Great Western Minerals Successfully Produces Rare Earth Carbonate From Mini Pilot Plant Testing

SASKATOON, SK--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) - Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GWG) (OTCQX: GWMGF), a leader in the manufacture and supply of rare earth element-based metals and metal alloys and holder of a low cost, high-grade critical rare earth asset (the "Steenkampskraal Project" or "SKK"), today announced that it has completed a mini pilot plant test with its proposed process flow sheet with extremely successful results. The pilot plant has confirmed the results from laboratory scale testing.

"This is a significant milestone for us," stated Marc LeVier, Company President and CEO. "We optimized the metallurgical process and successfully operated a pilot plant which produced a mixed rare earth carbonate product. We now have a process flow sheet that is being engineered in our ongoing SKK feasibility study. The study remains on track for completion around the end of the first quarter of 2014."

A bulk sample was taken from the mine at Steenkampskraal and processed through the mini pilot plant at MINTEK in Johannesburg, South Africa. A mixed rare earth carbonate product was produced which is being used for further characterization and evaluation in separation of the rare earth elements. Radioactive components of the sample were selectively removed from the product. As a result, the product demonstrated only background radiation levels.

Qualified Person Statement

Mr. Robert Machowski, Pr Eng; MBA; BSc Eng (Met-MinProc), FSAIMM, is the Chief Executive Officer for ULS (Pty) Ltd and is the Qualified Person (as defined under NI 43-101) responsible for supervising all metallurgical activities and preparation of the technical content of this news release.

About GWMG

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. is a leader in the manufacture and supply of rare earth element-based metals and metal alloys. Its specialty alloys are used in the battery, magnet and aerospace industries. Produced at the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Less Common Metals Limited in Ellesmere Port, U.K. and Great Western Technologies Inc. in Troy, Michigan, these alloys contain transition metals, including nickel, cobalt, iron and other 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 controls the Steenkampskraal monazite mine in South Africa. The Company also holds interests in three rare earth exploration properties in North America that are not active.