Richmont Mines Reports 27.4% Increase in Revenue in the Second Quarter of 2008

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) --
Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX: RIC)(AMEX: RIC), a gold exploration,
development and production company with operations in North America,
today announced financial and operational results for its second quarter
ended June 30, 2008. Financial results are based on Canadian GAAP and
dollars are reported in Canadian currency, unless otherwise noted.

Revenue for the second quarter of 2008 was $16.2 million, a 27.4%
increase compared with $12.7 million in the second quarter of 2007. In
the 2008 quarter, 17,111 ounces of gold were sold at an average price of
US$903 (CAN$909) per ounce, compared with 16,640 ounces of gold sold in
the same period last year at an average price of US$680 (CAN$731) per
ounce. Total precious metals revenue was up $3.4 million, or 27.8%, to
$15.6 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared with $12.2 million
in the second quarter of 2007. Sales from the Island Gold Mine, which
commenced production during the fourth quarter of 2007, more than offset
the loss of gold sales from the East Amphi Mine, which was closed in
mid-2007.

Operating costs, including royalties, for the second quarter of 2008 were
$10.9 million, up from $7.1 million in the same period the prior year,
but only slightly above $10.4 million in the trailing first quarter of
2008. The increased costs in 2008 were incurred mainly at the Island Gold
Mine, which has not yet reached projected production levels. The average
cash cost of production was US$633 (CAN$638) per ounce of gold sold in
the second quarter of 2008 compared with US$692 (CAN$697) in the trailing
first quarter. The average cash cost per ounce was US$399 (CAN$429) in
the second quarter of 2007, prior to the start of commercial production
at Island Gold. The increase in the average cash cost per ounce in US
dollars when compared with the prior year period also was impacted by the
strong Canadian dollar. Costs at the Beaufor Mine decreased to US$495
(CAN$498) from US$595 (CAN$599) in the trailing first quarter on
measurably improved grade, but were above the cash cost per ounce of
US$382 (CAN$411) in last year's second quarter on lower volume and higher
mining and milling costs. As results failed to meet projected levels at
the Island Gold Mine, cash production costs remained high at US$777
(CAN$782) compared with US$803 (CAN$809) in this year's first quarter.
Included in the gold sales of the second quarter of 2007 were 4,043
ounces from the East Amphi Mine produced at a cash cost of US$453
(CAN$487) per ounce.

Exploration and project evaluation costs were $3.7 million in the second
quarter of 2008 and reflect the Company's efforts to grow its reserves.
Approximately $0.9 million in exploration costs were incurred at the
Beaufor Mine, $0.5 million at the Island Gold Mine and $1.3 million at
the Golden Wonder project in the current quarter. Moreover, an amount of
$0.9 million was included in exploration expenses as a result of a
reclassification, for fiscal planning purposes, of exploration tax
credits from previous years. During last year's second quarter,
approximately $0.5 million in exploration costs were incurred at the
Beaufor Mine, $0.1 million at the Island Gold Mine and $0.2 million at
the Valentine Lake project.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2008 were $0.04 million, compared
with net earnings of $8.8 million, or $0.36 per share, in the second
quarter of 2007, which included a $7.4 million pre-tax gain on the sale
of mining assets. Lower earnings were also attributable to higher
production cash costs and increased exploration expenses.

At June 30, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were $30.7 million, a $3.4
million increase from $27.3 million at December 31, 2007 and slightly
more than $30.0 million at March 31, 2008. Richmont Mines has no
long-term debt obligations and has working capital of $36.5 million with
only 24 million shares outstanding.

Island Gold Mine(1)

The Island Gold Mine, which began commercial production in October 2007,
is progressing at a slower pace than anticipated mainly due to a shortage
of skilled labour in the mining industry.

During the 2008 second quarter, 39,818 tonnes of ore from the Island Gold
Mine were processed at an average recovered grade of 6.57 g/t, and 8,409
ounces of gold were sold at an average price of US$895 (CAN$901) per
ounce. In the trailing first quarter of 2008, 31,688 tonnes of ore were
processed at an average recovered grade of 6.86 g/t, and 6,992 ounces of
gold were sold at an average price of US$930 (CAN$937) per ounce. The
25.7% improvement in processed tonnes reflects the Company's ongoing
efforts to advance the mine to its projected level of production.

Mr. Martin Rivard, President and CEO of Richmont Mines, commented: "While
we have made progress at the Island Gold Mine since it began production
last year, we are challenged by high labour force turnover as well as
grade levels that are slightly lower than expected. We are currently
addressing these issues and expect to have improved results by the fourth
quarter."

Beaufor Mine

During the second quarter of 2008, 29,062 tonnes of ore from the Beaufor
Mine were processed at an average recovered grade of 9.31 g/t, and 8,702
ounces of gold were sold at an average price of US$910 (CAN$917) per
ounce. In the same quarter of 2007, 39,874 tonnes of ore were processed
at an average recovered grade of 9.83 g/t, and 12,597 ounces of gold were
sold at an average price of US$675 (CAN$725) per ounce. The cash cost per
ounce was US$495 (CAN$498) during the current quarter compared with
US$382 (CAN$411) in the same quarter last year and is in line with the
Company's forecasted production cash cost of US$450 to US$500 per ounce.
During the current quarter, Richmont processed approximately 17,000
tonnes of custom milling ore at the Camflo Mill, and custom milling is
expected to increase for the remainder of 2008.

Exploration Efforts: The Company is approximately half-way through its
planned drilling program for 2008 at Beaufor and expects to report an
exploration update in the next four to six weeks. Its objective is to
identify sufficient reserves to continually replace production at this
mine and to evaluate the potential of the zones discovered last year
below the current mining infrastructures.

Golden Wonder

As recently announced, the Company has completed the portal
rehabilitation work at the Golden Wonder Project and is proceeding with
exploration efforts to identify new mineralized zones. Drilling began
this month and is expected to continue through August. Richmont has
initially planned 6 to 10 drill holes and expects to have lab results
this fall. The Company previously announced its intention to acquire a
50% joint venture interest in the project, which is owned by LKA
International (OTCBB: LKAI).

Valentine Lake Project

In May, Richmont finalized the parameters of a joint venture agreement
with Mountain Lake Resources and completed plans for the project's 2008
field work. Preliminary site work, including exploration mapping and road
and bridge construction, recently started in preparation for a potential
drilling program in 2009. Richmont has a 70% interest in the project.

Six-Month Review

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, revenue was $31.2 million,
or 35.8% above revenue of $23.0 million during the same period of 2007,
reflecting increased gold sales at higher prices. In the 2008 six-month
period, 32,106 ounces of gold were sold at an average price of US$920
(CAN$927) per ounce, compared with 29,043 ounces of gold sold in the
first half of 2007 at an average price of US$696 (CAN$748) per ounce.

Operating costs, including royalties, for the six-month period ended June
30, 2008 were $21.4 million, up $7.1 million over operating costs of
$14.3 million during the same period last year primarily due to the costs
associated with advancing the Island Gold Mine to projected production
levels. Island Gold began production during last year's fourth quarter.

Exploration and project evaluation costs were $4.8 million during the
first half of 2008, compared with $1.5 million during the same period in
2007. This increase was mainly due to the exploration program under way
at the Golden Wonder project which had exploration costs of $1.8 million
for the first half of 2008 and an amount of $0.9 million was included in
exploration expenses as a result of a reclassification, for fiscal
planning purposes, of exploration tax credits from previous years.

Net earnings were $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share, compared with net
earnings of $9.1 million, or $0.38 per share, during the six-month period
ended June 30, 2007. Last year's first half included a $7.4 million gain
on the sale of mining assets.

Island Gold Mine

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, 71,506 tonnes of ore
were processed at an average recovered grade of 6.70 g/t, and 15,401
ounces of gold were sold at an average price of US$910 (CAN$917) per
ounce. The cash cost of production per ounce was US$790 (CAN$795) during
the first half of the year as the mine produced at around 60% of its
design capacity.

Beaufor Mine

During the first half of 2008, 59,759 tonnes of ore were processed at an
average recovered grade of 8.69 g/t, and 16,705 ounces of gold were sold
at an average price of US$928 (CAN$935) per ounce. In the first half of
2007, 69,574 tonnes of ore were processed at an average recovered grade
of 8.41 g/t, and 18,808 ounces of gold were sold at an average price of
US$691 (CAN$743) per ounce. The cash cost per ounce was US$542 (CAN$546)
during the current period up from US$449 (CAN$483) in last year's
comparable period, primarily due to higher mining and milling costs as
well as the stronger Canadian dollar. Outlook

Mr. Rivard concluded: "Beaufor continues to meet production targets, and
we believe it has continued great exploration potential. We are
challenged at Island Gold due to competition for human resources, but
continually adjust to improve production results. Our exploration
programs have been expanded significantly over the years as we focus on
our strategic goal of establishing a proven and probable reserve base of
one million ounces. We are pleased that diamond drilling has finally
started at Golden Wonder and are confident it will yield favourable
results."

Martin Rivard

President and Chief Executive Officer

About Richmont Mines Inc.

Richmont Mines produces gold from its operations in Canada and has
extensive experience in gold exploration, development and mining. Since
it began production in 1991, the Company has produced more than one
million ounces of gold from its holdings in Quebec, Ontario and
Newfoundland. Richmont Mines' strategy is to cost effectively develop its
mining assets, exploit mineralized reserves on properties owned and
acquired, or develop partnerships to expand its reserve base.

More information on Richmont Mines can be found on its website at:
www.richmont-mines.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that include risks
and uncertainties. When used in this news release, the words "estimate",
"project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and
similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of
future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and apply
only as of the date on which they were made.

The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those indicated in such forward-looking statements include changes in the
prevailing price of gold, the Canadian-United States exchange rate, grade
of ore mined and unforeseen difficulties in mining operations that could
affect revenue and production costs. Other factors such as uncertainties
regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other
risks may be set out in Richmont Mines' Annual Information Form, Annual
Reports and periodic reports.

FINANCIAL DATA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three-month period Six-month period
ended June 30, ended June 30,
Can$ 2008 2007 2008 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results (in thousands of $)
Revenue 16,227 12,736 31,188 22,973
Net earnings 37 8,812 443 9,138
Cash flow from operations 1,326 4,747 3,869 8,065

Results per share ($)
Net earnings basic and
diluted - 0.36 0.02 0.38

Basic weighted average
number of common shares
outstanding (thousands) 24,030 24,219 24,042 24,231

Average selling price of
gold per ounce 909 731 927 748
Average selling price of
gold per ounce (us$) 903 680 920 696
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June 30, 2008 December 31, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial position (in
thousands of $)
Total assets 87,796 85,976
Working capital 36,543 33,970
Long-term debt - -
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SALES AND PRODUCTION DATA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three-month period ended June 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ounces of gold Cash cost
Year Sales Production (per ounce sold)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ CAN$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Island Gold Mine 2008 8,409 8,547 777 782
2007 - - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beaufor Mine 2008 8,702 10,014 495 498
2007 12,597 9,887 382 411
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East Amphi Mine 2008 - - - -
2007 4,043 4,099 453 487
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Total 2008 17,111 18,561 633 638
2007 16,640 13,986 399 429
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six-month period ended June 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ounces of gold Cash cost
Year Sales Production (per ounce sold)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$ CAN$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Island Gold Mine 2008 15,401 16,555 790 795
2007 - - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beaufor Mine 2008 16,705 20,399 542 546
2007 18,808 18,529 449 483
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East Amphi Mine 2008 - - - -
2007 10,235 9,338 474 509
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Total 2008 32,106 36,954 660 665
2007 29,043 27,867 458 492
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Average exchange rate used for 2007: US$1 equals CAN$1.0748
2008 estimated exchange rate: US$1 equals CAN$1.0072

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
$ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

REVENUE
Precious metals 15,553 12,168 29,747 21,734
Other 674 568 1,441 1,239
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16,227 12,736 31,188 22,973
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EXPENSES
Operating costs 10,551 6,951 20,648 14,016
Royalties 361 189 708 282
Custom milling 358 - 358 -
Administration 835 833 1,662 1,636
Exploration and project
evaluation 3,674 919 4,755 1,529
Accretion expense - asset
retirement obligations 43 45 86 89
Depreciation and depletion 1,434 2,302 2,639 3,933
Loss (gain) on disposal of
mining assets - (7,381) 20 (7,475)
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17,256 3,858 30,876 14,010
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EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE
OTHER ITEMS (1,029) 8,878 312 8,963

MINING AND INCOME TAXES (1,238) (184) (515) (307)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

209 9,062 827 9,270

MINORITY INTEREST 172 250 384 132
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NET EARNINGS 37 8,812 443 9,138
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NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
basic and diluted - 0.36 0.02 0.38

BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING (thousands) 24,030 24,219 24,042
24,231--------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements available on
SEDAR.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
June 30, December 31,
2008 2007
$ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) (Audited)
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 30,724 27,291
Short-term investments 774 1,826
Accounts receivable 3,377 2,859
Mining and income taxes receivable 1,903 1,677
Inventories 6,195 5,438
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42,973 39,091

ADVANCE TO A MINORITY PARTNER 1,125 1,875

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 43,698 45,010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

87,796 85,976
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LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued charges 5,906 5,005
Mining and income taxes payable 524 116
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

6,430 5,121

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS 3,444 3,358

MINORITY INTEREST 14,937 14,238

FUTURE MINING AND INCOME TAXES 1,106 1,446
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25,917 24,163
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Capital stock 60,845 61,016
Contributed surplus 5,359 5,092
Deficit (4,263) (4,647)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (62) 352
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

61,879 61,813
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87,796 85,976
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements available on
SEDAR.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
$ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
Net earnings 37 8,812 443 9,138
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and depletion 1,434 2,302 2,639 3,933
Stock-based compensation 135 159 276 282
Accretion expense - asset
retirement obligations 43 45 86 89
Loss (gain) on disposal
of mining assets - (7,381) 20 (7,451)
Foreign exchange loss (gain) - - - -
Gain on disposal of short-
term investments (7) (59) (42) (397)
Minority interest 172 250 384 132
Future mining and income
taxes (165) (316) (339) (563)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1,649 3,812 3,467 5,163

Net change in non-cash
working capital items (323) 935 402 2,902
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1,326 4,747 3,869 8,065
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOW FROM (USED IN)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Short-term investments 42 34 680 718
Disposal of mining assets 41 2,331 55 2,488
Property, plant and
equipment - Island Gold
Mine (566) 421 (1,041) (1,555)
Property, plant and
equipment - Beaufor Mine (26) (81) (106) (81)
Property, plant and
equipment - East Amphi Mine - (34) - (34)
Other property, plant and
equipment (265) 164 (535) 86
Cash received from an
advance to a minority
partner 375 375 750 375
Trust account - (2,000) - (2,000)
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(399) 1,210 (197) (3)
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CASH FLOW USED IN FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
Issue of common shares 6 5 25 183
Redemption of common shares (224) (247) (264) (333)
Contribution from a
minority partner - - - 135
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(218) (242) (239) (15)
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Effect of rate changes
on cash and cash
equivalents

Net increase in cash and
cash equivalents 709 5,715 3,433 8,047

Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 30,015 18,458 27,291 16,126
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Cash and cash equivalents,
end of period 30,724 24,173 30,724 24,173
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements available on
SEDAR.

(1) Richmont Mines reports 100% of the consolidated results of the
Island Gold Mine, in compliance with AcG-15, which stipulates that a
holder of variable interests must consolidate the accounts if it intends
to assume the majority of the expected losses and/or receive the majority
of the residual returns of the variable interest entity (VIE). Richmont
Mines holds a 55% stake in the unincorporated joint venture, and as its
share of the earnings and/or losses will differ from the percentage that
it owns, the Company is therefore considered the primary beneficiary of
the VIE.

Contacts:
Kei Advisors LLC
James Culligan
Investor Relations
716-843-3874
jculligan@keiadvisors.com
www.richmont-mines.com

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