Theft ruled out as RCMP completes investigation into precious metal
reconciliation at the Royal Canadian Mint

OTTAWA , Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has received written confirmation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that its thorough investigation into the unreconciled difference of gold and silver inventories at the end of the 2008 Fiscal Year does "not support further effort in the continuance of a criminal investigation into this matter".

This conclusion is consistent with the outcome of reviews of physical security and computer systems at the Mint's Ottawa facility by the Banks Group and Microsoft Services.

The Mint has reviewed physical security, technical processes and prior period accounting with the assistance of external third party experts. These reviews are complete and the Mint will make these reports public by mid-December 2009, once the audit of the Mint's 2008 financial statements is completed by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada .

The RCMP letter can be viewed on the Mint's website at www.mint.ca.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world. With facilities in both Ottawa and Winnipeg , the Mint is a commercial Crown Corporation which produces and manages the distribution of circulation coins and provides advice to the Government of Canada on matters related to coinage. The Mint also designs, produces and markets numismatic coins and gift products and also manufactures coins and blanks for countries around the world. The Mint operates full-service gold and silver refineries, offers storage services to Canadian and international customers and produces precious metal products for the investment community. For a complete overview of the Mint's products and services, visit www.mint.ca.

For further information: Christine Aquino, Director, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, [phone], [email protected]