Vancouver, BC– Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. (TSX: WRM, AMEX: WHT) is pleased to announce that Mr. Ian Telfer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton River Minerals, has been awarded the prestigious Murray Pezim Award by the BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines for perseverance and success in financing mineral exploration.

Under Ian Telfer’s leadership, Wheaton River has raised US$450 million in equity, completed six major acquisitions and in fiscal 2004 produced approximately 600,000 ounces of gold equivalent at less than US$50 per ounce. Since his appointment as Chairman and CEO of Wheaton River Minerals in 2001, Mr. Telfer has taken the company from a market capitalization of less than $35 million to $2.3 billion, transforming Wheaton River into one of Canada’s most profitable mining companies.
 
“Ian Telfer is truly a visionary in BC’s mining sector,” said Michael Gray, President of the BCYCM. “His insight and leadership have helped make Vancouver one of the world’s leading mineral exploration and mining centres.”

The BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines is an association of over 2,700 members including individual geoscientists, prospectors, entrepreneurs, suppliers and mineral producers, who are directly or indirectly engaged in mineral exploration in British Columbia and elsewhere throughout the world. Through representative action, public outreach and education, the BCYCM promotes a healthy environment and business climate for the mineral exploration industry on behalf of its members. The BCYCM is regarded as the predominant voice of mineral exploration and related issues in the province. Please visit www.chamberofmines.bc.ca

Contact:
Julia Hasiwar
Director, Investor Relations
Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.
Telephone: (604) 696-3011
Fax: (604) 696-3001
Email: ir@wheatonriver.com
Website: www.wheatonriver.com