Li3 Energy announces Dr Uong Chon to Board of Directors as a designee by POSCO Canada

– CHILE, Santiago – Li3 Energy, Inc., (OTCQB: LIEG), a US-listed and South America based global exploration company in the lithium and minerals sector, today announced that the Board has appointed Dr. Uong Chon to the Board of the Company as a designee by POSCO Canada Ltd. pursuant to an Investor Rights Agreement between the Company and POSCAN, dated August 24, 2011. Dr. Chon was appointed to the Board of the Company replacing Dr. Sung Won Lee.  The board’s size remains that same with 8 members.

Dr. Chon has worked for Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), a South Korean research institute and a subsidiary of POSCO, since 1992. During the past few years, Dr. Chon has been leading the development of POSCO’s Lithium Direct Extraction Technology and at this point in time, he is working for POSCO, the parent company of POSCAN. He has also served as a technical advisor in the field of energy resources and materials for Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and Korea Energy Management Corporation, under the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy for the Republic Of Korea. Dr. Chon obtained his MS in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Utah and holds a Ph.D. from Pohang University of Science & Technology.

Patrick Cussen, Chairman of Li3 stated: “We welcome Dr. Chon to our Board. It is exciting to have such an authority in the revolutionizing of the lithium extraction process as POSCAN’s representative to Li3’s board of directors.  This appointment reaffirms our partnership and commitment towards our strategic plan and we look forward to continuing to work with POSCAN and our Chilean partner to advance our Maricunga project.”

About Li3 Energy, Inc.

Li3 Energy, Inc. is an exploration stage public company in the lithium mining and energy sector. Li3 aims to acquire, develop and commercialize a significant portfolio of lithium brine deposits in the Americas. With its interest in the Maricunga Project, coupled with the completion of the NI 43–101 Compliant Measured Resource Report and the Cocina acquisition, Li3’s goals are to: a) advance Maricunga to the Feasibility Stage; b) support the global implementation of clean and green energy initiatives; c) meet growing lithium market demand; and d) become a mid-tier, low cost supplier of lithium, potassium nitrate, iodine and other strategic minerals, serving global clients in the energy, fertilizer and specialty chemical industries.

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