January 31, 2001


Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street N.W.
Washington D.C. 20549

DearSir/Madam:

We have read the four  paragraphs of Item 4a included in the Form 8-K dated
January 31, 2001 of Ruby Mining Company  (Commission  File Number 0-750 1) filed
with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and are in  agreement  with the
statements contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Arthur Andersen, LLP