Vela Minerals Limited Announces Changes to Management and Directors

(via Thenewswire.ca)

January 3, 2013 - Calgary, Alberta: Vela Minerals Ltd. (the "Company") (VLA: TSX-V) announces the appointments of Braden Fletcher ("Brady") and Kent Douglas Britton as Directors and the resignation of Director Gregory Robb. Charles Chebry is the new CEO in place of Derrick Strickland. John McCaffrey is the new CFO and corporate secretary in place of Dale Hansen. The officers and directors are now:

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 |Charles Chebry, Chairman and CEO |Derrick Strickland, Director  |
 |                                 |and President                 |
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 |John McCaffrey, Director, CFO and|Dale Hansen, Director         |
 |Corp. Secretary                  |                              |
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 |Brady Fletcher, Director         |Kent Douglas Britton, Director|
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Mr. Britton brings a record of executive achievement at one of North America's leading real estate investment groups. From November 2007 to November 2009, Mr. Britton served as Chief Operating Officer, Asia, and was responsible for operations with US $180+ million in sales, 30,000 clients, 1,100 staff and 6 offices spanning 4 countries. Prior to becoming COO, Asia, Mr. Britton served as Chief Administrative Officer and Senior VP Operations. Mr. Britton also has extensive experience as investor relations professional having spent ten years working for Canadian listed companies and was a partner in his own investor relations firm. Mr. Britton has a B.A. Economics and has passed Level 2 of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Program.

Mr. Fletcher started his investment banking career with Canaccord Genuity, moving to lead Byron Capital Markets ("Bryon") Vancouver office as Managing Director. After leaving Byron, Mr. Fletcher founded Sea to Sky Equities, a boutique growth equity advisory practice. Brady has assisted a wide range of corporate clients ranging from resource issuers to technology, sustainability, and diversified industrial issuers worldwide. In the process, he has developed a reputation for the ability to expertly understand clients' strategic objectives and seek the best possible outcomes in financing, advisory, and strategic services for clients. Mr. Fletcher also serves as Director, Strategic Relationships of Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital and Director of LX Ventures, (LXV: TSX-V). Mr. Fletcher has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Queen's University.

On behalf of the Directors I would like to thank Mr. Robb for his contributions to Vela Minerals Ltd. and wish him success in his future endeavors.

Each of Mr. Britton and Mr. Fletcher has been granted 130,000 stock options. The options have been issued under the Company's existing Stock Option Plan, have an exercise price of $0.15 per share and are exercisable for a term of five years.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Per:/s/ "Charles Chebry"

Chief Executive Officer

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 news release.

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