December 22md, 2015, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”)  is pleased to announce its latest outcrop sampling assay results and the discovery of a new lump-vein graphite-bearing zone at its Buckingham Graphite Project in Southern Quebec.

A total of 18 outcrop samples were taken from two areas: (1) a newly-discovered lump-vein bearing graphitic zone located approximately 300 metres northeast along strike from the current drilling area and; (2) in and around the zone of current drilling.

New Lump-Vein Bearing Graphitic Zone Sampling

Nine outcrop samples were taken from the newly discovered location 300 metres north of the current drilling area and consist of a mixture of disseminated and lump-vein samples. Graphitic showings were sampled over approximately 80 metres in this area, including an exposure consisting of fractured pegmatite measuring at least 30 metres across and containing crystalline lump-vein graphite in fractures. Lump vein samples from this area assayed up to 68.0% Cg and sampling highlights from this area are shown in Table 1.

Drilling Area Sampling

9 outcrop samples were taken in and around the area of current drilling and consist entirely of disseminated graphite. The positive assay results in this area provide further evidence of continuity of mineralization between drilling locations and projection of mineralization identified in drill intervals towards the surface. Highlights from sampling in this area are shown in Table 2.

Readers may refer to the maps available on the Ashburton website for sample locations and drilling:

http://www.ashburtonventures.com/?page=project&id=1003

The company also wishes to update readers that assay results from the current drilling campaign are expected in early January.

Table 1.  Lump-Vein Bearing Graphitic Zone Sampling Highlights:

Sample ID

Mineralization Type

Northing

Easting

Cg %

36566

Disseminated

5055065

460612

14.3

36568

Disseminated

5055041

460605

12.2

36569

Lump vein

5055017

460603

36.0

36570

Lump vein

5055014

460602

68.0

36571

Lump vein + wall rock

5054988

460597

8.82

Table 2.  Drilling Area Outcrop Sampling Highlights:

Sample ID

Mineralization

Type

Northing

Easting

Cg %

01501

Disseminated

5054897

460586

13.3

01502

Disseminated

5054641

460483

17.1

01505

Disseminated

5054516

460474

20.1

01506

Disseminated

5054528

460461

21.7

01507

Disseminated

5054533

460463

28.6

01508

Disseminated

5054540

460541

18.5

01509

Disseminated

5054554

460446

22.6

01510

Disseminated

5054556

460454

26.4

Samples were treated at SGS Lakefield, Ontario, using method number GE/GO/GC_CS and code A05V. Graphitic carbon was determined by multistage furnace treatment and infrared detection on LECO instrumentation.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Mr. Case Lewis, P.Geo., Director of Ashburton and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About the Buckingham Graphite Project

The Buckingham Graphite Project consists of 28 claims located in Ranges VIII and IX, Buckingham Township, Quebec and covers an area of 1,683 hectares. The property is located 1.7 kilometers north of the historic, producing Walker Graphite Mine. Helicopter-borne magnetic and time-domain electromagnetic surveys located a historic conductor, and further resolved a second parallel conductor to a length of 300 meters (see Cavan release, September 24, 2013). Historic airborne electromagnetic surveys have identified additional conductors striking over a large portion of the Buckingham Graphite Project.

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration with mineral projects in Canada and Nevada, USA.

If you would like to be added the news release distribution please get in touch with us at [email protected].

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed “Michael England”
Michael England, President

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995
Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770
www.ashburtonventures.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Ashburton Ventures Inc. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.