Great Western Minerals Group Ltd.: First Phase of Exploration Completed on Benjamin River Rare Earth Project

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, Jun 01 (MARKET WIRE) --
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:
GWG) (PINK SHEETS: GWMGF) is pleased to report that the first phase of
exploration work is complete on its Benjamin River rare earth project in
the province of New Brunswick.

The program consisted of 36 line-km of ground magnetic and VLF-EM
geophysical surveys on 50m line spacing. The results were successful in
delineating a geophysical anomaly approximately 1,200m long and up to
200m wide. The anomaly coincides with known exposures of an
apatite-diopside-magnetite vein that previous surface sampling has
confirmed contains significant rare earth mineralization in addition to
phosphate and iron.

The Benjamin River property consists of 491 mineral claims covering
approximately 10,380 hectares. The location of the project, near
Bathurst, and the excellent infrastructure including rail, highways,
power and ports enhances the economic aspects of the property.

As reported in the Company's news release dated January 7, 2009, assays
from previous sampling of the vein material varied from 0.6% total rare
earth oxide ("TREO") to 1.0 % TREO. The mineralization is significantly
enriched in the "heavy" rare earth elements ("HREO", europium through
lutetium) plus yttrium at 30% by proportion. The HREO are high value
products that are critical to the manufacture of high-temperature magnets
used in electric motors for a wide range of applications including hybrid
vehicles and for phosphors used in LCD and plasma flat panel displays. In
addition, the HREO are forecast to be in very short supply by 2013.
Phosphate and iron oxide grades are also significant with samples
assaying up to 18% P2O5 and 39% Fe2O3.

Under the terms of an option agreement announced on January 7, 2009, GWMG
can earn a 100% interest in the property by a series of cash payments,
share issuances, and the reservation of a 2% net smelter return royalty
to the vendor.

Jim Engdahl, President and CEO of Great Western Minerals Group said "It
is important that we continue work on our heavy rare earth-enriched
projects while advancing our more advanced core rare earth projects.
These are the elements that are most likely to be in short supply and are
absolutely critical to many applications on which the world is becoming
dependent".

Further exploration work on the property is planned and will be announced
when underway.

John Pearson, MSc., P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration for GWMG, is the
qualified person responsible for reviewing the contents of this news
release.

Jim Engdahl, President

About Great Western Minerals Group Ltd.

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. is a Canadian-based company exploring
for, and developing, strategic metal resources in North America and South
Africa. Pursuing a vertically-integrated business model, the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Less Common Metals Limited located in
Birkenhead UK, and Great Western Technologies Inc., located in Troy,
Michigan, produce a variety of specialty alloys for use in the battery,
magnet and aerospace industries. These "designer" alloys include those
containing aluminum, copper, nickel, cobalt and the rare earth elements.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: The statements made
in this News Release may contain certain forward-looking statements.
Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.
Certain risk factors may also affect the actual results achieved by the
Company.

CUSIP: 39141Y 10 3

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and
does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news
release.

Contacts:
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd.
Ron Malashewski
Manager of Investor Relations
(306) 659-4516
Email: info@gwmg.ca

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd.
226 Cardinal Crescent
Saskatoon, SK S7L 6H8
Website: www.gwmg.ca

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