Western Areas Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director-Tim Netscher

PERTH, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - July 31, 2014) -

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

The Board of Western Areas Ltd (ASX:WSA) "Western Areas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Tim Netscher as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective 1 August 2014.

Mr Netscher has significant broad-based experience at senior levels in the international resources industry, in roles spanning marketing, operations management, project management and business development in Australia, South Africa, the USA and Indonesia. Specifically Mr Netscher has considerable experience in the nickel industry with senior executive roles at Impala Platinum Ltd, PT Inco and QNI Pty Ltd.

Mr Netscher is a Chartered Engineer and holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Commerce, a MBA, is a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Netscher is currently Chairman of Deep Yellow Ltd and is a non-executive director of Aquila Resources Ltd and St Barbara Mines Ltd.

Western Areas Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Mr Ian Macliver welcomed the appointment of Mr Netscher as the final addition to the skills matrix the Board was seeking.

"Tim has a rich history in the resources industry and his metallurgical, management and corporate experience at both the executive and board level at companies such as Newmont, Vale Australia, PT Inco Aquila Resources Ltd will be well received," Mr Macliver said.

Mr Netscher resides in Western Australia.