Pallas Green Drilling Update

·; MINCO REPORTS FURTHER DRILL RESULTS FROM PALLAS GREEN

·; 29 HOLES INTERSECT MINERALISATION

Dublin, 9 June, 2010 - Minco Plc (AIM-"MIO"), the Irish exploration and development company, is pleased to report that a total of 26,983 metres of drilling has been completed in 58 holes on the Pallas Green joint venture project during the first five months of 2010.

Of the 58 holes completed to the end of May, 29 holes have intersected significant mineralisation, 18 either intersected minor or no mineralisation or failed to test reef limestone stratigraphy at the target depth and 11 were holes drilled to test regional stratigraphy.

Further results are now available for holes drilled in the main Tobermalug resource area, the Northwest Extension area, West-northwest Extension area, new areas to the north and east of the Tobermalug resource area and the Southern Extension area. The results do not include any drilling in the Caherconlish South or Knockroe areas.

Commenting on the latest drill results, Terence McKillen, Minco's Chief Executive stated, "The step out part of this year's drill programme is confirming the enormous lateral extent of the mineralising system at Caherconlish where we are finding mineralised extensions to the main Tobermalug deposit in all directions, as well as locating completely new zones of mineralisation. We remain very excited by the overall potential of the Pallas Green property to host one or more world class zinc-lead deposits."

The drilling is part of an ongoing US$10 million exploration programme where sixteen drills continue to follow up these and other mineralised zones within the greater Caherconlish discovery area and represents approximately 38% of 70,000 metres of drilling planned for the full year.

The Pallas Green zinc-lead Joint Venture project in Co. Limerick, Ireland is a 23.6%/76.4% joint venture with Xstrata Zinc.

Tobermalug Resource Area

Most of the drilling within the Tobermalug resource area has involved 50 m and 100 m infill drilling, providing more detailed information on the distribution of mineralisation within the known boundaries of the resource.

Hole MN-2529-082 - a 50 m infill hole in the central part of the Tobermalug resource area intersected 1.0 m of high grade mineralisation from 386.85 m to 387.85 m grading 18.09% Zn and 0.93% Pb.

Hole MN-2529-087 - a 50 m infill hole located within the central part of the Tobermalug resource area, intersected 7.35 m between 394.30 m and 401.65 m averaging 7.73% Zn and 0.86% Pb. This infill hole is adjacent to holes MN-2529-028 (16.85m at 14.93% Zn and 2.57% Pb), MN-2529-081 (9.80m at 12.05% Zn and 1.29% Pb), MN-2529-041 (2.70m at 10.83% Zn and 1.59% Pb) and MN-2529-093 (1.00 m 387.6 m to 388.60 m, grading 12.8% Zn and 3.01% Pb and 1.25 m from 396.65 m to 397.90 m, grading 27.10% Zn and 4.75% Pb or 10.30 m from 387.6 m to 397.90 m, grading 5.05% Zn and 0.96% Pb).

Hole MN-2529-091 - a 50 m step out hole within the central part of the Tobermalug resource intersected 2.40 m from 387.10 m to 389.50 m, grading 9.25% Zn and 1.46% Pb and 0.95 m from 405.30 m and 406.25 m, grading 28.64% Zn and 9.04% Pb.

Hole MN-2529-093 - a 50 m infill hole within one of the Tobermalug resource area hotspots intersected 1.00 m 387.6 m to 388.60 m, grading 12.8% Zn and 3.01% Pb and 1.25 m from 396.65 m to 397.90 m, grading 27.10% Zn and 4.75% Pb or 10.30 m from 387.6 m to 397.90 m, grading 5.05% Zn and 0.96% Pb.

Northwest (NWX) and West-Northwest Extension (WNWX) Resource Areas

Drilling in the NWX and WNWX areas has involved wider step out holes of 100-250 m to establish the outer limits of the resource areas.

Hole MN-636-145 - a 100 m step out hole proximal to the NW trending Caherconlish Fault intersected two zones of mineralisation. One of 6.20 m from 321.75 m to 327.95 m grading 8.25% Zn and 3.51% Pb and another of 2.50 m from 375.35 m to 377.85 m grading 4.91% Zn and 0.47% Pb. The hole is located 100 m SE from hole MN-636-122 (2.55 m of 12.30% Zn and 2.1% Pb).

Hole MN-636-146 - a 150 m step out hole WSW of MN-636-107 (1.2 m at 18.75% Zn and 1.19% Pb and 4.15 m of 9.05% Zn and 1.46% Pb), parallel to the strike of the Caherconlish Fault, intersected 1.65 m from 337.90 m to 339.55 m grading 41.05% Zn and 3.72% Pb, confirming the potential for high grade mineralisation to occur proximal to the fault zone.

Hole MN-636-152 - located in the WNWX area, 590 m northeast from hole MN-636-015 to test the eastern side of a NNW striking structure that controls the western extent of the Caherconlish South deposit, intersected 3.15 m from 282.10 m to 285.25 m grading 7.82% Zn and 0.73% Pb.

MN-636-153 - an angled hole drilled from the collar position of hole MN-636-134 within the NWX zone, intersected 3.20 m from 368.95 m to 372.15 m grading 6.64% Zn and 1.34% Pb.

Hole MN-636-155 - a 100 m step out hole in the NWX resource area, to the northwest of MN-636-121 (3.45m at 24.20% Zn and 5.43% Pb), parallel to the strike of the Caherconlish Fault - the inferred feeder structure, intersected 2.30 m from 331.60 m to 333.90 m grading 23.97% Zn and 9.36% Pb.

Hole MN-636-162 - a 100 m step out hole in the NWX Resource area intersected 5.65 m from 377.75 m to 383.40 m, grading 6.03% Zn and 1.08% Pb or 9.95 m from 375.75 m to 385.70 m grading 4.30% Zn and 0.64% Pb.

Hole MN-636-163 - a 100 m step out hole within the NWEX resource area has intersected over 43.5 metres of low grade zinc and lead mineralisation (estimated), opening up a new focus in the Northwest Extension area.

North and East of Tobermalug Resource Area

Drilling to the north and east of the main Tobermalug resource area has involved wider step out holes to establish the outer limits of the resource area. This programme has successfully identified new areas of mineralisation that are being followed up.

Hole MN-636-147 - this hole, located to the east of the main Tobermalug deposit, intersected faulted agglomeratic intrusive at the target depth. A series of high grade sphalerite and galena veinlets were intersected within the agglomerate, suggesting that the associated fault may be a mineralising structure that could control the massive sulphide mineralisation intersected along strike in holes MN-636-008 and 010. A 2.55 m intersection from 402.25 m to 404.80 m graded 9.44% Zn and 1.28% Pb.

Hole MN-636-157 - a step out hole north of Tobermalug has intersected 5.50 m from 429.30 m to 434.80 m: grading 5.23% Zn and 0.33% Pb.

Hole MN-636-166 - a 100 m step out hole to the north of Tobermalug has intersected 4.90 m of massive sulphides (assays awaited). The hole is located 100m north of hole MN-636-148 (3.95 metres averaging 2.77% zinc and 0.11% lead ) and about 200 m northeast of MN-636-008 (0.51 m @ 1.59% Zn and 0.04% Pb) and opens up a possible extension of the Tobermalug deposit to the north.

South of Tobermalug Resource Area

Drilling to the south of the main resource at Tobermalug has involved wider step out holes to establish the outer limits of the resource area and to seek new, adjacent zones of mineralisation.

Hole MN-2529-083 - a 100 m step out hole to the south of the Tobermalug resource to test area between MN-2529-072 (2.2 m 13.47% Zn and 0.85% Pb) and MN-2529-073 (6.10 m at 7.91% Zn and 2.93% Pb), intersected two zones of mineralisation. One of 2.60 m from 538.45 m to 541.05 m grading 7.36% Zn and 0.68% Pb and another of 6.65 m from 547.35 m to 554.00 m grading 4.80% Zn and 0.45% Pb.

Hole MN-2529-090 - a step out hole testing the continuity of mineralisation along the Caherconlish Fault footwall within the Tobermalug South Zone intersected 2.80 m from 479.90 m to 482.70 m, grading 5.99% Zn and 3.11% Pb.

Qualified Person

The above information has been reviewed and verified by Mr. Terence N McKillen, B.A. (MOD), M.A., M.Sc., P.Geo, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McKillen is the Qualified Person for the purposes of the AIM Guidance Note on Mining, Oil and Gas Companies dated March 2006. Mr. McKillen is a graduate in Natural Sciences (Geology) from Trinity College Dublin and holds a Master of Science degree in Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology from the University of Leicester. He has 40 years of exploration experience in Ireland and internationally.

About Minco

Minco PLC is an AIM quoted precious and base metals exploration and development company engaged in zinc exploration on the Pallas Green property in Ireland in a 23.6%/76.4% joint venture with Xstrata Zinc and investments in zinc-silver projects in Mexico through its shareholding in Xtierra Inc. listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (Toronto) under the symbol "XAG".