TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - May 12, 2015) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Sherritt International Corporation ("Sherritt") (TSX:S.TO) is pleased to announce that it has won the 2015 Syncrude Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development for its sustainability work at the Ambatovy Joint Venture in Madagascar. The award, issued by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), acknowledges companies or individuals that are "active seekers of sustainability solutions."

At a ceremony in Montreal on May 11, Sherritt was recognized for successfully implementing a range of sustainable mining solutions at Ambatovy, including a biodiversity management program that targets "no net loss"; a "buy locally, hire locally" policy that is supported by several leading-edge initiatives; agricultural skills training for more than 18,000 people from local communities; developmental partnerships with international organizations such as the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Red Cross; and innovative archeological and retrenchment programs.

"Winning this award is an important achievement, as sustainable mining is core to our business," said Sherritt's President and CEO, David Pathe. "It is a proxy for good management and something that all our stakeholders have come to expect. We are very proud of the work in Madagascar, and I congratulate the entire team at Ambatovy that works tirelessly to ensure we are creating lasting benefits wherever we operate."

The Syncrude Award is the fourth sustainability award Sherritt has received in the past 18 months for its work in Madagascar. The other awards include:

• Nedbank Capital Sustainable Business Award for Ambatovy's biodiversity program
• Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award in the social enterprise creation category for the Ambatovy Local Business Initiative
• UNAIDS's Good Practice Award for Ambatovy's contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Madagascar

As outlined in it its Sustainability Framework, Sherritt is committed to providing a safe and rewarding workplace, operating ethically, demonstrating environmental responsibility, engaging stakeholders and benefitting communities.

About Sherritt
Sherritt is a world leader in the mining and refining of nickel from lateritic ores with projects and operations in Canada, Cuba, and Madagascar. The Corporation is the largest independent energy producer in Cuba, with extensive oil and power operations across the island. Sherritt licenses its proprietary technologies and provides metallurgical services to mining and refining operations worldwide. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "S".