structure the deal in a way that maximizes value for the Normiska shareholders. A subsidiary company named Nearco Minerals Inc. has been formed to act as a separately managed and self-financing company to hold the mineral rights and manage the lease agreements, subject to the completion of a definitive agreement with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and the consent of Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. to this structure. Normiska Corporation will study the possibility of qualifying Nearco's shares for trading on a public exchange upon clearance by the appropriate regulatory bodies. Derek Bartlett, past manager of Goldfields Canada, has been named President, CEO and director. Hugh Harbinson will act as Chairman of the Board and director. John Arnold and David Graham will act as directors. Mr. Bartlett has over 25 years mineral exploration experience with a variety of major and junior mining corporations. Mr. Harbinson has over 25 years of experience in the financing and development of several mining companies including Queenston Mining Inc. and Joutel resources Inc. (merged to create Thundermin Resources Inc.). Mr. Bartlett is currently assembling his team and has begun the initial evaluation of the properties. Terms of the letter include escalating payments totaling $125,000 in year 1, peaking at $500,000 in year ten for an aggregate option payment total of $3,150,000. Under the terms of the letter of intent Nearco would have the right to earn up to 100% of the mineral rights subject to a royalty of 2.5%, subject to the right of Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. to retain a 30% interest on certain terms and conditions. Mr. Bartlett states that, "I am very pleased to build a company of such high potential. There is very little organized exploration of these lands, certainly not in the public domain. These are very well positioned lands in relation to the North American Paladium Ltd., platinum group element open pit mine located 20 km to the north of block 3 (see ). The geological environment is right for platinum group element exploration." David Graham, President and CEO of Normiska Corporation said that, "It is a very exciting development to launch such a high potential project. The challenge has been how to structure the opportunity to the advantage of the shareholders at Normiska Corporation while maintaining a strict focus on our core business. This plan gives us a way of rewarding our shareholders while keeping management fully occupied with Normiska's tremendous growth. I feel confident that Derek Bartlett will put together a top notch team at Nearco Minerals and that success will follow." Normiska's core business is the production and manufacturing of horticultural materials for sale to North American horticultural markets. Normiska operates production facilities in Lachine, Quebec and Fort Frances, Ontario. These operations supply markets in the continental northeast and the U.S. Midwest, respectively. Normiska is a rapidly developing company that has identified high growth opportunities in the horticultural sector. Normiska's high quality products are used in landscaping, golf course construction, nurseries and greenhouses. Please visit Normiska at www.normiska.com Normiska has 6,352,202 common shares issued and outstanding. WATCH US GROW! FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: John M. Arnold, Chairman and CFO David Graham, President and CEO (905) 212-9555 (905) 212-9526 (FAX) e-mail: normisk1@on.aibn.com No securities exchange has approved nor disapproved of this news release.