Xtierra Financing

Minco Plc (the "Company")

XTIERRA TO RAISE UP TO $4.2 MILLION

Dublin, 24 December, 2010 - Minco Plc (London AIM | MIO), the Irish exploration and development

company reports that Xtierra Inc. (TSXV | XAG) yesterday announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 14.5 million units ("Units") for gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million Canadian or $0.28 per unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of Xtierra (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share at $0.40 per share for two years.

Sprott Asset Management LP for and on behalf of certain funds has agreed to purchase 9 million units ($2.52 million). In connection with the placement to Sprott Asset Management LP, the Company has agreed to pay a cash finder's fee of 4% of the proceeds of such placement.

Under existing agreements the Pacific Road Resource Fund group, a substantial shareholder in the Company, has the right to participate in this placement and have indicated they intend to do so.

The placement is subject to regulatory approval. All securities issued will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issue in accordance with applicable securities laws and the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange. All terms of the offering are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The proceeds of the placement are for feasibility work on Xtierra's Bilbao silver‐zinc‐lead-copper project in Zacatecas, Mexico, exploration and working capital.

About Xtierra Inc.

Xtierra Inc. is a Toronto based exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Xtierra's shares trade under the symbol "XAG". Xtierra has 84,637,003 shares issued and outstanding. Xtierra is conducting a feasibility study on its Bilbao silver‐zinc‐lead-copper project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Xtierra's objective is to become a mid‐tier producer of precious and base metals through the development of its Bilbao project as well as through exploration, organic growth and M & A opportunities.

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 joint venture with Xstrata

Zinc and investments in zinc‐silver projects in Mexico through its 40% shareholding in Xtierra Inc.

listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (Toronto) under the symbol "XAG".