Noront Resources Appoints Chief Operating Officer

TORONTO -

Symbol: NOT:TSX-V Shares Outstanding: 163,631,957 Fully Diluted: 173,461,957

Noront Resources Ltd. (”Noront” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: NOT) is please to announce that it has appointed Mr. Paul G. Semple. P.Eng. as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Semple’s 27-year career in the mining industry has focused on feasibility studies, project development and operations of precious and base metals deposits. Much of his time was spent with Kilborn (later SNC-Lavalin) where he was involved in all aspects of global project development from initial studies through to construction and operations. Mr. Semple held various positions including Vice President and General Manager at SNC Lavalin Engineers and Constructors where he was responsible for numerous projects including Voisey’s Bay and Diavik. Recently, Mr. Semple was Vice President of Projects for Western Goldfields Inc, and was responsible for managing the feasibility study and engineering/construction required to restart the Mesquite Mine, a project that was completed ahead of schedule and on budget. Mr. Semple holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen’s University and is a professional engineer.

Wes Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of Noront stated: “Paul Semple rounds out our management team as Noront evolves from a junior exploration company to becoming a mine development company. He brings a wealth of experience in metallurgical engineering, project and construction management, engineering design and mine operations. Paul can not only manage the engineering companies that will be invited to bid on Noront’s infrastructure development projects but more importantly he will be able to contribute to the engineering of said projects ensuring that the best interests of our shareholders are addressed.” Mr. Hanson added: “Paul will advance our projects in the Ring of Fire logically, ensuring reasonable engineering supports all our decisions by ensuring that all options are fairly evaluated, that the correct option is selected for further engineering and that the engineering is completed to world-class standards. This will be vital in realizing the real value of our assets in the Ring of Fire.”

About Noront:

Noront Resources is focused on its significant and multiple, high-grade nickel-copper-platinum-palladium, chromite and vanadium discoveries in an area known as the “Ring of Fire”, an emerging multi-metals district located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario, Canada. Noront is the dominant land holder at the Ring of Fire and continues to delineate and prove up its discoveries with NI 43-101 technical and economic reports and an aggressive and well financed drill plan for the remainder of 2009 and 2010. Noront is also currently involved in a non-solicited takeover of Freewest Resources, which the company believes will be beneficial for all shareholders. All material information on Noront can be found on the Company’s website at www.norontresources.com or at SEDAR at www.sedar.com

Wesley (Wes) Hanson

President & Chief Financial Officer

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion, growth of the Company’s businesses, operations, plans and with respect to exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, permitting time lines, government regulation of exploration and mining operations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage, timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation and timing and results of future resource estimates or future economic studies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “planning”, “planned”, “expects” or “looking forward”, “does not expect”, “continues”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “potential”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, or “belief”, or describes a “goal”, or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Joanne Jobin, Vice President Corporate Communications at +1(416)367-1444; For up to date information on all Noront activities including the recent Freewest takeover bid please visit our website at www.norontresources.com.

Source: Noront Resources Ltd.

For further information: Joanne Jobin, Vice President Corporate Communications at +1(416)367-1444; For up to date information on all Noront activities including the recent Freewest takeover bid please visit our website at https://www.norontresources.com.