GREAT WESTERN MINERALS LTD (GWMGF)

[Pro-Life]

GREAT WESTERN MINERALS GROUP APPOINTS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(via e-Mail)

January 9, 2013 - Saskatoon, Canada: Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company", TSX:V – GWG) today announced it has appointed Marc LeVier to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment is effective immediately, subject to regulatory approval.

Mr. LeVier, who joined the Board of Directors of GWMG in late 2012 (see: GWMG news release December 18, 2012), has been actively involved in an oversight role with the finalization of the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") and the continued development of the Company's Steenkampskraal project.

Mr. LeVier has been President and Chief Executive Officer as well as a Director of Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. where he oversaw the completion of a PEA, established the strategic direction for that company and created a culture of innovation and accountability. Prior to that, he spent over twenty years with Newmont Mining Corporation in senior metallurgical and management positions including General Manager of the Zarafshan/Newmont joint venture and Senior Director, Metallurgical Research and Development. During his tenure with Newmont, Mr. LeVier played a leadership role in the successful start-up of operations of new properties and led multi-disciplinary teams in the development of new technologies for hydrometallurgical, chemical and engineering design processes.

Mr. LeVier holds a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering as well as a Master of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering, both from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan.

His professional affiliations and certifications include membership in the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration as well as the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America.

GWMG Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Quinn said, "GWMG is exceptionally pleased to announce the appointment of a CEO with such significant mining industry expertise and commitment to our Company. His oversight role in the development of the PEA means he is intimately familiar with GWMG’s fully integrated business model and by virtue of moving into the CEO role immediately he will take a lead role in the communication of the results of the PEA, positioning GWMG to move quickly on the execution its strategic plan."