Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)("Ashburton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that BC Bud Depot's Research and Development facility on Salt Spring Island has placed an initial twenty-ton zeolite order based on the encouraging results of an ongoing study into the effects of Ashburton's Z-1 Zeolite and ZMM T-Carbon on cannabis growth and productivity.

The study has entered its third and final phase with the current harvest of all 72 plants providing scientific data. Phase Two samples, of plant tissue and soil, are currently at MB Labs in Sidney, BC, a Health Canada certified cannabis analytics laboratory.

Phase One data revealed notable trends corresponding to the Z-1 zeolite and zeolite-carbon enrichment of the growth medium. Reduced pathogens in liquid runoff from amended soils suggests a cleaner root zone with fewer factors to inhibit cannabis productivity. Highlights include:

• Up to 85% less Staphylococcus bacteria;
• Up to 90% less of total Coliforms;
• Up to 48% less of Lactose Fermenters;
• Up to 62% less Yeast and Fungi.
  

The Company's Z-1 Zeolite also prevented wasteful leaching of five critical nutrients to cannabis production - nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium - allowing higher levels to remain available for plant uptake. Plants in straight coconut fibre lost up to 438% more nutrient during irrigation.

According to facility operator Edward Bielert, "We're seeing healthier plants that are noticeably heavier as we hang them up to dry. It's safe to say that zeolite makes some difference to yields, but we harvest in stages, top buds first, so we don't have final weight numbers yet."

Bielert added, "What we do already know, and what impacts us immensely, is the labour we'll save by planting our whole farm with zeolite. We were surprised by how much water zeolite soaks up - plants potted with zeolite required irrigation only half as often. That's hundreds of man-hours saved in a crop cycle. Z-1 Zeolite will revolutionize operations here."

Initially BC Bud Depot's Research and Development facility have placed a twenty-ton Purchase Order of Z-1 clinoptilolite Zeolite. Processing this premium-grade zeolite will begin at the Z-1 Quarry imminently, as the Cache Creek evacuation order has been lifted.

"We're pleased to take our initial order from the cannabis industry. Mr. Bielert has strong ties to the Canadian Licensed Producer [LP] community," stated Tim Harvey, Chief Operations Officer. "Having a cannabis farmer of his stature to showcase our product on a large scale, and having the science to establish quantitative benefits to marijuana production puts us in a strong position to convey the value that Z-1 Zeolite can add to LP cannabis operations."

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.If you would like to be added to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael England"

Michael England, CEO

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.

To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:
public://news_release_pdf/AshburtonJuly192017.pdf

Source: Ashburton Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture:ABR, FWB:ARB)

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