BMO Nesbitt Burns announced today that it has hired David Mallalieu as a managing director in the Equity Research Group in Toronto.

With more than 12 years of mining investment research experience and 10 years of mining industry experience, Mallalieu will be responsible for covering junior mining companies. He will report to Mike Miller, director of investment research, BMO Nesbitt Burns.

“David’s addition will allow us to achieve our goal of providing North American-based coverage of the top 100 mining companies globally. Our junior mining research team will comprise of David Mallalieu, Craig Miller and Jay Turner. We believe that this team will bring unparalleled experience and breadth to junior mining research coverage,” said Miller.

The research team will host the BMO Nesbitt Burns’ Global Resources Conference from March 1 to 3, in Tampa, Fla Considered one of the largest events of its kind, the conference brings together more than 450 leading corporate presenters, clients and institutional investors from around the world.

Resources analysts Geoff Stanley, Victor Lazarovici, Heather Douglas, Jay Turner, Craig Miller and David Mallalieu will moderate the sessions. Presentations will be broadcast live and archived via the Internet through a web link that can be accessed at: http://corporate.bmo.com/conferences/2004Resources/default.asp