TORONTO, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - Mantis Mineral Corp., ('Mantis' - CNSX 'MYN') is pleased to announce that it has acquired all of the core that was generated from a 2001 drill program that tested the Case pegmatite for its tantalum potential.

The NQ (47.6 mm or 1.87 in) diameter core, totaling 508.8-meters, representing seven holes, was recently retrieved from its field storage site. The integrity of the core is excellent, in terms of; overall state, core tray condition, sample interval preservation, and total core preservation.

Mantis is very pleased with the integrity of the core. The company can now move forward to more thoroughly assess the pegmatite. In the past, the Case Pegmatite was evaluated for its tantalum potential, limited assaying was done for lithium, rubidium, and other rare elements and rare earth metals. Re-sampling of the core will generate 43-101 compliant data, which will be used to help formulate future exploration programs for the Case Pegmatite.

Previous results reported by Mantis, in past press releases, were largely extracted from assay lab certified data of channel cuts, representative of the zones at surface and limited drill core sampling. Those results are nevertheless very significant and provide a strong base for further evaluation.

Tantalum

The 2001 drill program which drill tested the open-ended North and Main dikes, explored the dikes along a 150-meter strike to a 70-meter vertical depth. Tantalum grades were reported to be comparable to major world deposits. Mantis is currently in the process of reviewing this data and will be commenting on these findings shortly.

Rubidium

Six, saw-cut channels were cut across the North, Main and South dikes, two across the 'North' dike, three across the 'Main' dike and one across the 'South' dike. Available results are summarized below. Sample length from channels was maintained at 1-meter.

           ------------------------------------------------------
            Dike    Channel Cut    Width-meters    Rubidium g/t
           ------------------------------------------------------
            North       SC-1            4.0            1148
            North       SC-2            4.0            2053
            Main        SC-3            9.0            2878
            South       SC-6           12.0            1698
           ------------------------------------------------------
            Note: no assays available for SC-4 and 5, from the Main dike.
            Assay interval - grade is composite calculated weighted average.

Lithium

Historical data indicates that the North and Central Dikes of the Case pegmatite complex are spodumene bearing and collectively host a tonnage of pegmatite material exceeding two million (2,000,000) tons. From this data an average lithium content for the spodumene bearing zones expressed as Li(2)O is 1.22%.*

The Case pegmatite has been identified as being the fifth largest lithium bearing pegmatite in the Superior geologic Province of Ontario (ref: OFR 6195 page- 109) consisting of three dikes dimensionally summarized below:

    South Dike(1)   (10-meter thickness by (greater than)250-meter strike
                     length)
    Central Dike    (39-meter thickness by (greater than)350-meter strike
                     length)
    North Dike      (12-meter thickness by (greater than)100-meter strike
                     length)(2)

    (1) Note: South Dike does not contain the lithium mineral spodumene.
    (2) Note: reference source Ontario Geological Survey, OFR 6195 page 113.

Note: Lithium values from the seven hole drill program conducted by Platinova were only reported in drill hole 2 and in channel cut samples.

Commented Robin Ross CEO: "This is a very constructive development for Mantis. We can now assess the Case pegmatite by reference to the excellent historical drill logs, maps and cross sections with our own generated compliant data. After we thoroughly sample the core we will have complete assay data results to report and more importantly to use as a base to implement future exploration. I am convinced that as we expand its potential and given the Case pegmatite's proximity to infrastructure, this asset will quickly prove its significant value to Mantis and its shareholders."

As the potential of the Case Pegmatite evolves, through continued compilation work, Mantis is planning a summer exploration program of mapping, geophysics and drilling.

* Cautionary note: Tonnage and grades are conceptual and do not imply or indicate a resource as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The property requires a program of definition drilling before any resource estimates are attached to it.

This news release has been viewed and approved by Walter Hanych, Senior Geologist and Project Manager, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by the Company. While these assays do not conform to National Instrument 43-101 they are generally considered reliable according to local industry standards.

About Mantis Mineral Corp.

Mantis Mineral Corp. is a Canadian based resource and exploration company traded publicly under the symbol MYN on the CNSX. Mantis is focused on creating shareholder value through the exploration and development of its suite of strategically located, high-impact Canadian exploration projects.

The CNSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

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