Athabasca Minerals Inc. Announces Litigation Update

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Mar 20, 2015) - Athabasca Minerals Inc. ("Athabasca" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:ABM) announced that it has received the Statement of Defence and Counterclaim of Syncrude Canada Ltd. ("Syncrude") in respect of the Corporation's dispute with Syncrude regarding approximately $620,000 in user fees and government royalties the Corporation believes are owing by Syncrude to the Corporation in respect of Gravel used by Syncrude from the Susan Lake Public Pit. In addition to denying all allegations in the Corporation's Statement of Claim, Syncrude has brought several counterclaims against the Corporation and is seeking damages in excess of $68,000,000 (the "Counterclaim").

The Corporation intends to pursue the claims set out in its Statement of Claim. The Corporation considers the Counterclaim to be without merit and will vigorously defend all of the alleged claims in the Counterclaim.

About Athabasca Minerals

The Corporation is a resource company involved in the management, exploration and development of aggregate projects. These activities include contracts works, aggregate pit management, aggregate production and sales from corporate-owned pits, new aggregate development and acquisitions of sand and gravel operations. The Corporation also has industrial mineral land holdings for the purpose of locating and developing sources of industrial minerals and aggregates essential to high growth economic development.

Neither the TSX Venture nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Corporation. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The securities of Athabasca have not been, nor will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.