FATALITY AT ITS KANSANSHI OPERATION

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS REPORTS FATALITY AT ITS KANSANSHI OPERATION

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum", TSX Symbol "FM", LSE Symbol "FQM") regretfully reports that one of its employees was fatally injured, one other critically injured and four others injured as a result of an industrial incident at its Kansanshi processing plant on January 16, 2013.

The Company is in contact with and is providing support to the employees' families. All relevant authorities have been notified and the Mine's Safety Department is expected to commence their investigation later today. The mine has already commenced its internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

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 contact: Clive Newall, PresidentTel: +44 140 327 3484 Fax: +44 140 327 3494 E-Mail: [email protected]

Jefferies International: Peter Bacchus, Managing DirectorTel: +44 778 994 3482

Media: Harmony Communications: Brian Cattell, Senior Partner

Tel: +44 20 7016 9155 or +44 7786 241 145