Vertical Exploration Inc. announced the start of a Phase I exploration program on its recently acquired Quebec wollastonite properties to detect and define the presence of sedimentary zones that could potentially host wollastonite mineralization. The two Quebec properties recently acquired by the Company are located in the region surrounding Vertical's St-Onge project as follows: the La Petite Rivière Péribonka and Ménard Wollastonite claims located just north of Lac-Saint-Jean, consisting of a total of 35 mining titles (1960 hectares); and the Le Grand Étang Block claims, consisting of 11 mining titles (616 hectares). Both of these properties are characterized by a geological sequence of marble, undifferentiated calco-silicate rocks and quartzite.

These two properties are still at an early stage of exploration; however, their stratigraphic sequence can be traced over a distance of several kilometers and may lead to new wollastonite discoveries. The Phase I program will include a ground geophysics survey and a follow-up field campaign consisting of prospecting, mapping and rock sampling (trenching and channel sampling). A detailed review of all results and information compiled by previous vendors of the properties and the Government of Quebec is currently being undertaken by the Company in order to generate the primary target zones for the Phase I exploration program.

Following the completion of the Phase I program, Vertical is also planning to initiate a follow-up Phase II core drilling program this summer based on the Phase I results. Finally, a review of all results acquired during both the Phase I and II programs may also lead to a more advanced preliminary bulk sampling program later this summer and fall in order to help better define the geochemical nature of the potential wollastonite zones. The region surrounding the two properties is also well known for several nickel showings, so Vertical will also be expanding its exploration interests in order to generate potential exploration targets for nickel and other base metals on its prospective properties.