BAM.A Brookfield Asset Management Inc

Tricap Partners II LP ("Tricap"), part of the Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (TSX: BAM.A)(NYSE: BAM)(EURONEXT: BAMA) group of companies, is pleased to announce that its newly established subsidiary, Hammerstone Corporation ("Hammerstone" or the "Company"), has successfully purchased the assets of Birch Mountain Resources Ltd. from PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as Interim Receiver.

Hammerstone's assets include approximately 1 billion tonnes of limestone reserves within the Athabasca oil sands of Alberta to the north of Fort McMurray. These reserves are located in the existing Muskeg Valley Quarry and related "Hammerstone Project" which collectively encompass over 50 years of production life within its 3,600 acres. The Hammerstone Project, which is subject to regulatory approval, contemplates expanded quarry operations together with lime and cement plants. The Company also acquired permits and leases for limestone and other minerals covering over 700,000 additional acres in the surrounding region.

Tricap is also pleased to announce that Terry Owen has been appointed President of Hammerstone. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Owen was the President of Trimac Transportation Services Inc., the leading provider of bulk trucking and logistics services in North America.

In commenting on the completion of the purchase Mr. Owen said: "I am very pleased to be associated with Hammerstone and Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield has a long and successful history in the mining industry and we are excited about the opportunity to work together with Tricap in launching a new, well-capitalized company and establishing ourselves as a leading supplier of high quality crushed limestone products in Western Canada. The vast limestone reserves acquired by Hammerstone are in the heart of the oil sands area of Alberta where the long-term prospects for growth remain very positive".

Mr. Owen also added: "Our new management team and dedicated group of employees in place at our quarry look forward to working with the First Nations communities and providing our 'Limestone Advantage' products to our customers."

Brookfield Asset Management Inc., focused on property, power and infrastructure assets, has approximately US$80 billion of assets under management and is co-listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BAM and BAM.A, respectively and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.brookfield.com.

Tricap was established by Brookfield Asset Management to provide a source of patient, long-term capital and strategic assistance to mid-market companies based in North America. With strong industry and financial management expertise, Tricap is well positioned to assist companies in building value over the long-term.

This press release contains forward-looking information and other "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words "will" and "expected" and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Although Tricap believes that the anticipated actions expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual outcome to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include: economic and financial conditions; the behaviour of financial markets including fluctuations in interest and exchange rates. We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts: Hammerstone Corporation Terry Owen President (403) 297-1679 TerryOwen@hammerstonecorp.com