Energizer Resources Provides Update on Infrastructure Enhancements Near Molo Graphite Project; U.S. and Canada Look to Increase Trade With Madagascar

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug 18, 2014) - Energizer Resources Inc. (TSX:EGZ)(OTCQX:ENZR)(WKN:A1CXW3) ("Energizer" or the "Company") is pleased to update ongoing infrastructure enhancements in proximity to Company's Molo Graphite Project in southern Madagascar. Further, the successful elections in late 2013, which lead to formation of Madagascar's new democratically elected government, has resulted in announcements from both the United States and Canada regarding trade relations with Madagascar which will both directly and indirectly have a positive impact on the Company's Project.

Upgrading of Main Arterial Roadway Close to Molo Project

The European Union (EU) has reinstated civil infrastructure development projects in Madagascar, beginning with the allocation of funds for the upgrading of the main arterial roadway, Route Nationale 13 (RN13), which connects the capital city of Antananarivo to the state-of-the-art deep water port of Ehoala in Fort Dauphin, which was constructed for and being utilized by Rio Tinto/QMM's ilmenite sands project in the south eastern region of the country. The upgrade will include critical repairs to the RN13, beginning with the portion closest to the Molo Project and eventually ending at the port. A map showing the location of the Molo Graphite Project in relation to RN13 can be viewed by this link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20140817-molob.jpg.

The road-upgrading project has been awarded to "SARA SRL", a significant and reputable local engineering construction company. Representatives from both SARA and the EU have independently confirmed the allocation of tenders in Madagascar for the rehabilitation of the road between Baraketa, which is located ~30 kilometres immediately east of Energizer's Molo Project, to Antanimora in the south. Both institutions expressed confidence that this first portion of the road upgrade will be completed by December of this year, with the second portion of the works program beginning in early spring of 2015 to extend the road to Ambavombe, where it will intersect with the EU's 2016 program to rehabilitate the third portion, which is the coastal road all the way to Fort Dauphin.

The upgrading of RN13 now positions the Port of Ehoala as a viable alternative for Energizer to consider as a shipping port and this has the potential to positively impact the Company's projected mine economics by reducing overall transportation costs to customer destination.

The Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) Study, dated April 12, 2013, considered only the Port of Tulear, located in the southwestern region of Madagascar, and included Energizer bearing the entire cost of maintaining a regional network of gravel roads. The Port of Ehoala in Fort Dauphin offers Energizer the opportunity to utilize a fully developed port infrastructure without the previously envisioned capital and operating restraints considered in the PEA Study. Energizer's EPCM partner, DRA, is now evaluating the new primary port option as part of the Company's soon to be released Full Feasibility Study (FS).

The world-class, multi purpose Port of Ehoala, which was built in partnership with the Madagascar Government, has significant excess capacity and is considered a key structure for the future economic development of the region. The Port is utilized by Rio Tinto/QMM's operations and also accommodates cruise ships, container ships and refrigeration vessels.

President Obama Reinstates Madagascar as Preferred Trade Partner

On June 26, U.S. President Obama reinstated Madagascar to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. The United States' decision to reinstate Madagascar's eligibility as a preferred trading partner is in recognition of the nation's return to democratic rule.

The Act provides free-trade status and other tangible incentives to Madagascar and looks to improve economic relations between the two countries. Madagascar had been an AGOA success story prior to their suspension in 2009. The country exported on average over US$200 million worth of goods a year under the agreement, with a peak of over US$300 million in 2004. The benefits of the AGOA are of critical importance to Madagascar's economy, as it is predicted that the reinstatement could increase exports to the United States by as much as 70 percent and create thousands of local jobs.

This latest proclamation on Madagascar from President Obama is the latest in a string of positive validations from world governments and organizations since the democratic election in January 2014 of the Canadian-trained chartered accountant President, Hery Rajaonarimampianina. Recognition of his commitment and progress to date in rebuilding Madagascar's economy has brought public endorsements of the government by the African Union, the IMF, the EU, the World Bank and the UN's own Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

Canadian Government Identifies Madagascar as "Priority Market" in Global Markets Action Plan

The Government of Canada has officially engaged Madagascar's new government to rebuild economic and strategic resource ties. This past June, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development sent Canada's trade Minister to meet with Madagascar's Prime Minister and its Minister of strategic resources and stated that, "Canada welcomes the commitment to work toward the signing and ratification of the Canada-Madagascar Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement."

Madagascar is identified as a priority market in the Canadian government's Global Markets Action Plan. Andrew McAlister, Canada's ambassador to Madagascar from 2005 to 2007, stated that the two countries are eagerly working towards an agreement to prevent double taxation of corporations working in both regions in the mining, textile and agricultural industries.

A spokesperson from Canada's Department of Natural Resources said that two-way trade between Canada and Madagascar is "moderate", however Canadian investments in the mining sector in Madagascar are significant. Both Sheritt International's $8 billion Ambatovy Project and Energizer Resources' Molo Graphite Project were cited as the most notable mining operations in the country.

Sagar Property Agreement Amendment

Energizer also wishes to announce that it has modified the terms of the Sagar property agreement with Honey Badger Exploration (Honey Badger). Under the new terms of the agreement, in order to acquire an initial 35% interest in the property, Energizer will receive $150,000 and Honey Badger will spend $1,500,000 on developing the property. Honey Badger can earn further percentage interests up to 75% over a four year period by spending a total of $9,000,000 on the property, paying Energizer $900,000 in cash and issuing to Energizer the lesser of 15% of its issued and outstanding shares or 35,000,000 shares. Once these commitments have been met, Honey Badger can earn the remaining un-owned interest of 25% by paying Energizer an additional $2,000,000 and issuing the lesser of 19.5% of Honey Badger's outstanding shares or up to 60,000,000 shares.

About Energizer Resources

Energizer Resources is a mineral exploration and mine development company based in Toronto, Canada, that is developing its 100%-owned, flagship Molo Graphite Project in southern Madagascar.

The Molo is one of the largest known all-flake graphite deposits in the world and hosts a NI 43-101 compliant Measured resource of 23.62 million tonnes (MT) grading 6.32% carbon (C), an Indicated resource of 76.75 MT grading 6.25% C and an Inferred resource of 40.91 MT at 5.78% C, for a combined total of 141.28 MT at 6.13%C.

Energizer is at the full feasibility stage, with the Study to be released by the fourth quarter of 2014. Results of the Company's recently completed pilot plant operation confirmed that 43.5% of the Molo deposit is classified as the premium-priced large and extra-large flake, with an average purity level in excess of 97%C achieved through standard flotation alone. The Company is targeting production in Q2/Q3 of 2016.

Energizer's total land package in southern Madagascar encompasses approximately 320 kilometres (198 miles) of continuous graphitic trends, where all graphite mineralization is immediately at surface.

In addition to the Molo Graphite Project, Energizer has also identified through drilling, trenching and geological mapping at least six other zones that could be potential stand-alone graphite deposits.

For more information on the Molo Graphite Project, please refer to the Company's technical report entitled "Molo Graphite Project, Fotadrevo, Province of Toliara, Madagascar, Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report Update" dated April 12, 2013 available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com for a discussion in respect of certain key assumptions, parameters and methods in respect to the mineral resource disclosure, or our visit our website at www.energizerresources.com.

Other than noted below, Mr. Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and COO is the qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this press release.

Safe Harbour: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from expectations and projections set out herein.

The National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report, titled "Molo Graphite Project Fotadrevo Province of Toliara, Madagascar Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report Update and dated April 12, 2013, was prepared by DRA Mineral Projects Pty Ltd and authored by John Hancox, Pri.Sc.Nat, Desmond Subramani, Pri.Sc.Nat, Dave Thompson and Glenn Bezuidenhout, all Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101, and independent of Energizer Resources for the purposes of NI 43-101 requirements. The Technical Report is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.energizerresources.com.

The above resource estimates were calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. For United States reporting purposes, Industry Guide 7 (under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as interpreted by the Staff of the SEC, applies different standards in order to classify mineralization as a reserve. Among other things, the terms "measured", "indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources are required pursuant to National Instrument 43-101, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize such terms. Canadian standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and mineral resource information contained herein is not comparable to similar information regarding mineral reserves disclosed in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The mineral resource estimates in this press release include inferred resources that are normally considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that the inferred mineral resource will be converted to the measured and indicated mineral resource categories through further drilling, or into a mineral reserve once economic considerations are applied.U.S. investors should understand that "inferred" mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. In addition, investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the Company's mineral resources constitute or will be converted into reserves. Cautionary Statement: Neither TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.