EXPLORATION 1997 — Triton finds more gold at Limon

Gold production at the Limon mine in Nicaragua is steadily improving.

Triton Mining (TTM-T) achieved record gold production in the fourth quarter of 1996, producing 3,147 oz. in October, 3,200 oz. in November and 3,861 oz.

in December — for total production of 10,208 oz.

Output during January — 4,015 oz. gold from 29,771 tonnes grading 5.06 grams gold per tonne — exceeded the company’s forecast. The cash cost of production that month was US$262 per oz.

The gold resource had increased to 697,000 oz. at year-end from 336,000 oz.

at the end of 1995. About 46,000 oz. were mined last year.

Mine exploration during the last half of 1996 attempted to re-categorize inferred resources as measured and indicated.

In addition to drilling new targets, exploration at the mine will focus on continued resource development to support production expansion. Triton forecasts gold production at Limon at 50,000 oz. this year, 62,700 oz. in 1998 and 76,200 oz. in 1999.