VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 07/17/12 — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. („First Quantum“ or the „Company“) (TSX: FM)(LSE: FQM) today announced that it has temporarily suspended normal operations at its Guelb Moghrein copper-gold mine in Mauritania due to illegal strike action by some unionized employees.
The Company continues to work through a government-facilitated mediation process to achieve a resolution to the illegal strike and will update stakeholders as warranted.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
G. Clive Newall, President
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Listed in Standard and Poor-s
Contacts: First Quantum Minerals Ltd. – North American contact Sharon Loung Director, Investor Relations (647) 346-3934 or Toll Free: 1 (888) 688-6577 (604) 688-3818 (FAX)
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. – United Kingdom contacts Clive Newall President +44 140 327 3484 +44 140 327 3494 (FAX)