Imperial Mining Files for US and Canadian Patents for Its Scandium and Rare Earth Metallurgical Extraction Process

Imperial Mining Files for US and Canadian Patents for Its

Scandium and Rare Earth Metallurgical Extraction Process

MONTREAL, QUEBEC — February 2, 20 23 – Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("Imperial") (TSX

VENTURE: IPG) (OTCQB: IMPNF) is pleased to announce the filling of patent applications for its two-

stage hydrometallurgical methods and processes for the extraction of scandium (Sc) and rare earth elements

(REE) from Crater Lake project mineralization.

The patent titled “HIGH PRESSURE CAUSTIC LEACH METHODS AND PROCESSES FOR RECOVERY

OF SCANDIUM AND RARE -EARTH OXIDES” was filed on December 6, 2022, with the United States

Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO, Application Number: 18/062,318), and Canada Intellectual Property

Office ( CIPO, Application Number 3,183,459). The US patent application has been assigned to an

Examiner, who will conduct a search for relevant references to the invention and will examine the

application according to its filing date. IPG will file a Request for E xamination with the CIPO after the

successful examination by USPTO and within four years of the filing date.

IPG is also is pleased to provide an update on the Crater Lake Scandium Project flowsheet development

program which commenced in early 2022 at SGS Canada, Quebec City and Peterborough, and is partially

financed from a $245,355 grant from the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (see Imperial

Mining Press Release - FEB 8, 2022).

The flowsheet development program was focused on further optimization of the mineral processing

flowsheet by rejecting olivine, a non-Sc-REE-bearing mineral, from the mineral concentrate and processing

of the olivine-depleted mineral concentrate through the patent-pending high-pressure caustic leach process

for recovery of Sc and REE. During the flowsheet development program, IPG invented a patentable process

for rejecting olivine from the scandium -bearing mineral concentrate. Olivine response to conventional

mineral processing techniques (magnetic separation, flotation, electrostatic, and density) is like those of the

scandium-bearing pyroxene and amphibole minerals, making it is difficult to separate and diluting the Sc-

REE grade of the concentrate . In addition, the solvent extraction (SX) circuit for the recovery of Sc and

REE from leach solution has also been defined and successfully tested.

The development program that commenced on January 31st, 2022, is being undertaken by SGS Canada with

expected completion by the end of March 2023. Results from the work will aid in the engineering design

of Imperial’s Pilot Plant program for Crater Lake, set to commence later in 2023.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical content in this press release was reviewed and certified by Dr. Yemi Oyediran, an Ontario -

registered P. Eng., Imperial's Vice President, Metallurgical Development.

ABOUT IMPERIAL MINING GROUP LTD.

Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its

technology metals projects in Québec. 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.

For further information please contact:

Peter J. Cashin

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +1 (514) 360-0571

Email: [email protected]

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 f orth 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 cauti oned 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 th e 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 po licies of the TSX Venture

Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.