Vancouver, BC - Wheaton River Minerals (TSX: WRM, AMEX: WHT) is pleased to announce the appointment on December 3, 2004 of Mr. John Bell as a Director of Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.

Mr Bell was Canadian Ambassador to the Ivory Coast from 1984 to 1987 and then Ambassador to Brazil from 1987 to 1990. He also served as High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1993 to1996. Mr Bell was special advisor to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Canadian Delegation on environment issues during the lead-up to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, and was Canada's chief negotiator at the Earth Summit.

Mr. Bell resides in Vancouver and he is currently Chairman of Coast Cranberries and an independent director of Taiga Forest Products.

Wheaton River is a leading gold producer and expects 2006 production from all of its mines to increase to approximately 900,000 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of less that US$100 per ounce. Current production exceeds 500,000 gold equivalent ounces (over 400,000 ounces of gold and 7 million ounces of silver) at a total cash cost of less than US$50 per ounce.

For further information please contact Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. Investor Relations at 604-696-3011 or visit www.wheatonriver.com.