Ashton Appoints New President and CEO.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2000

Dr. David S. Robertson, Chairman of the Board of Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. (TSE:ACA.) ("Ashton") is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert T. Boyd as the Corporation's new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Boyd's appointment will be effective June 1, 2000, at which time he will also become a Director of the Corporation.

A mining executive with more than 25 years of experience in exploration, executive-level management and corporate finance, Robert Boyd comes to Ashton from Geographe International MFS Inc., a financial advisory firm where he was a founding principal and major shareholder. Prior to Geographe, Mr. Boyd was Vice President Exploration for Homestake Canada Limited where he was responsible for Homestake's Canadian exploration, financial and administrative group. Mr. Boyd will lead Ashton's ongoing exploration, financing and acquisition efforts as its highly experienced staff pursues an extensive program of growth through strategic partnerships and exploration for diamonds in North America.

Mr. Boyd commented, "I am excited and enthusiastic about leading the next stage of growth for Ashton. The recently announced rights offering will provide me with the rare opportunity of overseeing a well financed company that has a major shareholder prepared to support our continued development."

Mr. Boyd replaces Mr. John S. Auston, who earlier announced his retirement effective May 31, 2000. The Board of Directors commends Mr. Auston for his four years with Ashton, in which he made a considerable contribution to the Corporation through his leadership and vision.

Ashton is a diamond exploration company with interests in a wide range of exploration properties in Canada and the United States. The Corporation is 62 per cent owned by Ashton Mining Limited of Australia, a leading international diamond exploration, mining and marketing company.