Imperial Awarded $90,000 Federal Grant for Scandium Material Research with McMaster University

MONTREAL, March 18, 2021 - Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("Imperial") (TSX VENTURE: IPG; OTCQB: IMPNF) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Grant for a three-year, $90,000 research program to investigate scandium-aluminum alloy characterization for use in additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3-D metal printing, applications.

The grant was jointly awarded to Imperial in partnership with the W. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. The program's objectives are to develop and collect material engineering data for next-generation scandium-enhanced aluminum alloys. The focus of the research program will be on the alloy's applicability to AM of metal parts for the aerospace, defense and automotive sectors.

"We believe that the Imperial-McMaster University research program will add significant shareholder value by developing new, high-demand, high-value alloy materials and applications for our Crater Lake scandium," said Peter J. Cashin, Imperial's President & CEO. "The data collected by this program will enable Imperial to provide reference material in its discussions with defense, aerospace and transportation entities and their downstream suppliers. Strategically, the value-added processing required for 3-D powder will significantly enhance our product margins. It will also provide us with a catalyst to attract strategic partners in support of Imperial's Crater Lake development activities moving forward."

"McMaster has been at the forefront of developing technical expertise in 3-D printing and we are pleased to work with Imperial Mining Group to optimize scandium-enhanced aluminum alloys," said Dr. M.A. Elbestawi, Research Lead, Additive Manufacturing Group, Faculty of Engineering. "Until recently, broader use of these specialty alloys has been challenged by the lack of a sustainable scandium supply and very high production costs. Imperial as a Canadian sustainable supplier becomes a transformational force which is able to considerably improve the situation. We are eager to begin this important research work as soon as possible."

The current program will aid Imperial's efforts to enhance its scandium market penetration for high-value componentry that uses scandium-aluminum alloys. Imperial believes that the Crater Lake deposit has the potential to accelerate the uptake of this new material for both subtractive and additive manufacturing processes. To further its objectives, Imperial plans to focus on creating new, high-value product applications to build market pull from a variety of consuming sources as it moves towards full production.

ABOUT IMPERIAL MINING GROUP LTD.

Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its technology metals projects in Qu?bec. Imperial is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as "IPG" and on the OTCQB Exchange as "IMPNF" and is led by an experienced team of mineral exploration and development professionals with a strong track record of mineral deposit discovery in numerous metal commodities.

ABOUT McMASTER UNIVERSITY's ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING GROUP

The Additive Manufacturing Group (AMG) was established as a multi-disciplinary research enterprise at McMaster University's Faculty of Engineering in 2015. The AMG is involved in fundamental and applied research and education programs dealing with metal additive manufacturing applications in various industries including: Automotive, Aerospace, Biomedical Devices, and Tooling.

For further information please contact:

Website: www.imperialmgp.com Twitter: @imperial_mining Facebook: Imperial Mining Group

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company's operations or to its business environment. Such statements are based on the Company's operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, but are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or control. Several factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include those set forth in the corporate filings. Although any such forward-looking statements are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, for any reason. We also do not commit in any way to guarantee that we will continue reporting on items or issues that arise. Investors are cautioned that this press release contains quoted historical exploration results. These are derived from filed assessment reports and compiled from governmental databases. The Company and a QP have not independently verified and make no representations as to the accuracy of historical exploration results: these results should not be relied upon. Selected highlight results may not be indicative of average grades. Neither 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.