Graphite One Produces Minimum 99.98+%Cg U.S.-Sourced STAX Graphite Concentrate

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 17, 2016) - Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:GPH)(OTCQX:GPHOF) ("Graphite One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first three phases of its five phase exploratory Product Development Program to produce carbon-coated spherical graphite, achieving a minimum purity level of 99.98+% Cg in three samples totaling 3,000g. The graphite purity from all runs exceeds the threshold requirement of 99.95% Cg for preparing spherical graphite and was assessed by assaying for both impurity and graphite content.

The test work used STAX graphite - the acronym for graphite that is Spheroidal, Thin, Aggregate and eXpanded -- sourced from the Company's Graphite Creek deposit near Nome, Alaska.

• Product Development Test Work Confirms Anticipated Purity Levels for STAX graphite
• Spheroidization, Coating and Coin Cell Production Remain on Track

The Graphite Creek exploratory Product Development Program is segmented into 5 phases, and is focused on generating preliminary materials performance data related to graphite concentrate purification, milling, spheroidizing, and coating as well as establishing the electrochemistry of the coated spherical graphite finished product. Sample material is being produced with the goal of providing it for potential end-user evaluation. Spherical graphite is used mainly in lithium-ion batteries, the main demand-driver being electrical and hybrid vehicles.

"From the time we identified the unique mineralization of our STAX graphite, we've observed a number of potential performance advantages," said Anthony Huston, CEO of Graphite One. "Now, with the first three phases of our product development program complete, we have been able to validate the assumptions we made in terms of the purity we could achieve. We look forward to the results of the remaining phases."

Five Phases of Exploratory Product Development

In October 2015, Graphite One engaged TRU Group Inc. to undertake all tasks and activities related to a preliminary economic analysis of the Graphite Creek project. In that context, TRU initiated two product testwork programs:

• An exploratory Product Development Program that will provide an initial baseline for, and insights into, the purification and processing characteristics of the STAX graphite and the potential quality of its coated spherical graphite product.
• A Mineral Processing and Product Development Program to standards that satisfy the requirements for a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) that will incorporate findings from the exploratory investigations.

The first three phases of the Product Development work, now completed, are:

• In Phase 1, a 300g trial sample of the graphite concentrate was tested for air milling characteristics. Results indicate that much lower (2/3 less) air pressure is required to achieve size reduction in STAX graphite than what is typically observed for conventional flake graphite. This observation was consistent with performance advantages that were previously projected but unproven for STAX graphite. 
  
  
• In Phase 2, the 300g trial sample from Phase 1 was purified to 99.99+%Cg by non-acid methods at a U.S.-based purification facility and the results independently verified. 
  
  
• In Phase 3, an air milled 2,400g trial sample and a 300g unmilled trial sample were each given the same purification treatment as the sample in Phase 2 and the results were independently verified as achieving a graphite purity of 99.98+%Cg and 99.99+%Cg, respectively.
  
  
• The graphite purity from all runs exceeds the threshold purity requirement of 99.95% Cg for preparing spherical graphite. The product purity was assessed by assaying for both impurity content and graphite content.
  
  

With the first three phases completed, the Company is proceeding to Phase 4 where the purified graphite will be spheroidized, classified and coated, in order to provide product samples and additional information on the milling characteristics and spheroidization yields.

Phase 5 will be dedicated to manufacturing coin cells, generating electrochemical performance data for the coin cells (coated spherical graphite) and demonstrating the potential reversible capacity of the coated spherical graphite product in relation to the theoretical maximum for graphite. This will provide a preliminary assessment of the spherical graphite quality and performance benchmark as anode material.

Mineral Processing and Second Stage Product Development

In parallel to this product development work, mineral processing test work is underway to validate the mineral processing flowsheet for the Graphite Creek project, including the generation of 5 kg of high-purity concentrate. 

This part of the program is being executed at another U.S.-based mineral processing facility over a three-month period with completion currently scheduled for the end of May 2016. Upon completion of this stage of work, the graphite concentrate will be purified and processed into coated spherical graphite. Product samples including coated spherical graphite finished product will be manufactured into coin cells for electrochemical performance assessment and will incorporate findings from the exploratory program. 

The results from mineral processing and second stage product development will form the (validated) basis for the Graphite Creek PEA.

About Graphite One

Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:GPH)(OTCQX:GPHOF) is exploring with the intent to develop the Graphite Creek Project, USA's largest known large flake graphite deposit situated on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska about 60 kilometers north of Nome. The Graphite Creek Project is progressing from the exploration to the evaluation phase. Work to date has identified a large, high grade and at-surface resource with simple geology and good mineralization continuity. For more information please see www.graphiteoneresources.com. 

Mr. David Hembree, C.P. Geol., General Manager Operations for Graphite One and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, is responsible for and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Anthony Huston

For more information on Graphite One Resources Inc. please visit the Company's website, www.GraphiteOneResources.com.

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

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the actual ability to produce spherical graphite, ultimate results of the test-work, the anticipated progress of both the TRU Group and Graphite One during 2016, the anticipated process and plans of Phase 4 and Phase 5 in the product development work, the anticipated process and plans for the mineral processing and second stage product development, the timing and successful completion of the PEA, the results of the TRU Group's study being accurate regarding the characteristics of the Graphite Creek mineralization, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, the sustainability and ultimate environmental effects of spherical graphite, are all forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the results of the product development test work may not be indicative of the advancement of the project as anticipated, or at all, market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Contact

Graphite One Resources Inc.
Anthony Huston
CEO, President & Director
(604) 889-4251
AnthonyH@GraphiteOneResources.com

Investor Relations Contact
1-604-684-6730
GPH@kincommunications.com