To: ralfph who wrote (7232 ) 3/18/2002 8:55:14 PM From: Al Collard Respond to of 11802 MLR-v ...in the news:Mandalay grants La Quebrada option to BHP Billiton Mon 18 Mar 2002 News Release Mr. Juraj Adamec reports Mandalay Resources has signed a letter agreement with BHP Billiton World Exploration Inc. (BBWEI) whereby BBWEI is granted an option to acquire up to a 70-per-cent interest in the La Quebrada property, Chile. BBWEI shall make an equity investment of $75,000 (U.S.) in Mandalay, which shall form part of a financing of not less than $250,000 (U.S.), to be completed by Mandalay before March 31, 2002. Upon completion of the financing, a minimum of $200,000 (U.S.) of the proceeds must be spent to finance an exploration program and must include a minimum of 1,500 metres of drilling. BBWEI shall have 60 days from the date it receives the results of the drill program to elect whether to continue with the option. If BBWEI elects to continue, it will assume all of Mandalay's obligations for future cash payments, future exploration expenditures and for completing a feasibility report on the property. Mandalay holds an option to earn 100 per cent of the property under the terms of July 25, 2001, option agreement with Inversiones Y Mineria Andale Ltda. and Exploraciones Rio Brava Ltda. La Quebrada is a stratabound copper-silver prospect in northern-central Chile, which covers over 10,000 hectares, located 40 kilometres northeast of the city of La Serena. The property lies at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level. Previous reports indicate finely disseminated copper and silver mineralization, which is contained within calcareous sediments. In the past the property has received limited drilling, mapping and sampling. Results from sampling and trenching indicate grades of 1.06 per cent copper over 26 metres, 3 per cent copper over 30 metres and 1 per cent copper over 40 metres.