Mr. Jared Lazerson reports

MGX MINERALS REPORTS ADVANCEMENT OF LITHIUM FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY - 1600MG/L LI CONCENTRATE FROM 67 MG/L LI PETRO LITHIUM BRINE

MGX Minerals Inc. has provided lithium extraction process optimization results as reported by engineering partner Purlucid Treatment Solutions. Puclucid has successfully upgraded petro lithium brine taken from the company's 132,000-hectare Sturgeon Lake petro lithium project located at Fox Creek, Alta.

Implementation of core MGX lithium recovery technology continues to advance and progress on brine cleanup has been achieved using a newly developed process that concentrates lithium by more than 20-fold while removing contaminants in a low energy process. The next phase of development will validate these initially promising results.

A bulk sample taken from operating water batteries at Sturgeon Lake was used in benchtop laboratory testing. Research and development have resulted in an upgrading of brine from 67 milligrams per litre Li to 1,600 milligrams per litre Li in the filtration and pretreatment phase of the lithium extraction process. In the latest optimization results, magnesium, boron and potassium were effectively removed in a low energy process with substantive mass of magnesium recovered in a form that may be saleable. Laboratory work was carried out by Puclucid technical staff under the direction of Puclucid chief executive officer, Dr. Preston McEachern.

Results as reported in the phase 2 lithium extraction technology development report: summary of laboratory lithium extraction optimization trials, dated Feb. 21, 2017. Proprietary information has been redacted:

"In the first attempt [using the Puclucid process], a clean lithium chloride brine containing 1,600 mg/L [Li] was created free from magnesium, boron and potassium. In the second trial, run two weeks later on stored brine the results were duplicated with a clean lithium chloride brine again containing 1600 milligrams per litre [Li]. In both cases a small amount of calcium carried through to the brine but this can be addressed in future optimization."

Dr. McEachern further noted: "The biggest challenge in lithium recovery is creating a clean brine. Once other ions are removed it is much easier to recover lithium as a pure carbonate or chloride."

  
                    Units    Feed   Pretreatment Concentrate


Total boron (B)      mg/l     110             59           4          
Total calcium (Ca)   mg/l  23,000         11,000         370        
Total lithium (Li)   mg/l      67             41       1,600      
Total magnesium (Mg) mg/l   2,800            <10          13         
Total potassium (K)  mg/l   4,500          2,800          12         
Total sodium (Na)    mg/l  57,000         43,000          68         
Total sulphur (S)    mg/l      96             56           7          

Sample chain of custody was managed by Roy Eccles (MSc, PGeo), a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 standards, and Dr. McEachern. Samples were submitted to Maxxam Analytical Labs for ICP-ES analysis. Maxxam is an independent, ISO-certified analytical laboratory.

The company and Puclucid are now in the bulk sample and pilot plant design optimization phase of development in preparation for deployment. The goal of creating a clean concentrated lithium brine using filtration prior to the mineral extraction phase is to optimize pilot plant design by reducing size and cost of mineral extraction components. MGX has the right to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in Puclucid.

A technical report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.

Qualified person

The technical portions of this press release were prepared by Dr. Preston McEachern, CEO of Puclucid Treatment Solutions, and have been reviewed by Andris Kikauka (PGeo), vice-president of exploration for MGX Minerals. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MGX Minerals Inc.

MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian mining company engaged in the development of large-scale industrial mineral portfolios in Western Canada and the United States. The company operates lithium, magnesium and silicon projects throughout British Columbia and Alberta as well as petro lithium exploration in Utah.

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