Ivanhoe Mines joining with industry in commencing detailed discussions with the DRC Government to reach agreement on regulations to be implemented under the DRC’s 2018 mining code Mining industry to seek confirmation of existing 10-year stability

March 16, 2018

Ivanhoe Mines joining with industry in commencing detailed

discussions with the DRC Government to reach agreement on

regulations to be implemented

under the DRC’s 2018 mining code

Mining industry to seek confirmation of existing 10-year stability

provision through additional mining regulations

and transitional agreements

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF)

welcomes the forthcoming commencement of discussions with the Minister of Mines for the

Democratic Republic of Congo and other State representatives. The continued talks have the

goal of resolving, in a fair and equitable manner, the mining industry’s concerns with the new

DRC 2018 mining code through frank discussion of the terms of legally binding mining

regulations and potential transition agreements and amendments to the mining code. This

commitment to resolution was made on March 7, 2018 in a joint statement issued following

meetings in the DRC capital of Kinshasa, which included President Joseph Kabila Kabange,

the Honorable Minister of Mines Martin Kabwelulu, senior members of the DRC government

and senior executives of international mining companies that have operations in the DRC.

The guarantee of stability contained in Article 276 of the 2002 mining code provided that

current exploration and exploitation permit holders will benefit from the terms of the 2002

mining mode for a period of 10 years after the implementation of the mining code that replaces

the 2002 mining code. This stability clause formed the basis of many investment decisions in

the DRC and the stability provided by the 2002 mining code resulted in over US$10 billion in

direct investments by the mining industry which created over 20,000 full time jobs in the DRC.

Ivanhoe intends to seek confirmation that the 10-year stability guarantee will be respected

through the new mining regulations or transitional agreements. Adjustments to taxes and

royalties set forth in the 2018 mining code also will be raised in the upcoming meetings, as well

as other technical matters associated with the new mining code.

Ivanhoe’s Executive Chairman Robert Friedland commented, “What has been missing from the

media reports circulating around these changes is in-depth reporting of the key details of the

2002 and 2018 mining codes, including the existence of the 10-year stability clause in the 2002

mining code. This stability clause allows the mining companies to operate under the 2002

mining code for a period of 10 years after the promulgation of a new mining code. The

headlines simply do not tell the whole story. The 2018 mining code is a long and detailed new

piece of legislation that will be further supplemented by the forthcoming mining regulations and

potentially by transition agreements or amendments to the mining code. We have every

expectation these discussions will result in binding laws that address the industry’s concerns

and also fairly achieve the goals of the DRC government.”

2

Ivanhoe has been consistent in its position that an equitable distribution of profits and benefits

between the government, surrounding communities and international investors is necessary

and appropriate for a vibrant and healthy mining industry in the DRC. The forthcoming

negotiation of the mining regulations, which are expected to address the concerns raised by

the international investors in the DRC, is hoped to achieve this result, while recognizing prior

commitments by the government that have been made to various international investors.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa: 1) Mine

development at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper discovery on the Northern

Limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Complex; 2) mine development and exploration at the Tier

One Kamoa-Kakula copper discovery on the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC; and 3)

upgrading at the historic, high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-silver-germanium mine, also on the

DRC’s Copperbelt. For details, visit www.ivanhoemines.com.

Information contacts

Investors

Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834

Media

North America: Bob Williamson +1.604.512.4856

South Africa: Jeremy Michaels +27.82.772.1122