GREAT WESTERN MINERALS GROUP LTD.
TSX Venture Symbol: GWG CUSIP: 39141Y 10 3
OTCQX: GWMGF
GREAT WESTERN MINERALS GROUP ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS AT STEENKAMPSKRAAL RARE EARTH PROJECT
(October 9, 2012) - Saskatoon, Canada: Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company", TSX:V - GWG) is pleased to announce management appointments that will play a key role in the Company’s continued progress at its Steenkampskraal rare earth project in South Africa.
Victor Fitzmaurice is appointed to the position of Operations General Manager with GWMG’s wholly owned subsidiary, Rare Earth Extraction Co. Limited (“Rareco”). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Rareco, Mr. Fitzmaurice is responsible for all development stages in moving Steenkampskraal toward production. He will then assume overall responsibility for day-to-day management of the rare earth mining, chloride production and separation operations located at and near Steenkampskraal.
Mr. Fitzmaurice is a Professional Engineer, holds a B.Sc. in Engineering (Mining) along with a Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Mining, Engineering and Mineral Economics) from the University of Witwatersrand, and is currently working toward a M.Sc. in Mining Engineering. He is a member of the Engineering Council of South Africa, the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa. His significant experience in senior mining positions throughout Africa, Europe and Asia has been with companies that include Gulf Mining and Exploration, AIM Resources Africa and De Beers.
Andreas Muntingh is appointed to the position of Mine Geologist where he is responsible for executing all geology related development, production and exploration activities at the Steenkampskraal mine site. Reporting directly to the Steenkampskraal Mine Manager, Mr. Muntingh will also assist in the design, implementation and execution of the Steenkampskraal regional exploration project.
Mr. Muntingh holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Geology from the University of Stellenbosch and a Masters of Business Administration from North-West University. His experience in exploration and mining geology has been gained in Australia and South Africa. Proficient in Afrikaans and English, he has previously worked in senior geological positions with companies that include Platinum Australia, Energem Resources and Trans Hex Operations.
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Quinn said, “The ability of GWMG to attract such high calibre management personnel to lead and manage our Steenkampskraal operation speaks very favorably about the potential of our project. Mr. Fitzmaurice and Mr. Muntingh are welcome additions to our Steenkampskraal team and we look forward to their significant contribution to the success of GWMG as it continues to execute its corporate goal of being a fully integrated rare earth producer.”
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. is an integrated rare earth processor. Its specialty alloys are used in the magnet, battery, defense and aerospace industries. Produced at the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Less Common Metals Limited in Birkenhead, U.K. and Great Western Technologies Inc. in Troy, Michigan, these alloys contain aluminum, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. As part of the Company’s vertical integration strategy, GWMG also holds 100% equity ownership in Rare Earth Extraction Co. Limited, which owns a 74% equity interest in the Steenkampskraal Mine in South Africa. In addition to an exploration program at Steenkampskraal, GWMG also holds interests in four active rare earth exploration and development properties in North America.
For further information, please contact Dwight Percy, Manager of Investor Relations at (306) 659-4516. Email inquiries should be made to info@gwmg.ca and the company website is located at www.gwmg.ca. Inquiries by direct mail should be addressed to Great Western Minerals Group Ltd., 219 Robin Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M8.
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