April 11th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce that zeolite has been shipped to BC Bud Depot (BCBD) Strain Development and Test Facility 1 Gulf Islands. Zeolite field trials are to commence according to ongoing crop rotations in the 1,900-plant greenhouse facility, which features advanced light deprivation and supplementation systems to allow year-round cannabis cultivation.

Phase One is intended to determine if the filtration and aeration capacity of zeolite has potential to reduce soil-borne pests and illnesses by reducing non-beneficial bacteria, fungal spores and other microbes, insects and chemicals present in the growth medium. Testing will also monitor chemical composition and microbe biology of root zone growth media and liquid runoff. Comparative data will enumerate differences between zeolite-fortified groups and control groups consisting of standard coco coir and peat-based potting mixtures. Testing is designed to measure the impacts of zeolite’s filtration and retention capacity on the overall fertility and properties of cannabis growth media.

Microbial analysis adhering to verifiable scientific practices and internationally recognized methods at MB Labs Ltd facilities in Saanich BC will measure growth media and liquid runoff for the presence of algae and protozoa, fungi, yeasts and bacteria. Dynamic Ecoystems Crop Protection of Salt Spring Island will conduct entomological inventories to detect estimated population variances of soil-born insect pests between control and zeolite test groups.

MB Labs will also test growth media and liquid runoff samples for a range of fertility factors including Nitrogen PH, (TKN), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Organic Matter, Major and Minor Elements including Boron, Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Conductivity (Salinity) and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio. Of interest is whether zeolite confers upon growth media an increased capacity to retain beneficial nutrients and to act as a buffer against leaching and soil acidification.

The cannabis-certified MB Labs laboratory will also analyze finished marijuana samples for total potency, terpenes, flavonoids and contaminants following the field study.

“The scale of operations and growth methods deployed at our chosen test facilities will allow us to gather statistically relevant data pertaining to the root-zone fertility and ecology of cannabis grown with Z-1 zeolite quarried in Cache Creek BC,” stated Ashburton Ventures Inc. President David Gdanski. He continued, “BCBD growers are pleased to test a material with the potential to make cannabis cultivation a more successful enterprise.”

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.  If you would like to be added the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Signed “Michael England”
Michael England, CEO
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995; Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770; www.ashburtonventures.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Ashburton Ventures Inc. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither the 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

April 11th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) announces that it has entered into an amending agreement with respect to the previously-announced option financing agreement with Manitoba Minerals Pty Ltd. ("MMPL") whereby the Company will retain a 20% interest in the Thompson Bros. lithium property located in Wekusko Lake, Manitoba.

In May 2016, the Company had acquired an option over the Thompson Bros. lithium property and had simultaneously signed an option financing agreement with MMPL, pursuant to which MMPL would finance all payments and obligations relating to the option (see the Company's previous news release dated May 2, 2016).  In consideration, the Company had previously granted MMPL with options to acquire up to a 95% interest in the property.

Pursuant to the new amending agreement, MMPL will still finance all cash payments and expenditures with respect to the Thomson Bros. option, but the Company will be responsible for share payments owing to the underlying owner.  Under the underlying option agreement, the Company will issue 2.25 million common shares to the underlying owner, in annual installments of 500,000 shares, ending in April 2021.  As a result, the options granted to MMPL have been reduced, such that the Company will retain a 20% interest in the property.  The amending agreement is subject to the Company receiving prior approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Thomson Bros. lithium property is located 20km east of the mining community of Snow Lake, Manitoba, and consists of 18 contiguous claims covering 1829 hectares.  Further information about the property can be found in the Company's May 2, 2016 news release.

The Company further announces it has terminated its agreements to acquire the Whabouchi South, Whabouchi West and the Whabouchi Southern Extension properties.

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia, Canada. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Signed “Michael England”
Michael England, CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Telephone: 1-604-683-3995; Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770; www.ashburtonventures.com

Neither the 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.