Sandstorm Metals & Energy Announces the Advancement of US$3 Million to Thunderbird Energy

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - July 11, 2012) - Sandstorm Metals & Energy Ltd. ("Sandstorm" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:SND) has agreed to advance a US$3 million payment to Thunderbird Energy Corp. ("Thunderbird") (TSX VENTURE:TBD). This US$3 million will be deducted from the scheduled US$10 million payment that is due to Thunderbird in May 2013, thereby reducing the scheduled May 2013 payment to US$7 million. In consideration for the accelerated payment, Sandstorm's natural gas purchase agreement will cover an expanded area of interest. Sandstorm is entitled to purchase 35% of all natural gas produced from Thunderbird's Gordon Creek project for US$1.00 per mcf.

Thunderbird will be using the proceeds of the advanced payment to complete and equip the 8 wells that have been drilled at Gordon Creek since late 2011. Thunderbird has committed to drill a total of 50 new wells and complete workover operations on 5 existing wells by December 31, 2013. For more information on Thunderbird or the Gordon Creek project, please visit www.thunderbirdenergy.com.


ABOUT SANDSTORM METALS & ENERGY

Sandstorm Metals & Energy Ltd. is a growth focused resource based company that seeks to complete commodity purchase agreements with companies that have advanced stage development or operating projects. A commodity purchase agreement involves Sandstorm making an upfront cash payment to its partners and in exchange, Sandstorm receives the right to purchase a percentage of the commodity produced for the life of the asset, at a fixed price per unit. Sandstorm helps other companies in the resource industry grow their business, while acquiring attractive assets in the process.

Sandstorm Metals & Energy is focused on low cost operations with excellent exploration potential and strong management teams. Sandstorm has completed commodity purchase agreements with Novadx Ventures Corp., Terrex Energy Inc., Donner Metals Ltd. and Thunderbird Energy Corp.

For more information visit: www.sandstormmetalsandenergy.com


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans", or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Sandstorm as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Sandstorm to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over operations from which Sandstorm will purchase commodities and risks related to those operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; problems inherent to the marketability of commodities; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of commodities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in interest rates; stock market volatility; competition; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risks to Sandstorm" in Sandstorm's annual report for the financial year ended December 31, 2011. Although Sandstorm has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Sandstorm does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that is contained or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Sandstorm does not provide any representation as to its comparability with other companies in its industry including, but not limited to, Franco-Nevada Corp., BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Contact

Sandstorm Metals & Energy Ltd.
Nolan Watson, President & Chief Executive Officer
(604) 689-0234

Sandstorm Metals & Energy Ltd.
Denver Harris, Investor Relations Contact
(604) 628-1178
www.sandstormmetalsandenergy.com