Operational Update

10 January 2012

Great Western Mining Corporation Plc

("Great Western" or "GWM" or "the Company")

Operational Update

Great Western Mining, the AIM and Dublin ESM listed mineral exploration company, announces today that work has begun on its initial Reverse Circulation drilling campaign in Mineral County, Nevada.

Following extensive geophysical, surface sampling, aeromagnetic, Induced Polarization and ASTER satellite studies, the Company's first two drill targets, referred to as A4 and A5, have been selected. Target A4 is primarily a copper prospect and A5 a copper and precious metal prospect. Work on the access routes up to the drill sites has begun and is progressing.

Contracts for surveying an access route up to the drill sites have been awarded and contracts for drilling four to six drill holes are in advanced negotiation. A Plan of Operations is being prepared to file with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. A further Plan of Operations will be submitted to the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources which has recently been granted jurisdiction over a limited portion of the Company's claim area. Subject to regulatory approval and rig availability, drilling should commence in the first quarter of the year.

Geological and sample studies continue on sites selected for further test drilling of additional prospective targets on GWM's 73sq. kilometres of mineral claims in surrounding areas.

GWM owns 100% working interest in all of its 896 individual claims.

Enquiries:

Notes to Editors

GWM's operations are based in Mineral County, Nevada and all of its claims are located on the Walker Lane trend and Golconda Thrust Fault, in the Excelsior Mountain range which hosted a number of the 19(th) Century "bonanza" mines. The Company is incorporated and headquartered in Ireland with the Chief Executive, Melvyn Quiller based in offices in Colchester, England.

For further information:

Website: www.greatwesternmining.com