Ashton Reports Microdiamond Results from Kimberlites in Alberta.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 1999--

Ashton Mining (ME:ACA) (TSE:ACA) John S. Auston, President and CEO of Ashton Mining of Canada Inc., reports results of microdiamond analyses of samples from four kimberlites discovered during the winter program of drilling on the Buffalo Hills and Joint Venture Lands Project in north-central Alberta.

A single vertical core hole was drilled on each of the four kimberlites reported below.

Kimberlite  Laboratory  Sample      Number of     Number of
                        Weight(kg)  Diamonds      Diamonds
                                    less than     greater
                                    0.5mm         than 0.5mm

BH-225         AMC       58.8         45              4
               AML       37.6         22              1
                         96.4         67              5(1)
BH-155         AMC      137.2         28              0
               AML      137.8          4              0
                        275.0         32              0
BH-230         AMC       87.6          0              0
               AML       88.8          1              0
                        176.4          1              0
LL-7           AMC       26.2          0              0
                         26.2          0              0

(1)  Largest stones:    1.4 x 0.6 x 0.5 mm
                        1.1 x 0.6 x 0.6 mm

Laboratories
AMC - Ashton Mining of Canada, North Vancouver
AML - Ashton Mining Limited, Perth, Australia

These recent analyses show that three of the four kimberlites are diamondiferous, with BH-225 returning a higher count of greater interest. BH-225 is indicated by a magnetic anomaly measuring approximately 125 metres by 100 metres. It is near kimberlite K-14 which was sampled earlier, and was discovered under 30 metres of overburden. Ashton is encouraged by the results from BH-225, and further work is being considered.

Kimberlite BH-155 is south of K-14, and is indicated by a magnetic anomaly measuring 150 metres by 100 metres. It was discovered under 34 metres of overburden. The microdiamond content, although less than that of BH-225, is of interest and additional work will be considered on this diamondiferous kimberlite as well.

Results are pending from kimberlites BH-229 and BM-16, also discovered during the 1999 winter program. Limited amounts of material were recovered from these two kimberlites. Upon completion of detailed logging, a small quantity from each will be processed for microdiamond content.

The joint venturers on the Buffalo Hills and Joint Venture Lands are Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. (TSE/ME:ACA), Alberta Energy Company Ltd. (TSE:AEC) (NYSE.AOG) and Pure Gold Minerals Inc. (TSE:PUG). Under arrangements between the parties announced on December 22, 1998 the interests of the joint venturers upon completion of currently-approved programs will be Ashton 45 percent; Alberta Energy 45 percent; and Pure Gold 10 percent. Ashton is the operator of the programs.

Ashton is a diamond exploration company with interests in a wide range of properties in Canada and the United States. It is 61.2 percent-owned by Ashton Mining Limited of Australia, a leading explorer, producer and marketer of diamonds which holds an interest of 40.1 percent in the Argyle diamond mine in northwestern Australia.

Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders April 29, 1999

Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. will hold its 1999 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on Thursday, April 29, 1999 at the Waterfront Centre Hotel, Malaspina Room, Concourse Level, 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, B.C., commencing at 2:00 p.m.

Following the corporate proceedings, John S. Auston, President and Chief Executive Officer, will review Ashton's current diamond exploration programs.