Anatolia Minerals Development Ltd fka ANO.U

[Ed Monton]

Anatolia Minerals to develop prospects

Anatolia to spend US$2 million over 2 years on 8 prospects. Three drills at Anatolia/Rio Tinto
Copler aimed at oxide gold mineralization.

TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ - Anatolia Minerals Development Limited (symbol:
ANO.U) plans to spend approximately US$2 million over 2 years to advance 8 of
its most prospective wholly-owned, non-Rio Tinto JV properties. These include
2 large porphyry copper systems, a 30-kilometer long gold belt, 3 massive
sulfide prospects (one adjacent to Inmet Mining Corporation's 20-million tonne
Cayeli mine) and 2 carbonate-hosted silver/zinc/lead prospects. Plans call for
a comprehensive program of geology, geochemistry, geophysics and drilling. The
program will commence with field season 2003. The primary goal of this program
is to advance these projects sufficiently to attract major joint venture
partners.
In addition, Anatolia Minerals and Rio Tinto Mining & Exploration Ltd.
('Rio Tinto') have three drills running at their JV Copler prospect. The
program aims to confirm and, hopefully, expand the shallow, oxide portion of
the 3.6 million ounce inferred resource announced in March, 2002. An initial
US$600,000 funding provides for an initial 2,000 meters of drilling in 20
holes and for more metallurgical, engineering and environmental work.
Favorable results should lead to additional funds and a conceptual study, the
first step in Rio Tinto's formal project review process. Rio Tinto has
earmarked US$2.4 million for its JV program with Anatolia in 2003.
In April, 2000, Anatolia and Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration formed a 4-
year strategic alliance to seek base and precious metal deposits in Turkey. To
date, Rio Tinto has funded over US$8 million for JV exploration, with
additional funding in 2003. Rio Tinto is currently earning into three
prospects in Turkey, each requiring expenditures of US$10.5 million and
payments of US$1.5 million for a 65% interest. Anatolia is teamed with one of
the premiere mining companies in the world, enabling it to explore and advance
its portfolio of exciting projects. Assays are performed by OMAC Laboratories,
Ireland, with quality control of sampling, preparation and assaying overseen
jointly by Rio Tinto and Anatolia whose President, Richard C. Moores, is a
"qualified person" for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities
regulations.
Anatolia has 30.5 million shares issued and outstanding, 37.9 million
fully diluted.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Anatolia trades
on the TSX Venture Exchange as ANO.U, and Rio Tinto plc trades on the London
and Australian Stock Exchanges as RIO and on the New York Stock Exchange as
RTP.




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For further information: Richard C. Moores, President,
[phone]/9947 (fax), or George Duggan, Investor Relations,
[phone]/249-7024 (fax), or visit www.anatolia-minerals.com