South Star Mining Announces the Selection of Final Design and Phase 1 Engineering Construction Support Team for the Santa Cruz Graphite Project

(TheNewswire)

South Star Mining Corp. ( "South Star " or "the Company" ) (TSXV: STS ) (OTC:STSBF) is pleased to announce that it has awarded the contract for final engineering design and Phase 1 construction support services to MIPTEC Engenharia e Consultoria Ltda ("MIPTEC"). MIPTEC is based in Belo Horizonte and provides full-service engineering, design and consulting services focused on mining and mineral resource sectors as well as ports and logistics terminals. The scope of work includes value engineeringproject validation for the previous design phase, preparation of the final design construction documents, construction engineering support services, as-built drawings and operations manuals. Final design work packages will be released progressively as they are completed, and the overall design schedule is estimated to be a total of 18 weeks. Project kick-off is scheduled to begin by the week of April 10 th

The Company has elected to internally manage the Phase 1 EPCM program, with MIPTEC providing the final design and engineering construction support services. The owner's team will include all major engineering disciplines to oversee the EPCM project implementation program, construction supervision and quality control & assurance. Phase 1 operations for the 5,000 tpy pilot plant operations are fully licensed, and the Company is preparing to mobilize contractors in August 2021 with commercial production targeted for Q4 2022.

Richard Pearce, President and CEO of South Star , commented: "I am very pleased to announce that we have selected MIPTEC to provide final design and construction engineering support services. They have a great team, and I was impressed with their creativity and flexible design approach. We have recently contracted the General Manager to oversee the final design phase and ensure everything is in place for construction. We flew the site last week to get updated aerial imagery and precise topography for the final design. Geotechnical drill rigs are scheduled to mobilize in mid April. The team is taking shape, and we are pushing hard to keep everything advancing according to schedule. We are swiftly moving into the construction and production phases and intend to become the first new graphite mine in continuous commercial production in the Americas in over a decade. It's a dream come true to see the plans taking shape, the team coming together and to be thinking about hiring construction support services and qualifying contractors. It's a whole new mindset, and the team is very energized."

About South Star Mining Corp.

South Star Mining Corp. is focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in Brazil. South Star is driven to create fundamental value in the battery metals sector for clients and investors with real projects that have strong intrinsic financial and operating metrics, and that can be profitable throughout the resource cycle. South Star has an experienced executive team with a strong history of discovering, developing, building and operating profitable mines in Brazil.

The Santa Cruz Graphite Project ("the Project"), located in Southern Bahia, is the first of a series of battery metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. The Project has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot plant testing (>30t) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of Cg concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95-99% Cg. With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star is carrying its development plan towards Phase 1 production projected in Q4 2022, pending financing. To learn more, please visit the Company website at https://www.southstarmining.ca .

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, P. Eng, a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Mining.

On behalf of the Board,

Mr. Richard Pearce

Chief Executive Officer

For additional information, please contact:

CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

Phone: 416-868-1079 x251

Email: cathy@chfir.com

Mr. Dave McMillan

Chairman

Email: davemc@telus.net

Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarmining

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarmining/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-star-mining-corp/

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

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

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

Copyright (c) 2021 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.