Exhibit 5.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 14, 2003, with respect to
the:

     1.   Consolidated balance sheets of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated
          as at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated
          statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each
          of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002, and

     2.   Item 18 -- Reconciliation with United States Generally Accepted
          Accounting Principles as at December 31, 2002 and 2001 and for each of
          the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2002,

incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the
heading "Experts" in the prospectus.



(signed) KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
January 14, 2004