First Quantum's Kansanshi Copper-Gold Mine Begins Commercial Production.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- (All figures expressed in US dollars) -

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX:FM)(LSE:FQM) is pleased to announce that as at 19 April 2005, the Kansanshi Copper-Gold Mine has commenced commercial production for GAAP purposes. In determining that commercial production had been reached for this purpose it was necessary for both the oxide and sulphide circuit to have run at above 65% of original design capacity continuously for a period of at least one week. During the commissioning stage (November 11, 2004 - April 19, 2005) Kansanshi production totaled 6,792 tonnes of copper in concentrate and 1,941 tonnes of finished copper cathode.

The GRD Minproc Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Kansanshi envisioned the treatment of 4 million tonnes of oxide ore and 2 million tonnes of sulphide ore. Capital additions carried out to the sulphide milling circuit during initial construction at Kansanshi have doubled design throughput of sulphide ore to 4 million tonnes per year. This increased the design output of copper concentrate and is expected to lead to concentrate production in 2005 substantially outperforming DFS forecasts. C1 (cash) cost for the combined oxide and sulphide production is expected to be $0.45 per pound of copper produced. A $29 million capital program committed for 2005 will further expand the sulphide circuit to eight million tonnes of treatment capacity which will result in an average of 145,000 tonnes of finished copper production per year during the period of 2006-2009.

First Quantum has also been investigating alternative processing routes for a portion of the increased copper concentrate production. To this end, the Company has purchased a complete "second-hand" pressure oxidation facility. The pressure oxidation facility is currently being dismantled and over the next several months will be transported to Kansanshi. Once on site, the pressure oxidation facility and ancillary equipment will be reconstructed and commissioned for use. An additional advantage of this technology at Kansanshi is that it will generate much of the acid required for oxide leaching. It will also enable the leach circuit to operate at elevated temperatures and hence substantially improve copper recovery in mixed ores. A full report of the impact of this process route is being prepared by independent consultants, Bateman Engineering Pty Ltd.

Philip Pascall, Chairman & CEO commented, "The successful development of Kansanshi is a credit to our project team and mine management and firmly establishes First Quantum's position in the re-emergence of the Zambian Copperbelt as a leading world producer of copper. This could not have been achieved without the Government of the Republic of Zambia's initiative of supporting new investment in the copper industry."

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

of First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

G. Clive Newall, President

12g3-2b-82-4461

Listed in Standard and Poor's 

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Certain of the information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those with respect to the prices of gold, copper and sulphuric acid, estimated future production, estimated costs of future production, the Company's hedging policy and permitting time lines, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the actual prices of copper, gold and sulphuric acid, the factual results of current exploration, development and mining activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the British Columbia Securities Commission and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX:FM) (LSE:FQM)