First Quantum Announces the Resumption of Operations at Its Guelb Moghrein Mine

NEWS RELEASE 12-18 July 26, 2012 www.first-quantum.com

FIRST QUANTUM ANNOUNCES THE RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS AT ITS GUELB MOGHREIN MINE

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum” or the “Company”, TSX Symbol “FM”, LSE Symbol “FQM”) today announced that the majority of the workforce at its Guelb Moghrein copper-gold mine in Mauritania has returned to work and operations have resumed.

As a result of the temporary suspension of operations due to illegal strike action, the mine lost 12 production days. The Company continues to work through a government-facilitated mediation process to resolve the differences with the unions.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors 12g3-2b-82-4461 of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Listed in Standard and Poor’s G. Clive Newall President For further information visit our web site at www.first-quantum.com

North American contact: Sharon Loung, Director, Investor Relations Tel: (647) 346-3934 Fax: (604) 688-3818 Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: [email protected]

United Kingdom contact: Clive Newall, President Tel: +44 140 327 3484 Fax: +44 140 327 3494 E-Mail: [email protected]