Western Areas Forrestania Power Restored

PERTH, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 19, 2015) -

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

Western Areas Ltd (ASX:WSA) ("Western Areas" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that the temporary loss of power to the Company's Forrestania operations has now been restored. The loss of power arose from a regional bushfire, located approximately 35 kilometres to the north of the mine site. The fire remains of no physical threat to either the Forrestania personnel or operations at this time.

The Company thanks the Department of Fire & Emergency Services for its efforts in containing the fire and the work of Western Power to restore services. The Company shares the community's concern for those impacted by the broader regional fires around the Esperance region.

Power was lost for approximately 30 hours. This will result in a short-term impact on production, however, the Company does not expect there to be any adverse impact on meeting existing FY16 production guidance. Western Areas will update the market with the December Quarter production report.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:

This release contains certain forward-looking statements including nickel production targets. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", and "guidance", or other similar words and may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production and expected costs.

Examples of forward looking statements used in this report include: "the Company does not expect there to be any adverse impact on meeting existing FY16 production guidance".

These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's ability to control or predict which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

This announcement does not include reference to all available information on the Company and should not be used in isolation as a basis to invest in Western Areas. Any potential investors should refer to Western Area's other public releases and statutory reports and consult their professional advisers before considering investing in the Company.