Pure Energy Minerals Launches Maiden Drill Program at its Terra Cotta Lithium Project, Argentina

DENVER, Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pure Energy Minerals Limited (TSX-V:PE) (OTCQB:PEMIF) (the “Company” or “Pure Energy”) is pleased to announce the start of its first exploration drilling program at the Terra Cotta lithium brine project (the “TC Project”) at Salar de Pocitos in the Salta Province of Argentina. The approved Environmental Impact Report (EIR) authorizes drilling, sampling, and aquifer testing of up to ten exploratory boreholes at the TC Project.

The initial phase of work will include approximately 1,100 meters of diamond-drill coring and brine sampling at three borehole locations. Roads and drill pads have already been constructed for these three locations, and the coring rig arrived at the first location on February 10, 2018.

Walter Weinig, Pure Energy’s Vice President of Projects and Permitting, commented, “We are excited to begin the first deep drilling and sampling program on the TC properties in the heart of Salar de Pocitos. Conhidro S.R.L. has provided expert hydrogeological and field support from their base in Salta, and the team has identified several promising drill targets based on the results of our mapping, sampling, and geophysical work as described in our October 2, 2017 press release. The drilling contractor, Andina, has a wealth of experience working in the Lithium Triangle, particularly in the Puna region and Salta Province. Based on the presence of lithium bearing brine in previously reported surface samples and the strong geophysical anomalies at depth, we look forward to the analytical results from the first subsurface samples in the area.”

Pure Energy’s TC Project is located in the heart of Argentina’s lithium-rich Puna Region. Significant deposits of lithium in brine occur approximately 32 km (20 miles) north at Rincon Salar and approximately 90 km (56 miles) south at Salar del Hombre Muerto. Salar de Pocitos is directly accessible by Salta Provincial Highway 17 and enjoys excellent infrastructure, including a gas pipeline and rail line on the eastern edge of the salar and a high voltage power line only 30 km (18 miles) to the north.

Quality Assurance

Walter Weinig, Professional Geologist and SME Registered Member (SME Registered Member # 4168729), is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Weinig is not independent of the Company as he is an officer.

About Pure Energy Minerals Limited

Pure Energy Minerals is a lithium resource developer that is driven to become a low-cost supplier for the growing lithium battery industry. The Company is developing the Clayton Valley Project (“CV Project”) in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The Company is also exploring a major new lithium brine project in the Lithium Triangle of South America, the Terra Cotta Project (“TC Project”). The TC Project is located on Salar de Pocitos in Salta, Argentina, where it enjoys some of the best infrastructure and access of any lithium brine exploration project in Argentina.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

“Patrick Highsmith”
Chief Executive Officer