Valterra Returns High Purity Graphite Products; Including +99% C from Leach Testing at the Bobcaygeon Project


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 21, 2013) - Valterra Resource Corporation (TSX VENTURE:VQA)(FRANKFURT:3VA) reports that preliminary metallurgical results from continued testing on the +20kg Discovery Zone trench sample from the Bobcaygeon Graphite Project in southern Ontario has produced medium, coarse and jumbo flake graphite fractions assaying >94% C(t) by LOI and a high-purity fine flake graphite fraction, that with additional leaching, returned 99.14% C by double LOI in concentrate. These preliminary flotation and leaching test results demonstrate the potential to produce marketable, high-margin graphite products utilizing industry-standard processing techniques.

A combination of crushing, grinding, polishing, and flotation stages were used to separate the products into various size fractions of high purity. Two-stage leach testing was conducted on the fine size fraction (-150 mesh) with the goal of upgrading this material to a purer concentrate.

Highlights from the metallurgical testing conducted at SGS Lakefield facilities include:

  • 55.9% of the concentrate separates into the fine flake category (-150 mesh) grading 91.05% C(t). Leach testing was conducted on this size fraction upgrading the product to a 99.14% C (Double LOI) and 100% C(t) by Leco.
  • 31.7% of the concentrate separates into the large and jumbo flake categories (+80 mesh or >0.178mm) grading 94.9% C by LOI. This includes 14.6% of the concentrate at a +48 mesh (jumbo flake) grading 94.7% C by LOI.
  • 12.4% of the concentrate separates into the medium flake category (-80 to +150 mesh) grading 96.3% C by LOI.
  • Total overall concentrate recoveries of 93.3% at a combined concentrate grade of 93.1% C by LOI.

Processing of the sample continues to return a high percentage of medium and coarser flake concentrates but more significantly identified a fine flake concentrate with the potential to produce an ultra-pure graphite suitable for the synthetic and graphene markets.

The initial head grade of the sample was 34.6% C(g) (see NR-11-12), which is consistent with field sampling of the graphite lens exposed in the drill-ready Discovery Zone trench. Further processing of the fine flake graphite size fraction will be done in order to determine a more precise %C(g) value toward a detailed concentrate analyses pending completion of the work by SGS.

Early results from the project are very encouraging and Valterra is planning an aggressive exploration program including the evaluation of near surface geophysical targets and drilling several shallow "scout" core holes in the Discovery Zone trench area. This work is a prelude to a more extensive drill program which will systematically test an 800m x 400m open-ended, near surface IP chargeability anomaly in the area of the initial discovery, and geophysical and geological evaluation of other targets on this large +160 sq. km. property.

Recent metallurgical reports, ground-geophysical data, updated corporate presentations and photographs are available on Valterra's website at www.valterraresource.com.

About Graphite

Graphite is a naturally occurring form of carbon with wide-ranging and unique physical properties. Graphene is derived from graphite and is one of the strongest known substances with a tensile strength 200 times the strength of steel. The industrial development of graphene is at an early stage but will eventually become a replacement for several expensive electronic components such as silicon semi-conductors. There are three natural primary graphite occurrences - vein, flake, and amorphous where the highest quality product can command prices in excess of $2,000 per tonne. In pricing graphite, the flake size is a key factor with the large flake (>0.178mm) ores commanding the highest prices in markets dominated by multi-national eco-automobile manufacturers, high-tech industries and nuclear energy companies. Recent pricing and demand increases have accelerated numerous exploration and investment opportunities in the graphite market.

The Province of Ontario is an excellent locale to explore owing to superior geology, geoscience knowledge, infrastructure, political stability and tax incentives. Several projects are advancing in the graphite field including Northern Graphite Corporation, Zenyatta Ventures Inc. and Ontario Graphite Ltd.

The Bobcaygeon property is hosted in rocks of the Grenville geological province which hosts most of the known significant graphite deposits in Canada.

About Valterra Resource Corporation

Valterra is a Manex Resource Group Company. The group provides expertise in exploration, administration, and corporate development services for Valterra's mineral properties located in British Columbia and Ontario. Valterra is focussed on early stage properties with the potential to host large deposits, in regions with excellent infrastructure. Over the last several years, Valterra has acquired and is exploring several key projects including "Star-Toughnut", "Swift Katie" and "Bobcaygeon" which are located near roads, rail, power, and resource communities in Canada.

Brian McGrath, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person responsible for reviewing the technical information presented in this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Frederick Sveinson, President

Valterra Resource Corporation

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for Valterra Resource Corporation's projects, and the availability of financing for Valterra Resource Corporation's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Valterra Resource Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

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.

Contact Information:

Valterra Resource Corporation
Liana Shahinian
1.888.456.1112 or 604.641.2773
liana@mnxltd.com
www.valterraresource.com