SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - March 31, 2010) - Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GWG) (PINK SHEETS:GWMGF) and True North Gems Ltd. ("TGX") are pleased to announce that GWMG has entered into an option agreement (the "Agreement") whereby GWMG can acquire up to a 65% working interest in TGX's True Blue property in the Yukon.

The True Blue property is located 55 kilometers south of Ross River, Yukon and is accessible via an all-weather road to the Ketza River gold mine, followed by 10 kilometers of summer-only road to the property.

The property covers a batholith of Mississippian-age syenite, coeval felsic volcanic rocks and lower Paleozoic clastic and carbonate rocks of Silurian age. During a 2009 exploration program on the property, TGX discovered three new Rare Earth Element (REE) showings which returned assays of up 6.02% Total Rare Earth Oxides + Yttrium (TREO) and 2.52% Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5) with a high proportion of Neodymium and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (see True North Gems News Release dated Nov. 24, 2009).

Under the terms of the Agreement, GWMG can earn a 51% interest in the property (the "First Option") with an initial cash payment of C$50,000 on signing, followed by additional cash payments totaling C$350,000 on or before January 30, 2013. In addition, to exercise the First Option GWMG will be required to issue TGX 300,000 GWMG common shares on signing the Agreement, followed by an additional 900,000 GWMG common shares on or before January 30, 2012.

In addition, to exercise the First Option GWMG will be required to complete a total of C$5.0 million in exploration costs on or before December 31, 2013 with a commitment to incur C$1.0 million of such exploration costs during 2010. Once GWMG earns its 51% interest, GWMG may exercise a second option (the "Second Option") that will grant GWMG a further 14% interest (total 65%) by completing all expenditures in connection with the completion of a bankable feasibility study. GWMG will be the operator of the True Blue property during the term of the First and Second Option. GWMG will also have the right to market TGX's share of REE production with TGX having the option to renew such marketing agreement every three years.

The Agreement is subject to regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approval. Upon receipt of the necessary permits, GWMG will begin its preliminary exploration activities on the True Blue Property, including an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, geological mapping, prospecting, trenching and geochemical sampling and in order to define the extent of the known mineralization, identify new areas of mineralization and to define drill targets for the 2011 program.

Jim Engdahl, President and CEO of Great Western Minerals Group said, "This is another great opportunity for Great Western Minerals as well as for True North Gems. The preliminary data that we have reviewed is very encouraging with high Yttrium, Neodymium and Heavy Rare Earth Element content making this potentially high value mineralization. As well, the property is easily accessible with good road access. We have a goal of diversifying our mineral project portfolio geographically and balancing our rare earth mix. This project satisfies our immediate focus on high value, Heavy Rare Earth Element dominant mineralization, in areas of good infrastructure in order acquire a secure supply of raw materials for our processing plants in Michigan and England."

Nick Houghton, President of True North said "We are very pleased to have Great Western Minerals Group, experts in the evaluation and marketing of rare earth minerals, assume the responsibilities of advancing the True Blue property. This will allow our company to focus on our core gemstone exploration business model."

John Pearson (MSc., P.Geo), Vice President Exploration for Great Western Minerals Group is the Qualified Person responsible for reviewing the contents of this news release