Alderon Concludes Definitive Agreements With Hebei Iron & Steel Group, China's Largest Steel Producer, for a Strategic Partnership (ccnm)

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 13, 2012) - Alderon Iron Ore Corp. (TSX:ADV)(NYSE Amex:AXX) ("Alderon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive subscription agreement dated April 13, 2012 (the "Subscription Agreement") with Hebei Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd. ("Hebei"), China's largest steel producer. Hebei will make a strategic investment into both Alderon and its Kami iron ore project (the "Kami Project") in an aggregate amount of C$194 million, in exchange for 19.9% of the outstanding common shares of Alderon (the "Private Placement") and a 25% interest in a newly formed limited partnership that will be established to own the Kami Project.

The parties have also agreed upon the terms of all other material agreements governing the relationship between Hebei and the Company and Hebei's agreement to purchase iron ore concentrate produced at the Kami Project (the "Definitive Agreements"). The Definitive Agreements will be executed on closing of the Private Placement.

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and the Definitive Agreements, the entire C$194 million of investment proceeds from Hebei will be used for the exploration and development of the Kami Project and other relevant corporate expenses of Alderon.

Hebei agrees to use its best efforts to assist in obtaining project debt financing for the Kami Project from financial institutions, including Chinese banks. In addition, Alderon and Hebei will be required to contribute to capital expenditures for the development of the Kami Project not covered by initial capital contributions and project debt financing, in accordance with their respective interests.

Upon Hebei's acquisition of its 25% interest in the Kami Project, it will be obligated to purchase upon the commencement of commercial production, 60% of the actual annual production from the Kami Project up to a maximum of 4.8 million tonnes of the first 8.0 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate produced annually at the Kami Project. The price paid by Hebei will be based on the monthly average price per DMT for iron ore sinter feed fines quoted by Platts Iron Ore Index (including additional quoted premium for iron content greater than 62%) ("Platts Price"), less a discount equal to 5% of such quoted price. Hebei will also have the option to purchase additional tonnage at a price equal to the Platts Price, without any such discount.

Mark Morabito, Executive Chairman of Alderon, said, "Alderon is delighted to build this new partnership with Hebei, China's largest steel group and the second largest steel group globally. China continues to be one of the strongest and most dynamic economies globally with significant expertise in the iron ore and steel industry. Alderon now has both the capital and the China market access to build a world-class company."

Wang Yifang, Chairman of Hebei Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd., said, "Hebei is pleased to create a long standing partnership with Alderon through this strategic investment. Alderon is developing a high-quality iron ore project with abundant resources and strategic location. I believe this is an important transaction in the push of China's iron and steel enterprises to invest into overseas mining assets. In addition to the potentially attractive investment returns, Hebei is able to lock up a long term supply of high-quality iron ores, to help improve our operational performance and ensure our long-term, sustainable growth. Hebei believes it will be a valuable partner to Alderon and is equally committed to assisting in securing all necessary resources for the development of the Kami Project including the project financing. I firmly believe the cooperation between two strategic partners will successfully develop the Kami Project into a world-class iron ore mine."

Tayfun Eldem, the President and CEO of Alderon, said, "This transaction with Hebei is a major catalyst for Alderon as it further validates and materially de-risks the Kami Project. It provides us with a significant component of our expected equity requirement to build Kami and continue to progress the project with maximum financial flexibility. This partnership with China's largest and most technologically advanced integrated steel group also strengthens Alderon's potential to finance the remainder of the capital for Kami having Hebei as a partner in accessing global financial institutions including Chinese banks. We believe that this partnership solidifies our ability to become the next significant iron ore producer in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Under the terms of the Subscription Agreement, Hebei will subscribe for common shares at a price per share equal to C$3.42 (the "Subscription Price"). Liberty Metals & Mining Holdings, LLC ("LMM") has indicated that it intends to exercise its pre-emptive right to maintain its relative proportionate interest in the Company following the Private Placement. Upon closing of the Private Placement, Hebei will acquire approximately 25,828,305 common shares for gross proceeds to the Company of C$88,332,804, representing 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Alderon, after giving effect to such issuance and the exercise by LMM of its pre-emptive right, and LMM will acquire approximately 3,805,576 common shares at the Subscription Price for additional gross proceeds to the Company of C$13,015,070.

Upon the closing of the Private Placement, Hebei will be entitled to nominate two directors to the Board of Alderon. In addition, Alderon has granted Hebei a pre-emptive right to maintain its interest in Alderon in certain circumstances.

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreements, within 15 business days of Hebei receiving a feasibility study that meets certain criteria, Hebei will contribute the balance of its C$194 million investment and Alderon will contribute the Kami Project and relevant properties to a newly formed limited partnership which will be owned as to 25% by Hebei and 75% by Alderon.

Alderon will be the manager of the Kami Project and will receive a fixed annual management fee during the construction period of the project. Once the Kami Project has reached commercial production, Alderon will receive a management fee on a per tonne of iron ore concentrate basis.

The Subscription Agreement and the Definitive Agreements are subject to approvals from the government of the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). Alderon is entitled to terminate the Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Definitive Agreements, if the PRC approvals have not been obtained by Hebei within 90 days following the date hereof and Alderon has entered into an agreement with respect to an alternative transaction proposal, provided that Alderon pays Hebei a termination fee of C$10.25mm. Both parties can terminate the Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Definitive Agreements in the event that Hebei is denied any PRC approval. Alderon has agreed not to solicit nor approve any alternative transaction proposal for a period of 75 days from the date hereof.

The Subscription Agreement and Definitive Agreements are also subject to the approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE Amex.

Alderon's financial advisor for the transaction is GMP Securities L.P. and its legal counsel is Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is acting as Hebei's exclusive financial advisor and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as Hebei's legal advisor.

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