OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 15, 2013) - Torch River Resources Ltd. ("Torch" or the "Company") (News - Market indicators) (FRANKFURT:WNF) (PINKSHEETS:TORVF), is pleased to announce the results of two test programs on its lump graphite from the Company's Walker Graphite property in Quebec. The combination of higher reagent concentration and longer retention times in the fifth test provided the 99.1%C best result. This positions the Company's graphite as being fully suited for a wide range of high purity applications.

The test work was carried out at Process Research Ortech in Mississauga, Ontario and lab analysis was done at Activation Laboratories Inc. (Actlabs) in Ancaster, Ontario. The goal of the tests was to assess the potential of the Walker lump graphite to be upgraded to 95-99%C, which is considered to be commercially marketable levels. The first program consisted of a series of grinding and flotation stages, as well as a caustic leaching process. Material used in the testing was assembled during the Company's sampling program announced in July, 2013 which outlined naturally occurring in situ grades of 89.5%C. As the table below indicates, the upgrade process was successful in increasing this to a preliminary upgrade of 97.3%C. This is generally considered to be suitable for a wide range of product applications in the graphite sector. Sample material was also weighed before and after testing to assess yield recoveries. As the table also indicates the tests were successful in producing very favourable yields which will be important in maintaining a low cost base when mineral processing the Walker graphite.

Following this initial test phase, the same material was then subjected to three different variations on the caustic leaching process. In the first test, the leaching retention time was increased from four to six hours. In the second, the caustic concentration was increased to 50% and retention time was again six hours. And in the third, the material was subjected to a regrind stage that decreased particle sizes from 47 microns down to 20 microns. Reagent concentration and retention time was 50% and six hours respectively in the third test as well. As the table below indicates, test results also provided by ActLabs indicate that the Company was successful in increasing the grade up to 99%C+ in both the fourth and fifth variations of the simple and cost-effective leaching process. The combination of higher reagent concentration and longer retention times in the fifth test provided the 99.1%C best result. As noted above, this positions the Company's graphite as being fully suited for a wide range of high purity applications.

These positive test results are also consistent with the Company's belief that the Walker Graphite property contains economically upgradeable deposits of lump graphite and should therefore be the focus of a full geologic development program in the months ahead. This program commenced in early October with a preliminary beep mapping survey to examine for conductors, and will be followed by an airborne EM survey shortly thereafter. Results from both of these next stages will form the basis for an initial historical NI 43-101 report on Walker, and the Wallingford and St. Jovite properties, also in Quebec, which the Company previously announced that it had entered into a non-arm's length non- binding agreement to acquire. Upon completion of the preliminary report, the Company will develop and define a comprehensive drill program to properly quantify the size and extent of its lump graphite deposits. The drill results and expanded NI 43-101 will be used to prepare a pre and/or full feasibility study as part of the definitive effort to bring the properties into production as soon as possible. The low-cost production opportunity provided by lump graphite will permit the development of an optimized flow sheet that should similarly result in low capital expenditure requirement to process the lump graphite. Mr. Ogilvie noted "the direct results of a low-cost recovery operation and capital budget are one of the principal guiding reasons for our focus on lump graphite, be it in Quebec or Sri Lanka. On that basis we will be making every conceivable effort to move forward rapidly with our plans to establish economically successful production facilities in both locations."

Graphite continues to be considered a key strategic element in numerous product applications in global markets around the world, and also holds enormous potential in the emerging high-purity applications incorporating graphene. Lump graphite in particular shares virtually all of the same qualities as flake graphite, particularly in terms of the highly ordered crystalline structure in both. This permits product applications that require uniformity in terms of processing behaviours and subsequent application situations. Graphite gaskets for example require a high degree of compressibility, formability and thermal and chemical resistance qualities. The same type of crystalline uniformity is critical in battery applications where it ensures the effective transfer of electrons and lithium ions across battery cells to permit efficient charge and discharge qualities.

As the Torch team approaches a decade of graphite development work, they know how critically important it is for companies entering the graphite business to fully understand the customer mindset when preparing to offer products.

Customers will be concerned with each graphite deposit's unique "chemical signature" which may or may not fit with their existing supply streams. If the graphite contains unacceptable impurities it may not immediately blend with the customer's broader range of graphite supply streams. If that is the case, the customer may have to tailor their own internal production processes. Such decisions are not made lightly so new graphite suppliers can expect to undergo rigorous test protocols not only to assess processing parameters, but also suitability in the end products themselves. Too many parts per million (ppm) of one impurity or another and a graphite product may not perform as required.

The quality control standards are therefore exacting and require companies such as Torch to continually submit product, undergo testing and maintain a robust internal research & development capability as it moves forward to becoming a long- term supplier. On this point Mr. Ogilvie echoes the sentiments of his entire management team when he notes that "a lot of companies vastly underestimate the length of time it will take to succeed in the graphite business. Three to five years to become fully established with a customer in the base graphite business is not uncommon, and that is after you managed to design, build, and commission a new mine and mill. They also underestimate the complexity associated with understanding and working with graphite specs ranging from crystallinity, purity, intercalated internal structures, surface areas, and conductivity and corrosion resistance - At Torch we do not. We have spent extensive time working with customers to understand that product development and adoption cycle and know how rigorous the process can be. As I've already noted, that is also one of the many reasons we focused on lump graphite as it offers us the opportunity to shorten that development cycle, lower our costs, and permit us to more quickly enter the graphite market space. As such we are confident that with consistent execution of our business plans we can rapidly be in production and servicing a wide range of profitable market segments. We feel that with high in-situ purities, low cost production benefits, and near-term production potential, lump graphite stands out clearly from flake, amorphous, and a few of the fringe versions of graphite currently being promoted. Those are powerful differentiators and we continue to make all efforts to raise that awareness with customers that are fully versed in the potential and cost advantages offered by lump graphite. We look forward to keeping our shareholders, investors and the public fully informed on our progress as we develop our Canadian and Sri Lankan projects".

About Lump/Vein Graphite

Lump or Vein graphite is considered to be one of the rarest, commercially valuable, and highest quality types of natural graphite. It occurs in veins along intrusive contacts in solid lumps and is only actively mined in Sri Lanka. As a result of the carbon content typically found with lump/vein graphite recovery operations, costs will normally be lower than flake or amorphous graphite recovery. Lump graphite processing techniques can include everything from hand sorting of large concentrated samples to standard crushing, grinding, froth flotation and milling. Lump/vein graphite is suitable for many of the same applications as flake graphite giving it a distinct competitive edge in terms market prices and product applications.

The Company's geologist, Ms. Isabelle Robillard, P. Geo., (an Associate of Inlandsis Consultants s.e.n.c.) is an Independent Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the technical information in this news release.

About Torch River Resources

Torch is a publicly traded junior mining exploration company with a number of mining claims. The Walker property consists of 4 claims covering the past mine and 11 claims covering interesting geological context for more graphite mineralization in the region around the deposit, which is located 40 km north-east of Ottawa. The Mount Copeland molybdenum deposit lies within metamorphic rocks flanking the southern margin of Frenchman Cap Dome, 32 kilometers northwest of Revelstoke, British Columbia (the "Mount Copeland Property"). The Fort-Eden copper property is comprised of 18 mineral tenures that total 2,828.6 hectares in area. The mineral claims are located 100 km west of Fort St. James, BC (the "Fort Eden Property"). The Red Bird deposit is comprised of three zones of molybdenum concentration referred to as the Main, Southeast and Southwest zones within a property totaling 1,836 ha (4,400 acres) and is located 133 km southwest of Burns Lake and 105 km north of Bella Coola (the "Red Bird Property"). The Company plans to divest (the "Divestitures") each of the Mount Copeland Property, the Fort Eden Property and the Red Bird Property through a sale or joint venture, thus allowing it to focus on building a graphite mining company. On August 14, 2013 the Company announced that it entered into a non-arm's length non-binding agreement to acquire new lump graphite properties in Quebec (the "Wallingford and Jovite Acquisitions"). On October 9, 2013, the Company announced that it entered into a non-arm's length non-binding agreement with Han Tal Graphite (Pvt) Ltd. to acquire new lump graphite properties in Sri Lanka (the "Han Acquisition" and together with the Wallingford and Jovite Acquisitions, the "Acquisitions").

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.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Torch's business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "intends" "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such forward-looking statements include those with respect to the Company's intention to complete the Acquisition, the quality and grade of graphite that may be produced from the Acquisitions, the volume of production that may be achieved from the mines, the period of time required to re-activate the mines, the ability of Torch to achieve revenue and earnings targets, become a low-cost producer, and position itself as a global supplier of graphite.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially. The forward-looking statements in this news release assume, inter alia, that the conditions for completion of the Acquisitions and Divestitures, including regulatory approval, will be met, and that assuming completion of the Acquisitions Torch will be able to successfully re-activate the mines, that the grade and quality of the graphite produced is high-quality and consistent with current expectations and that there are no other material obstacles to pursuing the re-activation strategy or achieving the projected production rates.

Although Torch believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. There are risks which could affect Torch's ability to complete the proposed merger and the future results of the merged company which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements including negotiation failure or delay, the impact of general global economic conditions and the risk that they will deteriorate, industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of supplies and the risk that they will increase, that required consents and approvals from regulatory authorities will not be obtained, that activity in the lump or vein graphite business will not be at the level or of the nature anticipated, liabilities and risks inherent in Torch's operations, technical problems, equipment failure and construction delay.

Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward- looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Torch assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.