ERITREA UPDATE: MEETING REQUESTED BY
MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINES

Nevsun Resources Ltd. (NSU/TSX) is pleased to announce that it has received a letter from the Minister of Energy and Mines of Eritrea requesting a consultation meeting at the Company’s earliest convenience.  The letter commends the Company’s “patience and cooperative stance”.

John Clarke, President and Chief Executive Officer, has made arrangements to be in Eritrea the week of January 10^th.

Nevsun, along with all other mineral exploration companies working in Eritrea, has been under a stop work order from the Government of Eritrea since September 2, 2004.  The request for a meeting from the Minister is very encouraging.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement.