EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Oct. 16, 2014) - Mindoro Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MIO)(FRANKFURT:WKN 906167) is pleased to advise that shipping of high-iron/low-nickel direct shipping ore (DSO) material has commenced at the Agata Project, located in northern Mindanao, the Philippines.

Loading of 55,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of material, grading minimum 48% iron and 0.6% nickel, commenced on October 12 and is expected to take 10 to 12 days to complete. It is anticipated that future shipments of 55,000 wmt high-iron/low nickel DSO will continue approximately every three to four weeks with shipping rates expected to accelerate to 2.5 million wmt per year in 2015.

Photos of the loading process are available at the following link: http://www.mindoro.com/i/pdf/2014-10-14-DSO-Shippings.pdf and on www.sedar.com and www.mindoro.com.

An initial offtake agreement was signed in June 2014 by Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (a joint venture company held by Mindoro's Philippine subsidiary, MRL Nickel Phils., Inc., and joint venture partner TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc.), and Tewoo Hoperay (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, a subsidiary of Tianjin Hoperay Mineral Limited Company, a major Chinese State Owned Enterprise, to sell one million wet metric tonnes of high-iron/low nickel DSO. A second agreement was signed in August 2014 to sell five hundred thousand wet metric tonnes. Advance payments of US$2 million have been received by the joint venture against the initial agreement to fund initial operating costs and a further US$1 million advance is expected in connection with the second agreement.

Mindoro also advises that its joint venture partner and operator of the Agata Project, TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc. ("TVIRD"), an affiliate of TVI Pacific Inc. (TSX:TVI) (OTCQX:TVIPF), has fulfilled its earn-in obligations under the Agata Mining Joint Venture agreement and has acquired a 60% interest in the Agata DSO Project.

ABOUT THE AGATA PROJECT

The Agata Project is located in Agusan del Norte province, within the Surigao mining region on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. The Surigao region is a major nickel producing region providing ore to processing plants in Australia, China, Korea and Japan. The region has hosted between thirteen and fifteen DSO operations since 2011 and exported 27 million wet metric tonnes in 2013.

On September 10, 2013, Mindoro and its joint venture partner and operator of the Agata Project, TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc., an affiliate of TVI Pacific Inc. (TSX:TVI) (OTCQX:TVIPF), released a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study indicating robust economics for a DSO operation of the high iron laterite resources at the Agata Project. The Feasibility Study concluded:

• Low initial start-up capital of US$10.1 million, high Internal Rate of Return of 187% and payback within the first year of operation;
• Post-tax Net Present Value (10% discount) of US$37.9 million; and,
• DSO product to grade 48% Fe and 0.9% Ni - a product in consistent demand.

An NI 43-101 Compliant Mineral Resource estimate released on April 10, 2013 shows the Agata DSO project to have reported Proven and Probable Reserves of 9.70 million wmt with a grade of 48% Fe with 0.9% Ni. The report is available for viewing on www.sedar.com and www.mindoro.com.

In addition to market demand factors, DSO prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations influenced by weather patterns. During the monsoon season, from approximately November to February, the rough ocean off the east coast of the Mindanao peninsula prohibits shipping. DSO projects on the west coast, where Agata is located, are more sheltered and can ship ore 12 months a year and take advantage of potential seasonal price spikes.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Penny Gould, CEO and Director