Stillwater Mining Company Announces Contract Negotiations Begin at East Boulder Mine

STILLWATER MINING COMPANY (NYSE: SWC) reported that representatives for Stillwater Mining Company and the USW International Union, Local 11-0001 commenced negotiations in Billings, Montana on May 12, 2008. Bargaining teams from the Union and Stillwater management have established the ground rules and laid the foundation for continuing negotiating meetings. Additional bargaining sessions have been scheduled. Stillwater Mining Company and USW International Union, Local 11-0001 entered into an agreement that all statements to the media concerning negotiations will be done jointly unless twenty-four hour notice has been given from one party to the other. Approximately 420 hourly employees at the mine located near McLeod, Montana are covered by the current contract that expires July 1, 2008.

Stillwater Mining Company is the only U.S. producer of palladium and platinum and is the largest primary producer of platinum group metals outside of South Africa and the Russian Federation. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWC. Information on Stillwater Mining Company can be found at its Website: www.stillwatermining.com.