Augusta Announces the Development of Monitoring System Based on Fiber Bragg Grating Technology

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 19, 2014) - Augusta Industries Inc. (the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:AAO) is proud to announce that it has developed a packaged system to measure strains based on existing Fiber Bragg Grating ("FBG") technology. The optical strain gauges used in FBG are very robust to external noise (including EMI and RFI noise) and easy to use. The system can either be spot-welded or bonded to any prepared surface and, depending on the location and orientation of the optical sensor, will be able to measure various strain components. As an example, by aligning the gauges linearly with a pipe, a customer will be able to measure local strains due to the deflection of the pipe. By having three (3) or more sensors at various positions, customers will now be able to detect deflection strains and determine the angle of deflection from the neutral plane.

The FBG systems can also be used in civil infrastructure applications. The systems can be used to monitor strains in steel, wood and concrete structures on small to very large structures. Like all of the other Corporation's non-intrusive technologies, the FBG systems operate on a continuous basis. Data is sent by the system to the Corporation's servers by way of a wireless modem for storage and analysis. This data is then made available to the customer through a secure web portal.

Continuing development of the FGB system has added extended temperature capabilities (-40°C to +85°C), higher channel count with the development of an 8-channel optical switch and increased local computing power. The Corporation is also able to customize the FGB system to provide higher acquisition speed versions that can be used to measure dynamic strains up to 5 KHz.

The Corporation intends to development a portable version of the FGB system by the end of 2014. It is anticipated that the portable version will be used primarily for non-critical applications that do not require continuous monitoring. This unit will be specifically designed for use in the field.

The Corporation will continue to develop engineering and hardware solutions that will continue to meet, if not exceed, current industry requirements for continuous/periodic non-intrusive strain monitoring.

About the Corporation:

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Marcon International Inc. ("Marcon") and FOX TEK Canada Inc. ("Fox Tek"), the Corporation provides a variety of services and products to a number of clients.

Marcon is an industrial supply contractor servicing the energy sector and a number of US Government entities. Marcon's principal business is the sale and distribution of industrial parts and equipment (Electrical, mechanical and Instrumentation.) In addition to departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, Marcon's major clients include Saudi Arabia-Sabic Services (Refining and Petrochemical), Bahrain National Gas Co, Bahrain Petroleum, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Gas, Qatar Petrochemical, Gulf of Suez Petroleum, Agiba Petroleum and Burullus Gas Co.

Fox Tek develops non-intrusive asset health monitoring sensor systems for the oil and gas market to help operators track the thinning of pipelines and refinery vessels due to corrosion/erosion, strain due to bending/buckling and process pressure and temperature. The Corporation's FT fiber optic sensor and corrosion monitoring systems allow cost-effective, 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities to improve scheduled maintenance operations, avoid unnecessary shutdowns, and prevent accidents and leaks.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimates of future events. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are detailed from time to time in the Corporation's periodic reports filed with the Ontario Securities Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Corporation has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.