BILLINGS, MT -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/08 -- Stillwater Mining Company (NYSE: SWC), United Steel Workers (USW) and its Local 11-0001 as well as the East Boulder Unit announced they met earlier in the week in Columbus, Montana to begin discussions concerning the Company's restructuring plan. Bargaining teams from the USW Union and SMC established the foundation for the upcoming meetings.

USW Local 11-0001 and SMC entered into an agreement that all statements to the media concerning the restructuring negotiations will be done jointly unless twenty-four hour notice has been given from one party to the other.

Both SMC and the USW Union realize the urgency in concluding the restructuring negotiations as quickly as possible so that represented employees at the East Boulder Mine, Stillwater Mine and the Metallurgical Complex in Columbus; other SMC employees; the State of Montana and local communities; as well as the Company and its stakeholders can benefit from the results of the restructuring plan.