FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2003

Toronto Stock Exchange: WRM
American Stock Exchange: WHT

Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. (WRM: TSX; WHT: AMEX) announces the completion of its previously announced acquisition of an additional 12.5% interest in Bajo de la Alumbrera gold-copper mine in Argentina from BHP Billiton's wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Algom Limited.
 
"Wheaton River now owns 37.5% of the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine and we were able to acquire this latest 12.5% without issuing any additional equity”, stated Ian Telfer, Chairman & CEO, "In late May we received over US$11 million as our first cash distribution from the operation and we expect significant cash payments over the next ten years."
 
The US$90 million purchase price for the additional 12.5% interest was satisfied by the payment of US$65 million in cash and by the issuance of a promissory note in the amount of US$25 million at an interest of LIBOR plus 2%, which is due May 30, 2005. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded by a US$50 million term loan and a US$25 million revolving credit facility provided by HVB, SG Corporate & Investment Banking and Standard Bank London Limited.  Endeavour Financial acted as financial adviser to Wheaton River on these facilities.
 
Wheaton River now has annualized production of over 500,000 gold equivalent ounces (over 400,000 gold ounces and over 6 million silver ounces) at a cash cost per gold equivalent ounce of less than US$125.

Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those with respect to the price of gold, silver and copper, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, reserve determination and reserve conversion rates involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Wheaton River to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, among others, risks related to the integration of acquisitions, risks related to international operations, risks related to joint venture operations, the actual results of current exploration activities, actual results of current reclamation activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold, silver and copper, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Form 40-F on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.  Although Wheaton River has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.  There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
 
For further information please contact Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. Investor Relations at 1-800-567-6223 or email at ir@wheatonriver.com or visit www.wheatonriver.com.