Conoco Added to S&P 500 Index.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 1999--

Standard & Poor's will replace Battle Mountain Gold (BMG) in the S&P 500 with Conoco Inc. (COC.B) after the close of trading Friday, August 6, 1999. S&P 500 component Dupont (DD) is splitting off the remaining 70% of Conoco it owns in a tender offer which expires on that date. Battle Mountain Gold is being removed for lack of representation.

Conoco is an integrated energy company. The company, headquartered in Houston, Texas will be added to the S&P 500 Oil (Domestic Integrated) industry group.

Following is a summary of the announced changes:

                    S&P 500 INDEX -- August 6, 1999

           COMPANY           ECONOMIC SECTOR    INDUSTRY GROUP

ADDED    Conoco Inc (B)        Energy          Oil(Domestic Integrated)

DROPPED  Battle Mountain Gold  Basic Materials Gold & Precious Metals
                                                Mining

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