Ashton Mining -- State of Arkansas Reports Further Results from Testing of the Crater of Diamonds.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 1996-- Ashton Mining of Canada (TSE, ME ACA.) The State of Arkansas yesterday reported the second set of results of diamond sorting from its testing program on the Crater of Diamonds near Murfreesboro, Arkansas.

The results are from a sample of approximately 2,619 tons from four trenches in the easterly portion of the lamproite pipe.

The text of the State's release is:

Quote: The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism is continuing with the additional testing at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County near Murfreesboro. This testing is to evaluate the geology and grade of the diamond-bearing reserve at this Arkansas state park. As part of the testing program diamond sorting was conducted during the week ending December 2 on the diamond bearing concentrate from Trenches No. 2, No. 8, No. 13 and No. 14. A prior sort activity was conducted during the week ending November 1 on the diamond bearing concentrate from Trenches No. 7, No. 12 and No. 11.

In accordance with the Department's Press Release Policy this Press Release will include the following information -0- -- the total weight of diamonds recovered -- the total number of diamonds recovered -- the number of diamonds greater than one carat and less than two

carats -- individual weights of any stones greater than two carats -0-

The results of the sorting for the four trenches are:

TRENCH No. 2:

Total Carats Recovered                              0.301
Number of Stones Recovered                          6
Diamonds greater than 0.5 carat less than 1 carat   0
Diamonds greater than 1 carat less than 2 carat     0

TRENCH No. 8:

Total Carats Recovered                              6.210
Number of Stones Recovered                         26
Diamonds greater than 0.5 carat less than 1 carat   3
Diamonds greater than 1 carat less than 2 carat     0

TRENCH No. 13:

Total Carats Recovered                              5.659
Number of Stones Recovered                         27
Diamonds greater than 0.5 carat less than 1 carat   0
Diamonds greater than 1 carat less than 2 carat     1

TRENCH No. 14:

Total Carats Recovered                              7.157
Number of Stones Recovered                         27
Diamonds greater than 0.5 carat less than 1 carat   1
Diamonds greater than 1 carat less than 2 carat     1

Unquote

When combined with results from the first three trenches, a total of 157 stones weighing 36.08 carats now has been recovered from a sample of 4592 tons, for an average indicated content of 0.8 carat per 100 tons. Included are 15 stones of between 0.5 and 1.0 carat and 3 stones of between 1.0 and 2.0 carats.

Work is continuing to excavate samples from trenches on other portions of the pipe, with at least six trenches of 650 tons each remaining to be tested in the southern and central portions of the pipe.

Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. is a diamond exploration company with interests in a wide range of properties in Canada and the United States. It has the right to acquire an interest of 51 percent in a joint venture on the Crater of Diamonds if the joint venture were to be successful in any competitive bid for mining rights which might be called for by the State of Arkansas.

CONTACT: Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.

John Auston, 604/983-7750

or

Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.

Wayne D. Hillier, 604/983-7750