Tasman Announces Swedish Supreme Administrative Court Cancels Norra Karr Mining Lease

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/23/16 -- Tasman Metals Ltd. ("Tasman" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: TSM)(FRANKFURT: T61)(OTCQB: TASIF) has been notified of a decision by the Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden ("SAC") to cancel the Norra Karr Mining Lease ("ML"). This ML was granted to the Company in May 2013 by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate (Bergsstaten) and has remained in force since that time.

On the basis of a review of the process of granting of the ML, the SAC has determined that the decision by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate was incorrect, as the decision to grant the ML was not adequately supported by environmental studies into a future mining operation. As a result, the Norra Karr ML is no longer granted. The SAC decision to cancel the ML cannot be appealed. Environmental studies into a future mining operation were publically released as part of the 2015 Pre-Feasibility Study.

The Norra Karr project now reverts to an Exploration Licence ("EL") which was first granted to Tasman on 31 August, 2009. On August 31, 2015 Tasman applied for a two-year extension of this EL. The renewal of the EL is subject to appeals to the Administrative Court in Falun. If appeals are rejected, the EL will be valid until August 31, 2017 when further renewals are permissible. Under the Swedish Mining Act EL's can be extended for 11 years and up to 15 years under special circumstances.

"This surprising and disappointing decision by the SAC to withdraw the Norra Karr ML is not consistent with prior application of the Mining Act," said Mark Saxon, Tasman's President and CEO. "Tasman's ML application documents, that allowed for the granting of the ML, provided all information as required by the Mining Act. Mining cannot start on an ML before submission of a detailed mining through closure plan, a full Environmental Impact Statement and granting of an Environmental/Operating Permit. We believe the SAC decision may have a detrimental and long lasting effect on the Swedish mining industry and the view of Swedish sovereign risk for mining."

Tasman is now reviewing the findings of the SAC. Tasman remains free to reapply for a new Mining Lease at any time. The cancellation of the ML does not change Tasman's view of the potential of the Norra Karr project or the work required to begin a mining project. The ML provided no rights for mining or ground disturbance of any type, and a full Environmental Impact Statement was always required to be prepared and submitted as part of an Environmental/Operating Permit. Tasman can satisfy the interpretation of the Mining Act by the SAC with the data collected and publically reported during the Pre-Feasibility Study completed on the Norra Karr project in 2015.

On behalf of the Board,

Mark Saxon, President & CEO

The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the Frankfurt Stock Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statements. Certain statements found in this release may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect the speaker's current views with respect to future events and financial performance and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations, the implementation of the Norra Karr preliminary feasibility study, competitive factors, general economic conditions, customer relations, uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing, changes in corporate goals, unexpected expenditures, our ability to identify and close suitable acquisitions, unexpected geological conditions, success of future development initiatives, imprecision in resource estimates, ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, court rulings, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, changes in industry practices, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, environmental and safety risks, and one-time events. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially due to the uncertainties and risks, known and unknown, associated with such statements. Shareholders and other readers should not place undue reliance on "forward-looking statements," as such statements speak only as of the date of this release.

Contacts:
Tasman Metals Ltd. - Investor Information
Mariana Bermudez
+1 (604) 699 0202
[email protected]
www.tasmanmetals.com

Source: Tasman Metals Ltd.

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