Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX:NSU) (NYSE MKT:NSU) is pleased to announce the first shipment of 11,000 tonnes of pre-commercial production copper concentrate from the new Bisha copper plant. Commissioning and ramp up in mill throughput continues with commercial production on track for late 2013 or Q1 2014.

Cliff Davis, Nevsun CEO commented, “We are very pleased to see our first copper shipment from the docks at Massawa. We are especially thankful for the full support of our partner, the Eritrean National Mining Corporation, and the port authorities in Eritrea who have helped tremendously in making this happen. The modern facilities, including the environmentally friendly Rotainer loading system worked very well indeed and we are ready for the next shipment later this month.”

About Nevsun Resources Ltd.

Nevsun Resources Ltd. is a Vancouver-based mining company.  Nevsun’s 60%-owned Bisha Mine commenced commercial production in February 2011 and ranks as one of the highest grade open pit copper mines in the world.  Nevsun has a strong balance sheet to grow shareholder value through exploration at Bisha and acquisition of additional mining assets.