BMO Capital Markets to Host 19th Annual Global Metals & Mining Conference

JOHANNESBURG, February 23, 2010 -

    -   Industry leaders from six continents will attend one of the largest
        metals and mining investor conferences in the world
    -   Few other sectors have changed as rapidly
    -   Consolidation has created a truly global industry, with companies
        investing heavily far from home

A record 1,300 people are registered to
attend the 19th annual BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference,
one of the largest events in the world for metals and mining investors. The
event will be held from February 28 to March 3 in Hollywood, Florida.

"BMO's annual Metals and Mining conference will provide investors a
unique opportunity to meet executives from about 230 leading mining companies
from around the world. From Australia to South Africa; China to Brazil; India
to Canada; nearly 30 countries will be represented, which is a truly
outstanding turnout," said Eric Tripp, President, BMO Capital Markets.

"BMO has nearly a century of service to this dynamic sector. Hosting
distinctive events such as this helps our clients better understand the
forces that shape the industry as they look for new global opportunities,"
added Mr. Tripp.

    Some of the companies scheduled to present include:

     -   AngloGold Ashanti (ANG)
     -   Barrick Gold Corp (ABX)
     -   Gold Fields (GFI)
     -   Great Basin Gold
     -   Harmony Gold Mining
     -   Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX)
     -   Ivanhoe Mines (IVN)
     -   Rio Tinto plc (RIO)

The three-day event will be hosted by BMO's Metals & Mining Equity
Research team. With 10 dedicated metals and mining analysts in Toronto,
London, and Denver, the BMO team collectively covers more than 125 companies,
making it one of the largest mining research efforts in the world.

"We anticipate one of the main themes this year will again be
consolidation," said Tony Robson, Co-Head, Metals & Mining Research, BMO
Capital Markets.

"Few other sectors have changed as rapidly in recent years. Consolidation
has created a truly global industry, with companies investing heavily far
from home," added David Haughton, Co-Head, Metals & Mining Research, BMO
Capital Markets.

    Members of the BMO Metals & Mining Equity Research Group comprise:

    David Haughton, Co-Head, Metals & Mining Research and Precious Metals
    Analyst
    Tony Robson, Co-Head, Metals & Mining Research and Metals and Mining
    Analyst
    Meredith Bandy, Research Analyst, Coal, Metals & Mining
    Andrew Breichmanas, Research Analyst, Precious Metals & Mining
    David Cotterell, Research Analyst, Metals & Mining
    John Hayes, Director, Mining Exploration Analyst
    Andrew Kaip, Vice President, Precious Metals & Mining
    Bart Melek, Vice President, Global Commodity Strategist
    David Radclyffe, Managing Director, Metals & Mining Analyst
    Edward Sterck, Research Analyst, Uranium, Metals & Mining

A list of participating companies and an up-to-the-minute agenda(x) with
presentation times for the conference are available on the web site:
www.bmocm.com/conferences/metalsandmining2010

(x)Agenda subject to change

Members of the media are required to register directly with BMO's Media
Relations Group prior to the conference to gain access to presentations that
will be webcast.

Media interested in scheduling telephone interviews are asked to call:
+1-(416)-867-3996 or +1-(866)-298-8385.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO
Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial
services providers in North America with US$359 billion total assets and more
than 36,000 employees as at October 31, 2009. BMO Capital Markets offers
corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of
investment and corporate banking products and services in 27 offices
worldwide including London, Paris, Beijing, Mumbai and Melbourne.

For further information: Media Contacts: William Smith, London,
william.smith@bmo.com, +44-(0)-207-664-8121; Kim Hanson, Toronto,
kim.hanson@bmo.com, +1-(416)-867-3996; Holly Holt, New York,
holly.holt@bmo.com, +1-(646)-919-8629;

For further information: Media Contacts: Kim Hanson, Toronto, kim.hanson at bmo.com, +1-(416)-867-3996; Holly Holt, New York, holly.holt at bmo.com, +1-(646)-919-8629; David Suma, Toronto, david.suma at bmo.com,+1-(416)-359-7489