Mason Graphite strengthens management team with Senior Director of Process Development

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS./

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Mason Graphite Inc. (TSX.V: LLG) ("Mason Graphite" or the "Company") announces the appointment of Mr. Jean L'Heureux, P.Eng, as Senior Director of Process Development effective February 1, 2013.

"We are delighted to welcome Mr. Jean L'Heureux to our team," said Benoît Gascon, CEO of Mason Graphite. "His extensive experience at Timcal/Imerys and his understanding of the graphite industry will be an asset to the core management team of Mason Graphite and will be invaluable in the development and operation of the Lac Guéret Project."

Mr. Jean L'Heureux is a professional metallurgical engineer and member of the "OIQ" ("Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec") who has been involved in the mining and processing of graphite for over 20 years with the Imerys Group in Quebec and in France. Since 2000, he has been the Product Manager, Refractory and Metallurgy for Timcal. Mr. L'Heureux's main responsibilities in these various roles were:

• Optimization of natural graphite production, sales and inventories
• Optimization of commercial products based on customers' specifications
• Flow-sheet optimization at the Lac-des-Iles natural graphite mine in Quebec
• Marketing and technical support to sales for refractory and metallurgy applications
• Managing of all external natural graphite purchasing activities

Mr. L'Heureux obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree at Laval University in Quebec City and is currently enrolled in a Master's Degree in Engineering Management at Sherbrooke University.

Mason Graphite also announces the resignation of Mr. Benoit Moreau, who acted as Mason Graphite's President, Chief Operating Officer and Director.  Mr. Moreau will focus all his time and efforts on another Forbes & Manhattan company, Copper One Inc., for which he acts as President and CEO. Mr. Moreau commented, "In preparation for a large exploration program planned later this year, it is in the best interest of both Companies that I focus all my energy and efforts on Copper One." Mr. Moreau remains within the Forbes & Manhattan group and will be available to provide assistance if required. Mason Graphite thanks Mr. Moreau for having successfully undertaken the exploration program of the Lac Guéret Project.

About Mason Graphite

Mason Graphite is a Canadian mining company focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Lac Guéret graphite property, which is located in northeastern Québec near the main service center of Baie-Comeau.  The Lac Guéret graphite property currently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource of about 300,000 tonnes at 24.4% Cgr in the Measured category and 7.3 million tonnes at 20.2% Cgr in the Indicated category. (See news release issued on July 16, 2012). Exploration potential exists on the property with the current Mineral Resource based on exploration of only 17% of one well defined zone. Mason Graphite is led by Benoit Gascon, CA CMA, who has held 20 years of executive positions at Timcal, including over 6 years as CEO. Timcal, now owned by Imerys, is one of the largest graphite producers in the world.

Other Information

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

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 News Release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

SOURCE: Mason Graphite Inc.

For further information please visit www.masongraphite.com or contact:

Toronto Office
65 Queen Street West, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2M5

Investor Relations
[phone]
[email protected]

Simon Marcotte, Vice-President Corporate Development
[phone]

Montreal Office
2000 McGill College ave., Suite 2210
Montreal, PQ  H3A 3H3

Benoît Gascon, CEO
[phone]