VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 6, 2012) - First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company" or "FQM") (TSX:FM)(LSE:FQM) today confirmed that operations at its Kansanshi copper/gold mine in Zambia have resumed and negotiations with the labour unions are continuing.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

G. Clive Newall, President

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Listed in Standard and Poor's


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        First Quantum Minerals Ltd. - North American Contact
        Sharon Loung
        Director, Investor Relations
        (647) 346-3934 or Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577
        Fax: (604) 688-3818(FAX)
        sharon.loung@fqml.com

        First Quantum Minerals Ltd. - United Kingdom Contact
        Clive Newall
        President
        +44 140 327 3484
        Fax: +44 140 327 3494(FAX)
        clive.newall@fqml.com
        www.first-quantum.com

        Maitland - United Kingdom Contacts
        Brian Cattell/James Devas
        +44 207 379 5151
        Fax: +44 20 7379 6161(FAX)
        jdevas@maitland.co.uk / bcattell@maitland.co.uk

Source: First Quantum Minerals Ltd.