TMX group

TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - Standard & Poor's will make the following
changes in the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index after the close of trading on
Friday, October 21, 2005:

-   Silvercorp Metals Inc. (TSXVN:SVM) will be removed from the index.
    The company will graduate to trade on the TSX under the same ticker
    symbol. The CUSIP number is 82835P 10 3.

Company additions to and deletions from an S&P equity index do not in any
way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the company.

Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is
the world's foremost provider of independent credit ratings, indices, risk
evaluation, investment research, data and valuations. With approximately 6500
employees located in 22 countries, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of
the world's financial infrastructure, and has played a leading role for more
than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they
need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions.
For more information, visit www.standardandpoors.com.
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global
information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial
services, education and business information markets through leading brands
such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The
Corporation has more than 280 offices in 37 countries. Sales in 2004 were
$5.3 billion. Additional information is available at          
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.