Macarthur Minerals Ltd. Announces Strategic Investment by Rare Earth Minerals PLC

VANCOUVER - March 17, 2016 - Macarthur Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MMS) (the "Company" or "Macarthur Minerals") is pleased to announce that Rare Earth Minerals plc ("Rare Earth Minerals") has made a strategic investment in the Company. Rare Earth Minerals is a London and New York listed Investment Company which has a number of strategic investments and joint ventures in lithium and rare earth element projects around the world.

Rare Earth Minerals has entered into a subscription agreement for 15,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of CAD$0.02 per Unit ("Unit Price") offered under the Company's previously announced non- brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$300,000. The Unit Price is equal to the closing price of the Company's TSX Venture Exchange listed shares on February 3, 2016, the date the Company announced the Offering and to the Company's closing price on March 16, 2016.

Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one whole warrant to acquire a Common Share (each, a "Warrant") at an exercise price of CAD$0.05 per Common Share for a period of twelve months from the date of issuance.

The Company has obtained approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to waive the CAD$0.05 minimum pricing requirement in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange bulletin dated April 7, 2014 "Discretionary Waivers of $0.05 Minimum Pricing Requirement".

The closing of the Offering will occur after and subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including that of the TSX Venture Exchange and the approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board ("FIRB") in Australia, if required.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for working capital and to further advance the development of lithium exploration licenses, which are under application, in the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia. These licenses were applied for as a result of the desktop review carried out by CSA Global. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory 4 month plus one day hold period from the date of issuance.

Upon closing of the Offering, Rare Earth Minerals will own approximately 15.5% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares on an undiluted basis.

The Company confirms that there is no undisclosed material information.


ABOUT RARE EARTH MINERALS

Rare Earth Minerals plc is a London and New York listed Investment Company focused on creating a diverse portfolio of direct and indirect interests in lithium and rare earth element deposits. Rare Earth Minerals' investment strategy is to acquire a diverse portfolio of direct and indirect interests in exploration and development projects and assets.

Rare Earth Minerals has a significant stake in Bacanora Minerals Ltd., and has joint ventures with Bacanora which cover part of the Sonoroa Lithium Project in Northern Mexico.

Rare Earth Minerals also has an investment in European Metals Holdings Limited that owns the exploration rights to one of the most significant lithium deposits in Europe, the Cinovec Lithium Deposit. Further Rare Earth Minerals has an investment in Western Lithium USA Corp., which owns the Kings Valley Lithium Project in Nevada and the Cauchari - Olaroz Project in Argentina. Rare Earth Minerals also has strategic investments in other rare earth projects in Australia and Greenland.


ABOUT MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED (TSX VENTURE:MMS)

Macarthur Minerals Ltd. is an exploration and development company that is focused on identifying lithium and counter cyclical investments that complement Macarthur's capabilities.


On behalf of the Board of Directors, MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED

Cameron McCall
Chairman



NEITHER 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.


Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including whether the Transaction will be completed. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the current expectations, assumptions or beliefs of the Company based upon information currently available to the Company. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the timely receipt of required approvals, the reliability of information, including historical mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates, prepared and/or published by third parties that are referenced in this press release or was otherwise relied upon by the Company in preparing this press release. 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 no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct as actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in exchange rates and certain commodity prices, uncertainties related to mineral title in the project, unforeseen technology changes that results in a reduction in iron ore or lithium demand or substitution by other metals or materials, the discovery of new large low cost deposits of iron ore or lithium, uncertainty in successfully returning the project into full operation, and the general level of global economic activity. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and except as may otherwise be required pursuant to applicable laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



Contact

Macarthur Minerals Ltd.
David Taplin
Managing Director
dtaplin@macarthurminerals.com
+61 407470044
www.macarthurminerals.com