22 billion it said in its filing withthe U

Grundman worked at the California Governor's Office of EmergencyServices Mr. Grundman holds a Juris Doctor Degree from McGeorge School of Law- University of the Pacific, and has been an active member of the State Bar ofCalifornia since 2002.To facilitate the appointment of Mr Ryan, Mr Greenway and Mr. Grundmanthe Board of Directors has expanded the Board from seven (7) to nine (9).About Sterling Mining CompanySterling Mining is a mineral resource development and exploration company.The Company's flagship project is the Sunshine Mine in North Idaho's prolificCoeur d'Alene Mining District. The Sunshine Mine is the largest singlehistoric producer of silver in the United States producing over 360 millionounces of silver from 1884 until present. Sterling Mining has been exploring,rehabilitating and engaging in limited production at the mine since leasingthe project in 2003. Shares of Sterling Mining Company trade on the OTCBBunder the symbol "SLRM", and also on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under thetrading symbol "SMX".FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, visit the Company's website at or contact:Sterling Mining CompanyJohn Ryan, Chief Executive OfficerTel: (404) 418-6203Monique Hayes, Marketing/CommunicationsTel: (208) 666-4070 ext.

301To receive Sterling news via email, please email and specify "SRLM news" in the subject line.CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSTHIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION" WITHIN THEMEANING OF THE UNITED STATES "PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT" OF1995 AND APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION. SUCH FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, RISKS RELATEDTO TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS, CHANGES INLOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION, TAXATION OR THE POLITICAL OR ECONOMICENVIRONMENT, THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF CURRENT EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CONCLUSIONSOF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS, CHANGES IN PROJECT PARAMETERS TO DEAL WITHUNANTICIPATED ECONOMIC FACTORS, FUTURE PRICES OF SILVER, GOLD AND BASE METALS,INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR PROPERTIES, EQUIPMENT,QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, AND THEIR RISING COSTS, UNPREDICTABLE RISKS AND HAZARDSRELATING TO THE OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MINES OR PROPERTIES, THESPECULATIVE NATURE OF EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICEFOR NATURAL GAS, FUEL OIL AND OTHER KEY SUPPLIES, AS WELL AS THOSE FACTORSDESCRIBED IN THE SECTION "RISK RELATED TO THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS" CONTAINEDIN THE COMPANY'S MOST RECENT FORM 40F/ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FILED WITH THESEC AND CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES. 301, . (Adds details on legacy costs, background) Stocks Bonds NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Tronox Inc's TROXA.PK U.S.operations have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection toaddress environmental remediation and litigation costs, thechemical maker said on Monday.

The producer of titanium dioxide pigment used in paint,plastics and paper has assets of about $1.56 billion andliabilities of about $1.22 billion, it said in its filing withthe U.S Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. operations of LyondellBasell, theworld's third-largest petrochemical company, filed forbankruptcy protection under the weight of massive debt anddeclining demand. "After careful evaluation of all strategic alternatives, wehave concluded that a Chapter 11 filing is the best way toaddress the company's debt, in particular its legacyliabilities," Chief Executive Dennis Wanlass said in astatement. The company, based in Oklahoma City, said it had takensteps to ensure a supply of goods and services to itscustomers, and had a commitment for up to $125 million in newdebtor-in-possession financing from its existing lending groupled by Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX). Companies use DIP financing to help them fund operationswhile they restructure debt.

Tronox said it would use the financing to pay vendors forall goods and services provided after the filing date. The company said the filing did not include non-U.S.operations in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. Thecompany employs about 1,845 people, with almost 1,000 of thosein the United States. Tronox expects to receive approval to continue to payemployees as part of the bankruptcy court's "first day" orders,it said.