TORONTO, March 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Ascendant Resources Inc.

(TSX: ASND) (FRA: 2D9) (“Ascendant” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the beginning of its phase 2 metallurgical test work on both the massive sulphide and stockwork ores at its Lagoa Salgada project in Portugal, following very encouraging results obtained in the first stage of metallurgical test work.

The current Phase 2 metallurgical testing is planned to follow up on previous test work completed in the North and South zones as well as investigate new ore where additional Mineral Resources have been added from drilling subsequent to Phase 1 testing. The objective of the Phase 2 program will be to further enhance the understanding of the ore characteristics of the various types of ore bodies delineated in the various zones at Lagoa Salgada and demonstrate specifications and recoveries consistent with average specifications and recoveries being achieved today on the Iberian Pyrite belt.

The new well-defined program will test new areas of the resource with fresh samples provided from the most recent drilling campaign and enhance recoveries with detailed monitoring and control of the grinding circuit and optimizing the suite of processing reagents. The program is expected to be completed in Q3 2021. The key highlights of the program are outlined below:

Highlights:

• Phase 2 metallurgical test work is directed at developing a preliminary flowsheet, material balance and establishing preliminary process design criteria, such as ore hardness, crush and grind size requirements, flotation, reagent consumptions, metal recoveries and concentrate grades that can be expected for the various metals and from the different types of ore bodies; namely massive sulphide and stockworks.
• For this test programme the cassiterite (tin mineral) recovery in the Pb, Zn tailings of the massive sulphide would be assessed by flotation.
• Recovery of residual gold will be assessed by oxygenated leach tests on a bulk pyrite concentrate from the massive sulphide.
• An option has been included for bulk preparation of a combined massive sulphide and stockwork blend to generate sufficient rougher concentrate for signature plots and any further testing required.

Chris Buncic, President & CEO of Ascendant stated, “

We are very confident that we will be able to show recoveries at least in line with the average recoveries and specifications achieved today on the Iberian pyrite Belt.


Metallurgy is one of the key de-risking milestones to address in the development of any mining project. For Lagoa Salgada, we have already completed multiple mineralogical studies and phase 1 metallurgical test work to assess the deposit’s metallurgical characteristics. The initial results have been very encouraging, especially with respect to the stockwork ore where the results show


we have been able to produce 3 sealable concentrates (Cu, Zn, Pb).”

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Robert Campbell, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration and Director for Ascendant Resources Ltd, who is a Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Ascendant Resources Inc.

Ascendant Resources Inc. is a Toronto-based mining company focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. Through aggressive exploration and development plans, the Company aims to unlock the significant potential of the project and maximize value for shareholders.

Lagoa Salgada contains over 14.8 million tonnes of M&I Resources and over 11.9 million tonnes in Inferred Resources and demonstrates typical mineralization characteristics of Iberian Pyrite Belt VMS deposits containing zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 10,700ha property concession. The project also demonstrates compelling economics with scalability for future resource growth in the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment completed in 2020. Located just 80km from Lisbon, Lagoa Salgada is easily accessible by road and surrounded by exceptional Infrastructure. Ascendant holds a 21.25% interest in the Lagoa Salgada project through its 25% position in Redcorp – Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda, (“Redcorp”) and has an earn-in opportunity to increase its interest in the project to 80%. Mineral & Financial Investments Limited owns the additional 75% of Redcorp. The remaining 15% of the project is held by Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. (EDM), a Portuguese Government owned company supporting the strategic development of the country’s mining sector. The Company’s interest in the Lagoa Salgada project offers a low-cost entry to a potentially significant exploration and development opportunity, already demonstrating its mineable scale.

Ascendant Resources is also engaged in the ongoing evaluation of producing and development stage mineral resource opportunities. The Corporation’s common shares are principally listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “ASND”. For more information on Ascendant Resources, please visit our website at

www.ascendantresources.com

.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Chris Buncic

President, CEO & Director

Tel: 888-723-7413

[email protected]

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “budget”, “guidance”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “strategy”, “target”, “intends”, “objective”, “goal”, “understands”, “anticipates” and “believes” (and variations of these or similar words) and statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” “occur” or “be achieved” or “will be taken” (and variations of these or similar expressions). Forward-looking information is also identifiable in statements of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future, such as “providing the Company with”, “is currently”, “allows/allowing for”, “will advance” or “continues to” or other statements that may be stated in the present tense with future implications. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by this cautionary note.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the exploration activities and the results of such activities at the Lagoa Salgada Project, the ability of the Company to advance the Lagoa Salgada Project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, and the ability of the Company to fund the exploration with funds from operations. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by Ascendant at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The material factors or assumptions that Ascendant identified and were applied by Ascendant in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the success of the exploration activities at Lagoa Salgada Project, the Company advancing the project to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, the ability of the Company to fund the exploration program at Lagoa Salgada with funds from operations , and other events that may affect Ascendant’s ability to develop its project; and no significant and continuing adverse changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets.

The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, risks generally associated with the mining industry, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, energy prices and general cost escalation), uncertainties related to the development and operation of Ascendant’s projects, dependence on key personnel and employee and union relations, risks related to political or social unrest or change, rights and title claims, operational risks and hazards, including unanticipated environmental, industrial and geological events and developments and the inability to insure against all risks, failure of plant, equipment, processes, transportation and other infrastructure to operate as anticipated, compliance with government and environmental regulations, including permitting requirements and anti-bribery legislation, volatile financial markets that may affect Ascendant’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, the failure to obtain required approvals or clearances from government authorities on a timely basis, uncertainties related to the geology, continuity, grade and estimates of mineral reserves and resources, and the potential for variations in grade and recovery rates, uncertain costs of reclamation activities, tax refunds, hedging transactions, as well as the risks discussed in Ascendant’s most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and available at



www.sedar.com



.

Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency, or other factor materialize, or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Ascendant does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.