New Director Appointment

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS APPOINTS STEVEN MCTIERNAN 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 Steven McTiernan to the Board of Directors. Mr. McTiernan will serve as a non-executive independent director effective August 14, 2010.

Mr. McTiernan is a senior executive with experience in both natural resources and investment banking. He has been Senior Independent Director of Tullow Oil PLC, a leading FTSE 100 independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Africa, Europe, South Asia and South America, since 2002. Mr. McTiernan was previously Senior Vice President at The Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, held senior energy-related positions at NatWest Markets and CIBC World Markets, and also worked for oil companies in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Mr. McTiernan graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Natural Sciences.

"We welcome Steve to the Board of Directors and look forward to working with him. His broad international business and finance experience will be a valuable addition to the Board, as the Company continues on its intended path of growth and diversification," 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 8th Floor, 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1X8 Tel: (647) 346-3934 Fax: (604) 688-3818 Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: [email protected] United Kingdom contact: Clive Newall, President 1st Floor, Mill House, Mill Bay Lane, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1TQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 140 327 3484 Fax: +44 140 327 3494 E-Mail: [email protected] Or Simon Hockridge

Hogarth Partnership Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7357 9477