(In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise)

TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company", TSX Symbol "FM") today provided the following update on its Kansanshi complex and Sentinel mine in Zambia:




    --  The four-week scheduled maintenance of the Kansanshi smelter was
        completed within the planned time period. The staged restart and ramp-up
        process was initiated on September 12; steady-state operations are
        expected during the week beginning September 18, 2017.


    --  Unrestricted power is now being provided to the Company's operations.


    --  An agreement has been reached between ZESCO (the state-run power
        company), the Government of the Republic of Zambia and First Quantum
        whereby:


        --  First Quantum agrees to a tariff increase, to approximately $0.09
            per kilowatt hour, provided that Kansanshi and Sentinel can each
            import a portion of their total power requirements from alternative
            suppliers.


        --  The tariff increase will be implemented in two increments, with the
            first commencing immediately and the second being applied once the
            details of power import arrangements are agreed and formalized by
            contract.


        --  The tariff will be reviewed upon finalization of a Cost of Service
            Study which has been commissioned by the Energy Regulation Board.
            The study is expected to be available in early 2018.


        --  The tariff is backdated to January 2017, with a portion of the
            arrears to be applied to improving the stability of power supplies
            for Kansanshi and Sentinel.


        --  The Government and ZESCO have committed to provide continuous
            unrestricted supply of power to First Quantum's operations and to
            facilitate the importation of power from alternative suppliers.
    --  Through management action, budgeted production at the Kansanshi and
        Sentinel mines have been maintained for the quarter to date.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
G. Clive Newall
President

SOURCE First Quantum Minerals Ltd.