TORONTO, CANADA--(Marketwire - Dec.

17, 2012) - Inmet Mining Corporation (Inmet) (TSX:IMN) responds to a news release issued yesterday by First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

announcing its intention to make an unsolicited takeover offer for Inmet.

The offer has not yet been received by Inmet and Inmet shareholders are advised to take no action at this time.

The Board of Directors of Inmet, in accordance with its fiduciary duties and with counsel from its financial and legal advisers, will fulfill its legal responsibility and will evaluate any formal offer and will recommend a course of action that is in the best interests of Inmet and its stakeholders.

Until such time as we make a public announcement, we will refrain from providing any statements or interviews to media outlets.



Forward looking information

Securities regulators encourage companies to disclose forward-looking information to help investors understand a companys future prospects.

This press release contains forward-looking information.

These are "forward-looking" because we have used what we know and expect today to make a statement about the future.

Forward-looking statements usually include words such as may, expect, anticipate, and believe or other similar words.

However, actual events and results could be substantially different because of the risks and uncertainties associated with our respective business or events that happen after the date of this press release.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

About Inmet

Inmet is a Canadian-based global mining company that produces copper and zinc.

We have three wholly-owned mining operations: Cayeli (Turkey), Las Cruces (Spain) and Pyhasalmi (Finland).

We also have an 80 percent interest in Cobre Panama, currently in construction.

Inmet Mining Corporation
Flora Wood
Director, Investor Relations
+416 361 4808

or

Inmet Mining Corporation
Jochen Tilk
President & CEO
+416 860 3972
www.inmetmining.com