WATERDOWN, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/16/12 -- Opta Minerals Inc. (TSX: OPM) ("Opta Minerals" or "the Company") announces the appointment of Joseph Riz to the Company's Board of Directors and Audit Committee. The appointment of Mr. Riz brings the total number of directors to 7.

Joseph Riz is the Managing Director of Tricapital Management Ltd., a merchant banking and financial advisory firm. He was a director of Opta Minerals Inc. from November, 2004 to February, 2007 and has been a director of SunOpta Inc. and, served as Chairman of SunOpta's (STKL) Audit Committee and was a member of SunOpta's Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Riz has served as director on a number of other boards in both private organizations and public companies.

David Kruse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opta Minerals commented, "We are very pleased with Mr. Riz's re-appointment to our Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Joe will serve as an independent director and his experience will provide our Board with further expertise necessary to grow the business through internal growth projects and potential acquisition opportunities."

About Opta Minerals

Opta Minerals Inc. is a vertically integrated provider of custom process optimization solutions and related materials for use primarily in the steel, foundry, loose abrasive cleaning and municipal water filtration industries. The Company currently has offices and production and distribution facilities in Ontario, Quebec, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Texas, Florida, Kosice (Slovakia), and Romans-sur-Isere (France) and has one of the broadest product lines in the industry.

Contacts:
Opta Minerals Inc.
David Kruse
President and Chief Executive Officer
905-689-7361, ext. 405

Opta Minerals Inc.
Peter Fryters
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
905-689-7361, ext. 405
investor_relations@optaminerals.com
www.optaminerals.com

Source: Opta Minerals Inc.