Western Lithium Continues Optimization Studies With Tenova Bateman Technologies

RENO, NEVADA--(Marketwired - Jun 16, 2015) - Western Lithium USA Corp. ("Western Lithium" or "the Company") (TSX:WLC)(OTCQX:WLCDF) is pleased to announce that it is continuing its optimization studies with Tenova Bateman Technologies ("Bateman") in order to complete an order-of-magnitude preliminary engineering study for Western Lithium's Nevada lithium deposit. Bateman has developed an advanced solvent extraction technology known as the LiSX™ process that is designed to efficiently separate and concentrate lithium from brines and chemical streams. In 2010, Western Lithium engaged Bateman to conduct bench-scale testing of the LiSX™ process on lithium-enriched brine simulating Western Lithium's Nevada deposit. The test produced saturated lithium brine concentrates of >99.9% purity.

Also in 2010, Western Lithium began development of its electrochemical circuit to produce high purity lithium hydroxide from its Nevada brines, for battery applications. Western Lithium has been advancing its lithium hydroxide circuit and plans to test whether the Bateman LiSX™ lithium separation method is complementary to the Company's lithium hydroxide and carbonate products. Utilizing low energy requirements, the LiSX™ process has the potential to enable the production of various customized high-purity (>99.9%) lithium end-products. Western Lithium is familiar with similar solvent extraction technologies that have been used extensively in other metal and mineral extraction industries.

"It is our core value to always be on the look out for leading technologies in our business", said Western Lithium's CEO, Jay Chmelauskas. "By combining technological innovation with our large concentration of lithium molecules at our property in Nevada, we have the potential to supply multiple, large scale lithium-ion battery facilities around the globe with state-of-the-art products."

If successful, the Bateman LiSX™ process would be a slight design modification to Western Lithium's current lithium extraction process, that the Company could offer to strategic partners that have a primary interest to purchase lithium hydroxide. Otherwise, the Company expects to advance its current lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide process. The next phase of study with Bateman will determine the economic impact of using the Bateman technology to eliminate the intermediate lithium carbonate step, and go directly to Western Lithium's electrochemical lithium hydroxide circuit.

Western Lithium is committed to technological innovation and to developing the most advanced and efficient technologies in the sector. In 2013, Western Lithium received a US patent US8,431,005 B1 for its high purity lithium extraction technology to manufacture lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide from its Nevada deposit. In addition, Western Lithium has worked with other technology leaders in the sector such as Argonne National Laboratory, who was engaged to cycle test the Company's lithium products in lithium-ion battery cells (see news release April 16, 2012). Western Lithium plans to continue to seek other opportunities and partnerships to apply leading technology in the lithium sector.

In early 2015, Western Lithium produced 99.8% high quality lithium carbonate from the commissioning of its German based lithium demonstration facility. Since then, Western Lithium has been completing optimization tests to incorporate into the next demonstration campaigns that are planned to commence in September 2015. The Company is in discussions with potential funding partners to support the next demonstration campaigns.

Western Lithium's Kings Valley lithium deposit is one of the largest known lithium deposits in the world, based on a historical resource estimate done by Chevron Resources Corp. of 11 million tonnes of LCE(1). Western Lithium is positioned to play a major role in the lithium battery supply chain that is under development in the USA and globally. The Company anticipates that an integrated lithium-ion battery supply chain will continue to emerge in North America.

(1) The Chevron historical resource estimate was approximately 11 million tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) at average grades ranging from 0.31% to 0.37% Li, March 1985 and encompasses all of the Kings Valley lithium lens deposits identified to date. There is insufficient information regarding the categories used in the historical estimates to make a meaningful comparison to current resource categories under CIM Definition Standards of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Western Lithium has completed National Instrument 43-101 resource estimates on two portions of the property, one of which is envisioned for the initial stage of mine development, that covers part of the mineralization from the historical estimate. The historical estimate ranks in size behind deposits in Bolivia (47 million tonnes LCE), Chile (37 million tonnes LCE), North Carolina (14 million tonnes LCE) and the DRC (12 million tonnes LCE) [among others? this data is quite dated now]. Source: R. Keith Evans, 2010; Roskill Information Services Ltd., 2009; and company disclosures. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources under National Instrument 43-101, the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources and the historical estimate should not be relied upon. For further information see the May 9, 2014 Technical Report of the Company filed on Sedar at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Dennis Bryan, the Company's Senior Vice President of Development, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

About Tenova Bateman Technologies:

Tenova Bateman Technologies is part of the Tenova Mining & Minerals Division of Tenova and offers advanced solvent extraction solutions and proprietary technologies for the mineral and metals industries, complimented by in-house state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities. Tenova is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the metals and mining and minerals industries.

About Western Lithium

Western Lithium is developing its Kings Valley, Nevada, lithium deposit into a strategic, scalable and reliable source of high quality lithium products. The company is positioning itself as a major U.S.-based supplier to support the rising global demand for lithium that is expected from the increased use of hybrid/electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and consumer and industrial lithium battery storage applications. In addition, Western Lithium is pursuing the opportunity to be a supplier of specialty drilling additive, Hectatone™ and potentially other organoclays for the oil and gas and other industries.

Forward-looking statements

Statements in this release that are forward-looking information are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in the company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this document, the words such as "expect," "believe," "planned", "scheduled," "targeting" and similar expressions is forward-looking information. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information.

Statements in this release that constitute forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to (i) Western Lithium's ability to successfully implement the Bateman technology into its extraction process and its potential impact on design process, capital and operating costs; (ii) the success of the Bateman technology engineering studies and production characteristics; (iii) the potential to become a supplier of lithium products to battery manufacturers; and; (iv) the planned startup of the German demonstration facility and financial support from a funding partner.

All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Western Lithium management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include those described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Western Lithium's most recently filed MD&A. The company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.

Contact

Western Lithium USA Corp.
Investor Relations
778-656-5820
info@westernlithium.com
www.westernlithium.com