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Northwestern builds on strength of management team - Promotes respected geologist to CEO, names new Directors
09:12 EDT Wednesday, May 31, 2006

TORONTO, May 31 /CNW/ - Northwestern Mineral Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: NWT; OTCBB: NWTMF) today announced that Marek Kreczmer, M.Sc. (Geo), P.Eng., has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the company, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Mr. Kreczmer, who was named President of Northwestern in October 2005, is an accomplished mining professional with extensive experience in uranium exploration and development. He succeeds founding CEO Kabir Ahmed, who remains with the company in an executive capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Northwestern has also restructured its Board with the addition of three respected geologists to reflect the company's focus on strengthening its position as an active uranium explorer.

"As Northwestern concentrates on the development of our highly prospective uranium portfolio, we will benefit from Mr. Kreczmer's direction and technical expertise, as well as the depth of knowledge that the new directors will bring," said Kabir Ahmed, Chairman of Northwestern. "Our team's considerable African mining and development experience and extensive network of regional mining contacts will assist Northwestern increase its independence from other uranium exploration firms operating in the Republic of Niger."

Mr. Kreczmer is a 30-year veteran of the mining industry and has worked for major and emerging companies focused on uranium, base and precious metals, including uranium producer Cameco Corp. He also has extensive experience in corporate governance and administration through his work as a current and former director of several publicly listed mining companies.

Founding CEO Kabir Ahmed will continue as an active and valued member of Northwestern's executive management team as Chairman of the Board and will provide the company with legal, regulatory and corporate guidance. Mr. Ahmed served as CEO of Northwestern from its incorporation in September 2003, and under his leadership, Northwestern successfully secured its current property portfolio and recently completed a financing of approximately C$18 million.

"We would like to thank Mr. Ahmed for his tireless efforts in helping to build a strong, well-financed publicly traded company," said Mr. Kreczmer. "We look forward to his continuing contributions as we advance Northwestern to its next phase of growth."

BOARD RESTRUCTURING

Concurrent with the appointment of Marek Kreczmer as CEO, and subject to regulatory approval, Northwestern has appointed three respected geologists to its Board of Directors:

- Anton Esterhuizen, M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), is an experienced geologist
renowned for his extensive experience in Africa. Among his career
highlights, he is credited with the discovery and evaluation of the
Xstrata Group's world-class, high-grade Rhovan vanadium deposit in
South Africa, the re-evaluation of the sizeable Burnstone gold
deposit, also in South Africa, and a number of Tanzanian gold
deposits, which attracted major mining companies to that country.

- Simon Lawrence, MBA, B.Eng. (Hons), is an industry veteran whose
background includes work with numerous publicly listed exploration
companies across Africa and Europe, including Anglo American
Corporation, South Africa (NASDAQ: AAUK), and most recently as Vice
President of Corporate Development for Gabriel Resources Ltd.
(TSX: GBU), for which he raised a total of C$200 million over five
years. Mr. Lawrence also worked as a mining analyst for HSBC James
Capel (now HSBC Securities) from 1995 to 1997.

- Currently the President of Vault Minerals Inc., Joseph D. Horne has
worked in the mining industry for more than 20 years, spanning
exploration and project development in both underground and open-pit
production environments.

Northwestern would like to thank Wayne Beach, Jon North and J. Scott Waldie for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the company and for their dedicated service as they retire from the Northwestern Board of Directors.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN:

Northwestern Mineral Ventures (www.northwestmineral.com) is an international natural resource exploration company with an experienced management team. The company is focused on properties in Niger, the United States and Canada with potential uranium targets. Northwestern also has a precious and base metal property in Mexico. Northwestern is listed on the NASD Bulletin Board under the symbol "NWTMF" and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NWT."

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes certain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the worldwide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital.

For further information: Kabir Ahmed, Chairman, (866) 437-9551, info@northwestmineral.com