SARIS Captures Attention of Industry Experts at Recent Trade Shows.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 1999--

IDS (TSE:ISD) announced today the unveiling of its SARIS (Scintrex Automated Resistivity Imaging System) at two recent geophysical industry symposiums.

Its potential applications include groundwater exploration, environmental site investigation, archaeology and mineral exploration.

"The SARIS was a focus of attention at SAGEEP (Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Environmental & Engineering Problems) in Oakland, CA, and at PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) in Toronto," said Phil Hembruff, Vice President of Scintrex Earth Science Instrumentation, a subsidiary of IDS. "We expect to begin production in the Third Quarter, with initial orders delivered by the end of the year."

The new SARIS combines a transmitter and receiver in one device and uses intelligent electrodes to provide users with an electrical image of the subsurface. It is uniquely capable of providing inversion of resistivity sounding data in the field -- facilitating rapid data analysis that gives it a huge advantage over competing systems.

"SAGEEP is attended by the leading scientists and technologists in the geophysical field and their recognition is an important endorsement of our technological expertise," continued Hembruff. "And the interest at PDAC reflects the growing emphasis on environmental monitoring in the mining and development sectors. It represents exciting opportunities for our technology."

"This is a brand new product that represents a brand new revenue stream for IDS," said Dr. Mariusz Rybak, President and Chief Executive Officer of IDS. "The Scintrex brand is very strong in geophysical markets worldwide and we believe we can lever our unique position with an expanded and enhanced product offering."

IDS is a dynamic developer, manufacturer and marketer of sophisticated detection devices and systems. The company operates through seven business units: Analytical & Security products and solutions, IDS Power Control Systems, Scintrex Earth Science Instrumentation, Survey & Exploration Technology Services, IEC (Integration, Engineering and Consulting), ChemiCorp International and Caduceon Inc.

Its more than 70 products range from drug and explosive detectors to nuclear safety control instruments, airborne and ground geophysical survey services, geophysical instrumentation for mineral, oil and gas exploration and developing technologies for industrial process control and point-of-care health analysis. IDS's Internet web site is located at www.idsdetection.com; and ChemiCorp's web site is at www.chemicorp.com

IDS operates worldwide in Canada, the US, France, UK, Australia and Brazil, and is publicly traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: ISD). ChemiCorp is traded on the OTC BB (symbol: CCIX).

For more information, please contact IDS through their e-mail address: [e-mail]