Bearing Provides Positive Initial Evaporation Test Results

Bearing Provides Positive Initial Evaporation Test Results

Vancouver, British Columbia - Bearing Resources Ltd. ("Bearing" or the "Company") (TSX Venture: BRZ) (OTCQB: BRGRF) (FRANKFURT: B6K1) has received results from Li3 Energy Inc (“Li3”) from the pilot evaporation ponds at the Maricunga lithium brine project located in Chile (the “Maricunga Project”). Bearing has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Li3 and its interest in the Maricunga Project (the “Li3 Definitive Agreement”). Li3 currently holds a 17.7% interest in the Maricunga Project along with Minera Salar Blanco (“MSB”) and Lithium Power International Limited (“Lithium Power”) at 32.3% and 50% respectively pursuant to a joint venture arrangement (the “Joint Venture”). Under the terms of the Joint Venture, Lithium Power has agreed to fund exploration and development costs with both Li3 and MSB having a free carry until the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

Maricunga Project – Evaporation Testwork

A total of ten trial evaporation ponds were constructed in late 2016 (Q4/16) in order to measure the precipitation of salts, the evolution of brine, and evaporation rates over a one-year period to determine the optimal processing methodology and process flow sheet for the extraction of lithium, potassium, and other by-products. In addition to the trial evaporation ponds, a weather station was also constructed to record temperature, wind, precipitation and solar evaporation over the period. The aforementioned data will be used to support the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) which is anticipated later in 2017.

Brine from pump well P1 located on the Litio tenement was used for the evaporation tests. The average grade of the brine from the pump well was 1,260 mg/L lithium and over an initial three-month period, the brine concentration increased five-fold to 6,300 mg/L lithium. In addition, potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) is precipitating in the ponds as the concentration of the brine increases. Potassium chloride is used in the production of potash and can be a valuable by-product in the production of lithium compounds. Initial results from evaporation tests were previously released by Lithium Power on February 24^th, 2017.

Jeremy Poirier, President and Chief Executive officer of the Company, commented: "We are pleased with the initial results from the evaporation testing. We look forward to receiving additional results moving forward as the tests advance."

QA/QC:

Brine samples from the evaporation ponds are collected on a periodic basis for assays. Precipitated salts are collected from each pond for mineralogical analysis and chemical analysis to evaluate the evaporation pathway and salt evolution.

Brine samples were collected in a clean plastic bottle and filled to the top to minimize air space within the bottle. Salts collected from the ponds are filtered to remove excess moisture. The University of Antofagasta in northern Chile was used as the primary laboratory to conduct the assaying of the brine and precipitated salt samples collected as part of the evaporation test program. They also analyzed blanks, duplicates and standards, with blind control samples in the analysis chain.

Additional details of the ongoing QA/QC programs and sampling procedures are provided in Lithium Power’s press releases.

Don Hains, P.Geo., who is a technical consultant to the Company and is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, has read and takes responsibility for this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Jeremy Poirier"
Jeremy Poirier, Director President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Jeremy Poirier | Director President & CEO
Phone: + 1 604 262 8835
Email: [email protected]

Neither the 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.

About Bearing Resources Ltd.

Bearing is an exploration and development company. The Li3 Definitive Agreement will enable it to acquire an interest in the advanced-stage Maricunga project located in Chile, which represents one of the highest-grade development opportunities in the Americas. Assuming completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, Bearing will have an undivided 17.7% interest in the project with all expenditures through to the delivery of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) fully-funded by its joint-venture partners. The Maricunga Project has had in excess of US$25 million of exploration to date.