Eastern Platinum Limited Adopts New Shareholder Rights Plan

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 20, 2011) - Eastern Platinum Limited (TSX:ELR)(AIM:ELR)(JSE:EPS) ("Eastplats") announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the adoption of a new Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement (the "Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan supercedes and replaces that shareholder rights plan of Eastplats dated May 1, 2008, which was set to expire in any event as of the close of business on June 9, 2011, being the date of Eastplats' 2011 annual general meeting. The Rights Plan is being adopted to ensure the fair treatment of all Eastplats shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the outstanding common shares of Eastplats. The Rights Plan will provide shareholders with adequate time to properly evaluate and assess a take-over bid without facing undue pressure or coercion. The Rights Plan also provides the Board with additional time to consider any take-over and, if applicable, to explore alternative transactions in order to maximize shareholder value.

The Rights Plan is not designed to prevent take-over bids that treat Eastplats shareholders fairly. Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Plan, any bid that meets certain criteria intended to protect the interests of all shareholders are deemed to be "Permitted Bids". A Permitted Bid must be made by way of a take-over bid circular prepared in compliance with applicable securities laws and, in addition to certain other conditions, must remain open for 60 days. In the event a take-over bid does not meet the Permitted Bid requirements of the Rights Plan, the rights issued under the plan will entitle shareholders, other than any shareholder or shareholders involved in the take-over bid, to purchase additional common shares of Eastplats at a significant discount to the market price of the common shares at that time. The Rights Plan is not being adopted in response to any proposal to acquire control of Eastplats.

The Rights Plan has been accepted by the Toronto Stock Exchange and will be presented for ratification by the shareholders at the Eastplats annual general meeting to be held on June 9, 2011. If ratified by shareholders, the Rights Plan will have a term of three years. A copy of the Rights Plan is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Eastplats' website www.eastplats.com.

Total shares issued and outstanding: 908,187,807

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions by Eastplats and therefore, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to factors such as general economic and market conditions, changes in government legislation, controls, regulations and political developments. Specific reference is made to the Company's most recent Annual Information Form on file with Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements.

The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

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