Minefinders Acquires Additional Prospects in Northern Sonora.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2000

Minefinders Corporation Ltd. (TSE:MFL.) (OTCBB:MNEFF)

Mark H. Bailey, President and CEO, is pleased to report that the company has acquired additional prospects within their 388 square kilometer Northern Sonora Project area located in Mexico.

The 460 hectare El Durazno concession was awarded to Minefinders via the Mexican government sponsored lottery process, and is composed of two previously existing concessions that have been combined into one. The new concession covers an area of precious metals mineralization and highly anomalous stream sediment geochemistry. Several areas of past precious metals mining also occur within the newly acquired concession area.

Approximately 75 rock chip samples have been collected from the area, with significant assay values ranging from 0.5 to more than 44 grams per tonne (0.015 to 1.3 ounces per ton) gold. Individual rock chip samples have returned assay values of 10.00, 11.50, and 44.57 grams per tonne gold (0.292, 0.336, and 1.3 ounces per ton gold, respectively). Mineralization is similar to that found within Minefinders' nearby La Bolsa deposit (greater than 230,000 ounces gold-equivalent) consisting primarily of quartz-adularia-calcite stockworks with associated sericitic alteration. Units hosting mineralization include Tertiary volcanic rocks and interbedded calcareous sediments.

Although sampling and reconnaissance geology of these new prospects is at a very early stage, preliminary results suggest high potential for the discovery of additional gold resources. Follow-up work will include detailed geological mapping and geochemical sampling to advance this prospect to the drilling stage. Acquisition of these new prospects emphasizes Minefinders' commitment to this highly prospective and rewarding area of Mexico.

Dolores Update

Drilling continues on the Dolores deposit and additional drill hole assay results will be reported next week when complete. The current 5000 meter drill program includes infill and stepout holes directed to confirm continuity of the high-grade feeder zones internal to the larger deposit. Two dozers have been upgrading the access roads and drill pads over the entire 4000 meter strike of surface mineralization. In addition to the infill holes already complete and those presently underway, planned drill holes will test high-grade surface gold mineralization up to 2000 meters north of the main zone gold and silver deposit.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors MINEFINDERS CORPORATION LTD. Mark H. Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer

Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995

Statements in this release that are forward-looking are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified above and in the corporation's periodic filings with the Ontario Securities Commission and the U. S. Securities Exchange Commission. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. The corporation does not intend to update this information and disclaims any legal liability to the contrary.