Canada Lithium Announces Results of Water Discharge Tests; Metal Levels Within Acceptable Concentration Levels

TSX: CLQ; U.S. OTC: CLQMF

TORONTO, March 27, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Lithium Corp. ("Canada Lithium" or the "Company") (TSX: CLQ) (U.S. OTC: CLQMF) announced today that assay evaluation of the recent water discharge from the process-water cell in its Tailings Management Facility (TMF) has confirmed that all assays and tests on the discharge water indicate metal levels were within acceptable levels of discharge into the environment. 

The Company also reported that discharge-water samples containing suspended solids, which were above normal levels, were also tested for potential toxicity to fish populations, specifically rainbow trout.  These tests proved negative as well.

In a press release dated March 20, Canada Lithium reported that it had notified the Québec Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement de la Faune et des Parcs (MDDEFP) of the water discharge from a cell in its TMF on March 19. The MDDEFP's preliminary assessment indicated that approximately 50,000 cubic metres of water were released, and the Company was allowed to carry on with the commissioning of its lithium carbonate processing plant and its use of the remaining tailings cell.

The initial evaluation of the source of the leak has identified a 50-centimetre-long tear along the southern wall of the geo-membrane. Specialists from Golder Associates, the geotechnical consultant for the TMF, and personnel from the MDDEFP have been on-site to inspect the tear.  Golder personnel will remain on-site as remediation efforts begin and, as previously indicated, the Company will provide a remedial action plan to the MDDEFP.

The Company is currently installing a water treatment system to insure that, while repairs are under way, water accumulations from melting ice and snow in the pond will be filtered for suspended solids.

As noted previously, the Company does not expect any delay in commissioning or increase in capital costs relating to the event.

The Company will continue to monitor the situation closely and is committed to its ongoing approach to sustainable development and the prevention or mitigation of the impact of its activities on the environment. The Company has developed a number of practical programs for environmental management, which include input from its local communities, as well as from experts in these fields.

About Canada Lithium Corp.

The Company holds a 100% interest in the Québec Lithium Project near Val d'Or, the geographical heart of the Québec mining industry. It has completed construction and is in the commissioning phase of an open-pit mine and on-site processing plant with estimated capacity to produce approximately 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. Metallurgical tests have produced battery-grade lithium carbonate samples. A five-year off-take agreement for a minimum of 12,000 tonnes per year was recently signed with Tewoo-ERDC, one of China's largest commodities traders. A second off-take for up to 5,000 tonnes per year was recently signed with Marubeni Corp., a major Japanese commodities trading company. Lithium carbonate is used in lithium-ion batteries that power consumer electronics (laptops, tablets, etc.), power-grid storage facilities and electric and hybrid vehicles.  The Company trades under the symbol CLQ on the TSX and on the U.S. OTCQX under the symbol CLQMF.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based upon the Company's beliefs, estimates and opinions as at the date of this press release, which the Company believes are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions by the Company or its consultants and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such information.

Some of these assumptions include, among other things, that the remedial action plan proposed by the Company will be acceptable to the MDDEFP, that the leak in the storage facility can be corrected in a timely manner and without significant cost, that the MDDEFP will not impose any penalties or fees in connection with the water discharge or that such fees will be minimal, that further studies will confirm there has been no environmental damage and that the MDDEFP will not request operations to be halted while the occurrence is being further reviewed.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this press release. All forward-looking information contained in this press release or incorporated by reference herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary note.  Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information contained herein if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Canada Lithium Corp.