Robert T. Boyd, President and CEO of Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. ("Ashton" or "the Corporation") is pleased to report that a 56.5 kg sample of drill core collected from a kimberlitic dyke located within the North Anomaly on the Foxtrot property in north-central Quebec has returned 662 diamonds larger than 0.100 millimetres using a square mesh screen. At least 50 percent of the diamonds are interpreted to be fragments resulting from the disaggregation of a diamond exceeding two millimetres in size.

The North Anomaly is located five kilometres north of the Renard cluster of kimberlitic bodies. Till samples collected within the boundaries of the anomaly by Ashton and its 50:50 joint venture partner, SOQUEM INC. ("SOQUEM"), have returned six diamonds larger than 0.40 millimetres. The samples also contained peridotitic and eclogitic pyrope garnets whose chemical characteristics are indicative of the presence of diamond-bearing material. The distribution of till samples containing anomalous indicator minerals suggests the potential for additional kimberlitic sources to be present.

As reported on October 13, 2005, the kimberlitic dyke was intersected when seven core holes were drilled at three sites within the North Anomaly. Current data suggest that the dyke has an average drill thickness of 1.2 metres and a minimum strike length of 225 metres. The cumulative 56.5 kg of drill core was analyzed for diamonds by caustic dissolution at Ashton's North Vancouver laboratory and the results are summarized below.

As stated above, more than 50 percent of the 662 diamonds are interpreted to be fragments resulting from the disaggregation of a diamond exceeding two millimetres in size. The analysis of the fragments suggests that this diamond was an aggregate stone that incorporated other minerals. Because the other minerals are not as competent as diamond, the crystal is believed to have fractured during processing.

The results from the 56.5 kg sample, the first from this dyke to be analyzed for diamonds, encourage the joint venture to continue evaluating the body in 2006 to define its strike and width potential and to confirm its diamond content. The joint venture also intends to investigate, by ground geophysical surveys, the areas within the North Anomaly that are believed to be the sources of unexplained indicator mineral dispersions. Targets resulting from this work will be ranked in priority for further investigation by drilling. 

Update on Results from Hibou and Lynx Dykes

The diamond results from the samples collected in 2005 by trenching at the Hibou dyke are expected in January and those from the Lynx dyke are expected later in the first quarter of 2006.

Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. and SOQUEM INC.

Ashton's prime objective is the discovery or acquisition of diamond prospects capable of rapid advancement to development and production. The Corporation is recognized as one of the leading explorers in the Canadian diamond industry. Ashton's competitive advantages include the significant exploration experience of its key personnel as well as its extensive in-house laboratory facilities in North Vancouver, dedicated to the Corporation's exploration projects.

SOQUEM INC. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Société générale de financement du Québec ("SGF"). The mission of the SGF, an industrial and financial holding company, is to undertake economic development projects in the industrial sector in cooperation with partners and in compliance with the economic development policies of the Government of Quebec.

Ashton is the operator of the joint venture's exploration programs. Brooke Clements, Professional Geologist and Ashton's Vice President Exploration, is a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Clements is responsible for the design and conduct of the Corporation's exploration programs and for the verification and quality assurance of analytical results.

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