Minmetals Resources : Limited announces extension of offer to purchase all of the common shares of Anvil Mining Limited to February 16, 2012

MMG Malachite Limited (the "Offeror"), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Minmetals Resources Limited ("MMR"), announced today that it has extended its offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common shares, including those common shares that are subject to CHESS Depositary Interests (the "Common Shares"), of Anvil Mining Limited ("Anvil"), at a price of C$8.00 in cash per Common Share, to 8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on February 16, 2012, unless further extended or withdrawn.  The extension will provide additional time for the conditions of the Offer to be satisfied.

By virtue of this extension, the "CDI Expiry Time", as defined in the Offer and accompanying take-over bid circular dated October 19, 2011 (the "Offer and Circular"), as amended, has been automatically extended to 7:00 p.m. (Sydney time) on February 14, 2012, unless the Offer is further extended or withdrawn.

The Offeror will mail a formal notice of extension shortly.  A copy of such notice of extension will be made available under Anvil's issuer profile on SEDAR at .

Further details of the Offer are available in the Offer and Circular, the notice of extension dated November 24, 2011 and the notice of variation and extension dated December 9, 2011, which are available under Anvil's issuer profile on SEDAR at .

About the Offeror and MMR

The Offeror was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Northwest Territories) on September 22, 2011 under the name "6412 N.W.T. Ltd." and changed its name to "MMG Malachite Limited" on September 28, 2011, and has not carried on any material business prior to the date hereof other than in connection with matters directly related to the Offer. The Offeror is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of MMR.

MMR, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries and jointly-controlled entities and associates, owns and operates a portfolio of significant base metal mining operations, development and exploration projects. MMR is one of the world's largest producers of zinc, and is engaged in mining, processing and production of copper, lead, gold and silver. MMR currently has mining operations located in Australia and Laos and a large portfolio of advanced and early stage exploration projects in Australia, Africa, Asia and North America. The shares of MMR are listed on the Main Board of the HKSE (Stock Code: 1208). China Minmetals Corporation is the ultimate controlling shareholder of MMR.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information

This announcement contains statements that are "forward-looking statements".  The words "expect", "will", "may", "should", "could", "intend", "estimate", "propose" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Offeror and MMR, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.  Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or achievement. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: actions taken by Anvil; inaccuracies or material omissions in Anvil's publicly available information or the failure of Anvil to disclose events or facts which may affect the significance or accuracy of such information; changes in applicable Laws; general business and economic conditions; the failure to meet certain conditions of the Offer; the timing and receipt of governmental approvals necessary to complete the Offer and any related transactions; legislative and/or regulatory changes; the ability of MMR and the Offeror to complete or successfully integrate the acquisition; and the behaviour of other market participants. No assurances can be given that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement.  The Offeror and MMR disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

- Ends -

Media enquiries:
Sally Cox
Group Manager - Communications
T [phone]
M [phone]
E [e-mail]

Kathleen Kawecki                        
Communications Coordinator                
T [phone]                      
M [phone]                     
E  [e-mail]

Investor enquiries:

Troy Hey
General Manager - Stakeholder & Investor Relations
T [phone]
M [phone]
E [e-mail]

Chinese language investor and media enquiries:
Shelldy Cheung
Kreab Gavin Anderson
T [phone]
E [e-mail]