START OF RE-COMMISSIONING AT RAVENSTHORPE

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS ANNOUNCES START OF RE-COMMISSIONING OF THE ATMOSPHERIC LEACH CIRCUIT AT ITS RAVENSTHORPE NICKEL OPERATION

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company", TSX Symbol "FM", LSE Symbol "FQM") today reported that, on July 19, the atmospheric leach circuit at its Ravensthorpe nickel operation in Western Australia started re-commissioning after being shut down due to a tank failure in December 2014.

Steady-state production is expected by July 31, at which point the circuit should operate at 50% of production capacity, with throughput of 80 tonnes per hour.

It is planned that this capacity will continue for the next six months, while out of service leach tanks are progressively refurbished.

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 website 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]