• 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

TORONTO, February 17, 2010 - 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:

• Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX)


• Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC)


• Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX)


• Goldcorp Inc. (GG)


• Ivanhoe Mines (IVN)


• Newmont Mining Co. (NEM)


• 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* with presentation times for the conference are available on the web site: www.bmocm.com/conferences/metalsandmining2010
* 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: (416) 867-3996 or (866) 298-8385.

About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider, with more than 2,200 employees operating in 14 North American offices and 27 worldwide, offering corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member 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.

For news media inquiries, please contact:
Kim Hanson, Toronto, kim.hanson@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996
Holly Holt, New York, holly.holt@bmo.com, (646) 919-8629
David Suma, Toronto, david.suma@bmo.com, (416) 359-7489