US Cobalt Expanded Diamond Drill Sampling Increases Widths of Iron Creek Cobalt Mineralized Envelop

Highlights: 
Hole IC17-06 - Now 9.9 meters of 0.51% CoEq was 5.5 meters grading 0.55% CoEq
Hole IC17-10 - Now 6.2 meters of 0.51% CoEq was 2.2 meters of 0.66% CoEq
CoEq = Cobalt Equivalent; calculated as Copper % /10.58 + Cobalt % 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  US Cobalt Inc. (the "Company") (TSXV:USCO) (Frankfurt:26X) (OTCQB:USCFF) announces the successful completion of a program of infill sampling from the early 2017 diamond drill campaign at the Iron Creek project (the "Property") in Idaho, USA.  As the 2017 diamond drill program progressed, the understanding of the Cobalt mineralization evolved to indicate significant cobalt mineralization occurs in zones with sulfide mineralization that is not massive or semi-massive.  The results of the expanded sampling of the earlier holes show that significant cobalt mineralization occurs related to areas with a lower sulfide content in disseminations or stringers or seams.  These values coupled with the previously released analytical results indicate an increased width of the cobalt mineralized envelop.  The previous work had focused on the massive to semi-massive sulfide mineralization hosting the Cobalt and Copper values.

Two of the nine holes subjected to expanded sampling showed significant improvements in cobalt content, four of these holes showed significant new low grade mineralization, and three of these holes showed little change from the results previously announced (see Company news release dated October 4, 2017).

An indication of the increased mineralized envelop of cobalt values is presented below:

 -Widths are true width.  - CoEq = Cobalt Equivalent; calculated as copper % /10.58 + Cobalt %

These results confirm that cobalt mineralization exists outside of the massive and semi-massive sulfide zones at Iron Creek.  Sampling protocols have been updated to reflect the understanding of cobalt and copper values in lower sulfide environments.

Sr. Vice President, Exploration, Brian Kirwin commented: "These results from additional core sampling in these nine holes are encouraging for potential of the Iron Creek project. We have learned that cobalt and copper mineralization occurs in zones with lower sulfide contents than previously thought and we now routinely sample broader zones containing lower sulfide contents.  The results of the additional sampling has increased confidence in the increased widths of the mineralized envelop.  We are excited to commence drilling from underground in mid-February, this will continue to evaluate the expansion of the Cobalt mineralization."

Additional significant results from the expanded sampling, as compared to the previous intercepts, is presented in the table below:

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As previously announced, the Project is leased from Chester Mining Company subject to the Company's buy-out rights.

As previously announced, historic tonnage and grade estimates indicate that the Property contains 1,279,000 tons grading 0.59% cobalt – please refer to the Company's news release dated September 7, 2016.  Due to the age of the previous geological work completed to establish historic tonnage, the Company is treating these tonnage and grade estimates as historical estimates.   The historical estimates do not use categories that conform to current CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and have not been redefined to conform to current CIM Definition Standards.  They were prepared in the 1980s prior to the adoption and implementation of NI 43-101. The historical estimates are contained within a report entitled "Iron Creek Prospect, Lemhi County, Idaho (#0483) Progress Report" by Terry A Webster and Thomas K Stump for Noranda Exploration, Inc., July 1980, which report does not detail cut-off grades and metal prices used to estimate the historical mineralization and used a tonnage factor of 11 cubic feet per ton.  A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources.  More work, including, but not limited to, drilling, will be required to confirm the estimates to current CIM Definition Standards.  Investors are cautioned that the historical estimates do not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Property.  Other than as provided for in this press release, the Company has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical estimates or other information contained in this press release nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the accuracy of the information.  The Company believes that the historical estimates and other information contained in this press release are relevant to continuing exploration on the Property because they identify significant mineralization that will be the target of the Company's exploration program.

The drill samples and underground channel samples are collected by Company personnel or contractors working for the Company at the drill or portal. All of the Company's facilities are kept secure. The core is transported to the Company's core processing facility in Challis operated by Earl Waite and Sons Mining Contractors who are contracted by the Company.  There the core is logged, cut and sampled and subsequently delivered to the laboratory. All facilities are secure.

All core is logged for recovery and other geotechnical features, prior to being sawed lengthwise in half by the Company's contractors. Individual core samples are selected on a geological basis to characterize mineralization. The core is geologically logged and half core is stored on site as reference samples in a secure facility. The samples are bagged, labeled and tied at the core processing facility by the Company's contractors. Geologic information is recorded on standardized sample description forms which included color, rock type, alteration, mineral species and abundance. Samples are stored in a secure facility at the core processing site until delivered to the laboratory. Blanks, duplicates and standards are inserted at the core processing site as part of the QA/QC program.  The drill samples were loaded directly from the core processing facility to the truck of a shipping company and driven directly to the laboratory where the lab took custody directly from a Company employee. The sampling was overseen by Brian Kirwin, Senior Vice President Exploration for the Company.

American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Sparks, Nevada conducted the analyses of the drill core samples, and analyzed the Company's QA/QC samples at the same time, and the Company plans to utilize the services of AAL for the core samples. AAL is ISO / IEC 17025 certified and has successfully completed Canadian proficiency testing (CCRMP).  Approximately 20% of the samples analyzed are control samples consisting of checks, blanks, and duplicates inserted by the Company - this is in addition to the control samples inserted by the lab.   Correlation of the standards with expected values were excellent.  At the AAL laboratory, the drill core samples were dried, weighed  and crushed to 85 % passing -6 mesh, roll crushed to 85% passing -10 mesh, split 250 gram pulps, then pulverized in a closed bowl ring pulverizer to 95 % passing -150 mesh, then analyzed by a 5 acid digestion for ICP analysis.

Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., of Clark Exploration Consulting, is the "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical content in this press release.

For additional information please contact:

US Cobalt Inc.
Wayne Tisdale, President
T: (604) 639-4457

E: info@uscobaltinc.com
Website: www.uscobaltinc.com.

Reader Advisory
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.  In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed exploration program on the Property.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information.  Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including  governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in mining operations; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors.  Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. 

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