Additional Listing

Brancote Holdings PLC
20 June 2002

                             Brancote Holdings plc


                               Additional Listing


Application has been made for the admission of 27,377,806 ordinary shares of 5p
each to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock
Exchange. These shares have been issued pursuant to and on completion of the
acquisition by Brancote of the minority interests in Minera El Desquite SA.


Meridian Gold Inc. ('Meridian') has filed a registration statement on Form F-4
with the SEC that includes the offer document/prospectus relating to Meridian's
offer for Brancote (the 'Offer'). Brancote shareholders are urged to read the
offer document/prospectus before they make any decision with respect to the
Offer because it contains important information. Brancote shareholders and
Meridian shareholders may obtain a free copy of the offer document/prospectus
and other documents filed by Meridian with the SEC at the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov. The offer document/prospectus and other documents may also be
obtained for free upon written or oral request from Meridian, 9670 Gateway
Drive, Suite 200, Reno, Nevada 89511-8953 USA, attention Heather Fatzer,
telephone [phone].




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