Great Lakes Graphite Successful in Energizing Matheson Micronization Facility

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 9, 2016) - Great Lakes Graphite Inc. ("GLK" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GLK)(OTC PINK:GLKIF)(FRANKFURT:8GL) today announces that pursuant to the Company receiving all necessary approvals from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), Ontario Hydro has energized the transmission line that delivers power to the Matheson Micronization Facility.

The Company's startup plan for the facility includes putting one 300hp mill into production, which is capable of producing up to 20,000 tonnes of micronized graphite per annum. This system will be operated to produce material in four different sizes, ranging from 10 microns to 45 microns.

The Company has expanded its focus to include the micronization of synthetic graphite, in addition to natural flake graphite. GDMS analysis of micronized synthetic graphite samples returned purity levels in the range of 99.6% - 99.95%. Including synthetic graphite products provides the Company with immediate access to a broader range of offerings and increases the number of target markets. Adding a synthetic graphite product line enables the Company to address the demand for high purity products in the near term and without any additional capital expenditures.

To complete the final construction and prepare the facility for graphite micronization operations, Great Lakes has contracted D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd. Led by its technical capability and graphite expertise, D.E.N.M. is an international niche engineering company specializing in Engineering & Design, Equipment Supply, Project & Construction Management, Commissioning and Operations Support.

Since its inception in 2004, D.E.N.M. Engineering has specialized in project management, construction management, and commissioning of small to medium scale mining projects and mineral processing facilities. Recent D.E.N.M. projects have been completed in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Australia. David Salari is the President and CEO of D.E.N.M. Engineering and a member of the Professional Engineers Association of Ontario, and meets the requirements as a "QP" (qualified person) as set out in the National Instrument 43-101 based on education, experience, independence, and affiliation with a professional association.

CEO Paul Gorman said, "D.E.N.M. has a long and well-established reputation for the quality of the work they bring to building and commissioning mineral processing facilities. D.E.N.M.'s experience and qualifications are a perfect fit for what GLK requires to get operations underway at the Matheson plant. Access to electrical power within the facility now enables us to proceed with the commissioning process and preparing the facility for startup operations."

About Great Lakes Graphite: Great Lakes Graphite Inc. is an industrial minerals company focussed on bringing value-added carbon products to a well-defined market.

The Company has entered into long-term agreements for use of the Matheson Micronization Facility and for supply of high quality natural graphite concentrate (see news release dated 03/23/15) which have positioned Great Lakes Graphite to become an emerging domestic manufacturer and supplier of micronized products to a growing regional customer base where pricing and demand continue to rise.

Further information regarding Great Lakes can be found on the Company's website at: www.GreatLakesGraphite.com.

Great Lakes Graphite trades with symbol GLK on the TSX Venture Exchange and currently has 101,227,645 shares outstanding (152,467,856 fully diluted).

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

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information: Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking information" which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking information. When used in this press release, such forward looking information may use such words as "may'', "will'', "expect'', "believe'', "plan'' and other similar terminology. Forward looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations relating to the future events and the operating performance of the Company, and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to fulfill the orders and future orders, regulatory requirements, general economic, market or business conditions and future developments in the sectors of the economy in which the business of Great Lakes operates. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Please see the Company's financial statements, MD&A and other documents available on www.sedar.com, for a more detailed description of the risk factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking information, whether a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.