Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. (NYSE Amex: XPL; TSX: SLR) is pleased to announce Brian M. Labadie has been appointed as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Labadie has been an independent Board member of Solitario since June 2006 and has 30 years of experience in the mining industry. Mr. Labadie will replace Mr. Steven A. Webster as non-executive Chairman due to Mr. Webster's resignation as a board member.

Mr. Labadie most recently served as Miramar Mining Corporation's (acquired by Newmont Mining Corporation) Chief Operating Officer from 1996-2006, with overall responsibility for the company's operations, development properties and all safety and environmental matters. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Labadie served in several increasingly more senior positions within Echo Bay Mines (acquired by Kinross Gold Corp.), including General Manager, Kettle River Operations (1987-1990), Vice President, Planning and Development (1990-1993) and Vice President, Operations (1993-1996). Prior to that Mr. Labadie worked for Cominco Ltd. (now Teck Ltd.) from 1975 to 1985. He rose through the operational ranks to become General Superintendent, Pine Point Operations, which was the largest zinc producer in the world at that time. Mr. Labadie holds a B.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Chris Herald, President and CEO of Solitario, stated, "We are very fortunate to have a person of Brian's professional caliber to help guide Solitario forward. With Brian's deep experience in management and operations, particularly gold, silver and zinc, he is ideally suited for strategic planning, assisting management in overseeing our major projects and potential future acquisitions. We are looking forward to Brian’s increased role in Solitario."

Mr. Herald went on to state, "Solitario's board and management wish to thank Steve Webster for his outstanding leadership during the past three years. Although we are disappointed that Steve will be leaving Solitario's Board due to his desire to reduce the number of public boards he serves on, we fully understand the time commitment it takes to serve on a single board, then alone multiple boards."

Mr. Webster further commented, "I am very confident that Solitario's future is brighter today than when I first joined Solitario's Board. Having worked with Brian Labadie for nearly ten years now, I believe Brian is the perfect person to assume the role of Solitario's Chairman.