"Golden Minerals Company (AMEX: AUMN) (TSX: AUM.TO) ("Golden Minerals" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Warren Rehn to the position of Vice President of Exploration. Golden Minerals also announces the planned retirement of Robert Blakestad, the Company's Senior Vice President of Exploration, effective February 29, 2012.

Mr. Rehn has 30 years of mineral exploration experience. He was previously employed by Barrick Gold Exploration, most recently as the Chief Exploration Geologist for the Bald Mountain and Ruby Hill Mines. In this position he was responsible for planning and supervising gold exploration programs for intrusion-related and Carlin style deposits, with recent significant discoveries at both mine sites. Prior to joining Barrick, Mr. Rehn was a consultant with Gerson Lehman Group and for 10 years was a co-owner in a specialty geochemical consulting firm. Mr. Rehn has also worked as an exploration geologist with Placer Dome Exploration, Bear Creek Mining, Cyprus Amax, Bema Gold, Noranda Exploration and Gold Fields Mining Corporation. He has considerable exploration experience in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America. Mr. Rehn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Idaho and a Master of Science in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines."