VANCOUVER, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - Great Basin Gold Ltd. ("Great Basin Gold" or the "Company") (TSX, NYSE Alternext, JSE: GBG) announced today that it will be trading on the new NYSE Alternext Exchange.

With the acquisition of the American Exchange (AMEX) by the NYSE, the ensuing merger has resulted in a new exchange and trading platform. The new exchange will be known as the NYSE Alternext.

On December 1, 2008 all NYSE Alternext US stocks began trading on the New York Stock Exchange's next generation market model which is now located on the NYSE's trading floor.

In addition, the former AMEX specialists have joined the NYSE Specialists, who are now called Designated Market Makers (DMM), and are utilizing the new trading technology. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in market share and greater participation by the DMMs in Alternext stocks, just as it was witnessed with NYSE Stocks.

Furthermore, Great Basin Gold is taking the opportunity to reestablish and update the trading symbol used in the United States. To date, Great Basin Gold has been identified in the American marketplace and on the AMEX with the symbol of GBN. In order to simplify the process and facilitate continuity across the board, the Company requested and was allocated the symbol "GBG". This will create a uniform and consistent basis for all investors worldwide. The Company currently trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as GBG.