DENVER, COLORADO (TSX VENTURE: WHD)(FRANKFURT: H5N) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the managing board of West Hawk Energy, USA, LLC ("WHE") has secured financial arrangements with Lu'An Mining Group ("Lu'An") for a cash investment of US$5 million. Lu'An has agreed to invest US$5 million in WHE to maintain their current 25% ownership position in WHE. The proceeds will be used by WHE towards the 2008 drilling program at its gas project, in the Piceance Basin, Colorado.

"We had an outstanding Board meeting at Lu'An headquarters, in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, where we reviewed the gas project and future coal and coal gasification plans" stated Roger A. Baer, CFO, West Hawk Development Corporation.

"During the Board meeting both companies had very good discussions concerning coal gasification and agreed that in addition to advanced gasification technology the focus must be on mature gasification technologies," stated Dr. Wm. Mark Hart, President and CEO. Afterwards the Board toured Lu'An's U$3.6 billion Coal-to-Liquids and IGCC plant that is currently under phase 1 construction which is projected to start production this fall with an annual capacity of 3 million tons per year of liquids. This plant is ultimately projected to produce 5.2 million tons of liquids annually and to produce approximately 250 MW of power via IGCC. "West Hawk is continuing to look at advanced and mature gasification technologies that meet the above criteria," stated Dr. Jinsheng Chen, West Hawk President and CEO of Asian Operations.

"Lu'An's investment in WHE confirms our continued belief in West Hawk and the Colorado natural gas project", added Mr. Ren, Chairman of Lu'An Mining Group.

West Hawk expects to start drilling again in June.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Dr. Wm. Mark Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer

About the Company: West Hawk Development Corp. is focused on providing valuable, high-demand clean energy products from a variety of sources. Assets include the Figure Four natural gas property located in the Piceance Basin, Colorado, being developed under a drilling and development agreement; the Groundhog coal property located in northwest British Columbia; the Tulita coal property in the Northwest Territories; and the Ellesmere Island, Nunavut Territory coal property.

About Lu'An Mining Group: Lu'An is a multi-billion dollar company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, China and is a partner of WHE with a focus on gas and coal gasification. Lu'An's business includes coal mining, coal gasification to liquids, coal power generation and coal chemicals.

Cautionary Note: This report contains forward looking statements, particularly those regarding cash flow, capital expenditures and investment plans. Resource estimates, unless specially noted, are considered speculative. The Company has filed a National Instrument 51-101 Report on the Figure Four property. The Company has filed National Instrument 43-101 Reports for each of the Tulita coal property in the Northwest Territories, the Nunavut Coal property and the Groundhog Coal property. Any and all other resource or reserve estimates are historical in nature, and should not be relied upon. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on factors that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may vary depending upon exploration activities, industry production, commodity demand and pricing, currency exchange rates, and, but not limited to, general economic factors. Cautionary note to U.S. investors: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission specifically prohibits the use of certain terms, such as "reserves" unless such figures are based upon actual production or formation tests and can be shown to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not yet reviewed and does not take responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Contacts: West Hawk Development Corp. Dr. Wm. Mark Hart President and Chief Executive Officer (303) 524-1424 (303) 524-1285 (FAX) Website: www.westhawkdevelopment.com

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