Nemaska Exploration Produces Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate From Whabouchi

In July 2010, SGS commenced metallurgical testing using a one tonne sample obtained from core drilling across the Whabouchi pegmatite body.

The first spodumene concentrate (see press release September 8, 2010 for results and details) was made this fall and from that concentrate, lithium carbonate was produced. The results from the lithium carbonate samples confirm that all specifications for trace elements are met and that this is a premium product, worth approximately $2.00/kg more than the standard 99.5% grade at present market prices.

Gary Pearse, principal of Equapolar Consultants Limited, an independent firm hired by Nemaska to oversee the metallurgical work and conduct a scoping study at Whabouchi commented, "The results for this laboratory test are exceptional. It shows that there are no discernible technical barriers to making top quality battery-grade lithium carbonate from Nemaska ore using "off-the-shelf" techniques."

Following up on the laboratory work, Nemaska is planning to start pilot plant metallurgical testing of a 30 tonne sample in an effort to optimize the processing techniques and create the most efficient and cost competitive method of producing lithium carbonate.

"Obviously, we are very satisfied with the results of this metallurgical test as a whole," commented Mr. Guy Bourassa, President and CEO. "This is an important milestone for the Company and a necessary step in marketing our product to end users. We now look forward to completing the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for this project."

The technical sections of this press release have been prepared by Gary Pearce, P. Eng., Geo. qualified persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Nemaska Exploration Inc. is a mineral exploration company involved in the James Bay region of Quebec. Its main assets are the Whabouchi (about 1,716 hectares), Lac Levac (about 9,200 hectares), Lac Arques (about 39,470 hectares), and Lac des Montagnes (about 12,740 hectares) properties, all 100 % owned.

These properties are contiguous and cover about 85 km of the Lac des Montagnes green belt polymetallic formation. They are easily accessible year round by either the Route du Nord from Chibougamau (280 km) or the Route de la Baie James from Matagami (380 km) and are located near the Cree community of Nemaska and the Nemiscau airport.

www.nemaskaexploration.com/en/