Athens, March 5, 2001 - The year 2000 was the best ever in terms of profitability for Silver & Baryte Ores Mining Co. S.A. (BAR.AT) (ARBA GA). The company's consolidated profits before taxes and minority rights reached 9.8 billion GRD, versus 6.7 billion GRD, an increase of 45.7%. Consolidated turnover reached 102.7 billion GRD showing a 51.7% increase from 1999.?The financial results of our Group are particularly gratifying this year? commented Mr. Ulysses Kyriacopoulos, Chairman of the Board. ?The sharp increase in our profits reflects a series of business successes. Our bauxite exports to Russia increased from 70,000 tons in 1999 to 400,000 tons in 2000. Demand for the Group's bentonite also rose, particularly in the foundry and iron ore palletizing markets. The contribution of our subsidiary MOTODYNAMICS S.A. (formerly YAMAHA Motor Hellas) was significant, with pretax profits of 1.6 billion GRD and a 20 billion GRD turnover. The Group registered a sizable capital gain from the sale of part of our equity stake in a gold-mining company in Thrace. Changing the accounting method of inventories from LIFO to average cost had a positive impact on our results as well?.Total assets of Silver & Baryte Ores Mining Co. S.A. increased by 25.7%. Fixed assets reached 60.4 billion GRD versus 46.7 billion GRD in 1999, while participations decreased from 7.7 billion GRD in 1999 to 4 billion GRD reflecting the full consolidation of the subsidiary IKO-E, which took place for the first time in 2000. Net debt of Silver & Baryte Ores Mining Co. S.A. (debt less cash and bonds) reached the amount of 33.7 billion GRD in 2000 versus 24.4 billion GRD in 1999, while equity reached 38.9 billion GRD in 2000 from 33.5 billion GRD in 1999.