FWR Freewest Resources Canada Com Npv

Freewest Resources Canada Inc. (TSX VENTURE: FWR) is pleased to note that only 11,755,018 Freewest shares were tendered to the unsolicited offer by Noront Resources Ltd. launched on October 13, 2009 for all of Freewest's shares, according to a press release issued today by Noront. The tendered shares represent only 4.5% of Freewest's shares on a fully-diluted basis. There are 239,601,336 Freewest shares currently issued and outstanding. Noront's offer expired at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2009.

Freewest will proceed with its previously-announced Plan of Arrangement with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF)(PARIS: CLF), which provides Freewest shareholders, for each Freewest share, with a fixed amount of $1.00 in Cliffs shares. Freewest expects that a special meeting of shareholders will be held in January 2010, and that a detailed management proxy circular describing the Arrangement with Cliffs will be sent to Freewest shareholders shortly.

"We are gratified by the strong support from our shareholders", said Mackenzie I. Watson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Freewest. "Freewest's Board of Directors recommended unanimously that Freewest shareholders reject the offer from Noront, and the vast majority of our shareholders shared that view. Noront's unsolicited offer is now behind us, and we look forward to completing our transaction with Cliffs in January 2010."

About Freewest

Freewest is a mineral exploration company actively exploring for gold, base-metals and chromite within eastern Canada. Corporate information can be accessed on the Internet at www.freewest.com. Freewest's shares are listed on Tier 1 of the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FWR.

Georgeson is acting as Freewest's solicitation agent in connection with the proposed Plan of Arrangement with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Georgeson may be contacted as follows:

                                 Georgeson
                          100 University Avenue
                         11th Floor, South Tower
                            Toronto, Ontario
                                 M5J 2Y1

               North American Toll Free Number: 1-866-433-7579
               Banks and Brokers Collect Number: 1-212-806-6859

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Freewest Resources Canada Inc. ("Freewest"). Actual results or achievements may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Freewest will derive therefrom. In particular, no assurance can be given as to whether the proposed plan of arrangement with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. will be completed. Forward-looking information is based on the estimates and opinions of Freewest's management at the time the information is released and Freewest does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts: Freewest Resources Canada Inc. Mackenzie I. Watson President and CEO 514-878-3551 or 1-888-878-3551 514-878-4427 (FAX) info@freewest.com www.freewest.com