Appointment of Independent Director

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS APPOINTS MICHAEL HANLEY AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company", TSX Symbol "FM", LSE Symbol "FQM") is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hanley to the Board of Directors. Mr. Hanley will serve as a non-executive independent director effective December 10, 2012.

Mr. Hanley has over 20 years of senior executive experience. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice-President Operations and Strategic Initiatives and member of the Office of the President at National Bank of Canada. From 1998 to 2008, Mr. Hanley held various executive roles at Alcan, including President and CEO of its global Bauxite and Alumina business group, and his final position of Executive Vice-President and CFO. He currently serves as an Independent Director and Audit Committee chair for BRP, a manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of motorized recreational vehicles and powersports engines; and as independent director for Orbite Aluminae, a cleantech company.

Mr. Hanley holds a business degree from HEC Montréal and is a Chartered Accountant.

"We welcome Michael to the Board of Directors and look forward to working with him. His experience particularly in operations will be a valuable addition to the Board mix as First Quantum continues executing its transformational growth strategy to position the Company amongst the top 10 largest copper and nickel producers in the world," commented Philip Pascall, Chairman and CEO.

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 RelationsTel: (647) 346-3934 Fax: (604) 688-3818 Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: [email protected] United Kingdom contacts: Clive Newall, PresidentTel: +44 140 327 3484 Fax: +44 140 327 3494 E-Mail: [email protected]