Appointment of Independent Director to Western Areas Board

PERTH, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 2, 2009) - THIS NEWS RELEASE IS Dear Shareholders,

It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce the appointment of Mr Rick Yeates as a new independent, non executive director to the Board of Western Areas NL (TSX: WSA.TO)(ASX: WSA.AX). Mr Yeates is a Geologist with more than 26 years mining industry experience in various roles.

Mr Yeates has significant experience across a wide range of resource projects around the world. He is familiar with both the ASX and TSX regulatory environments and has exposure to international resource funds and financial institutions.

Mr Yeates will join the Board in early October and is expected to bring a global perspective of project evaluation, exploration and mining to the Company and will contribute to Western Areas growth plans both in Australia and offshore. We look forward to introducing him to Western Areas shareholders at our AGM planned for mid October.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Hanna

Managing Director

Contacts

Julian Hanna
Western Areas NL
Managing Director
+61 8 9334 7777
jhanna@westernareas.com.au

Craig Oliver
Western Areas NL
Finance Director
+61 8 9334 7777
coliver@westernareas.com.au
www.westernareas.com.au