Exploration Orbite: Filing of New Patent Application for an Innovative Method to Separate Efficiently Iron From Aluminum

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 27, 2011) - Exploration Orbite (TSX VENTURE:ORT.A) is pleased to announce that it has filed an application for a new patent on another radical innovation for separation methods used for iron-aluminum mixtures. The provisional patent application (US 61/508,950) was initially filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office by Montreal firm Bereskin & Parr.

These new methods will notably enable iron atoms to be easily, efficiently and economically separated from the aluminum atoms contained in mineral ore.

"The filing of our new patent application covers a key technology central to the Orbite process. It helps increase radically the cost-effectiveness and throughput speed of the company's unique alumina preparation process while simultaneously reducing the chemicals required," explained Richard Boudreault, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orbite. "This represents a considerable environmental benefit and is further evidence of the primary importance that Orbite places on this aspect."

The new patent application expands the patent portfolio of Exploration Orbite to six different families. Of note is that within these six families are 17 patent applications filed with authorities in some 10 countries.

Appointment of Guy Boucher as Legal Counsel and Head of Sustainable Development

Orbite is also pleased to announce the appointment of Guy Boucher as Legal Counsel and Head of Sustainable Development. Mr. Boucher is a senior executive with extensive experience in legal affairs and sustainable development, particularly within the natural resources domain. Prior to joining Orbite, Mr. Boucher spent a number of years with Domtar in top executive positions that included Vice-President, Sustainable Development and Vice-President, Legal Services and Environmental Affairs. As such, he was responsible for sustainability issues as well as many legal aspects of the company's commercial activities.

"With more than 20 years' experience, Mr. Boucher brings solid expertise to Orbite on a number of levels. His environmental affairs background will help guide and strengthen Orbite's ongoing commitment to apply the best ecological practices to the extraction of alumina, stated Mr. Boudreault. "With his experience and knowledge, he will greatly contribute to the next phase of Orbite's development: the development and exploitation of its indicated resources in a sustainable way as well as enable better transactions with major companies in the aluminum and natural resources industries."

Mr. Boucher holds a license in civil law (LL.L.) from the Barreau du Québec and a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) from the University of Ottawa.

"I am delighted to be joining the Orbite team, whose experienced members are known for their visionary approach, success record, extensive know-how, and strong commitment to sustainable development," affirmed Mr. Boucher.

On July 18, 2011, Mr. Guy Boucher was awarded 300,000 options under Orbite's stock option plan. These shares, whose exercise price was set at $3.29 each, will be attributed in three equal parts over the next three years and will expire on July 18, 2016.

About Orbite

Orbite owns 100% of the exclusive mining rights on its 6,441-hectare Grande-Vallée property, the site of an aluminous clay deposit located 32 km northeast of Murdochville, and a 28,000 sq. ft. at scale facility in Cap Chat, both in the Gaspé region. The latest NI 43-101 report issued has identified an Indicated Resource varying between 800 million and 1 billion tonnes of aluminous clay in a small part of the deposit, thus representing approximately half-century of the total current Canadian alumina imported. The higher quality metallurgical alumina produced by Orbite's process has been independently utilized by internationally renowned facilities such as INRS and SINTEF to produce high quality aluminum, thus validating end-to-end the quality of Orbite's alumina.

The Corporation also owns the intellectual property rights to a unique Canada and U.S.-patented process, a radical innovation aimed at extracting alumina from aluminous ores and for which other international patents are also pending. The patented Orbite process can be considered a disruptive innovation according to the definition given by Harvard University professor Clayton Christensen, since it has the potential to become a viable substitute for the Bayer process currently used by the aluminum industry. Orbite is planning on offering smelter grade (SGA) and high purity alumina (HPA) as well as licensing its technologies to well qualified producers. www.orbitealuminae.com

Disclaimer – Safe Harbour Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the future financial conditions, results of operations or business of Orbite. These statements may be current expectations and estimates about the markets in which Orbite operates and management's beliefs and assumptions regarding these markets. These statements are subject to important risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate. The results or events predicted in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Orbite disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.