GEOPOLITICAL RISK GOLD CRUDE OIL

[Ed Monton]

ERITREA

FOR: NEVSUN RESOURCES LTD.

TSX SYMBOL: NSU

APRIL 21, 2003 - 09:28 EST

Nevsun Resources Ltd.: Update On Affairs In Eritrea

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--As a result of recent events Nevsun
Resources Ltd. ("the Company") is providing further details
regarding its business operations in Eritrea.

On April 12, 2003 Tim Nutt was murdered while carrying out
mapping activities in a remote area 15 kilometers from the camp
at the Company's Bisha property. Tim was an experienced geologist
working as an independent consultant to the Company who had
started work only a few weeks prior. Tim's association with
Nevsun's management goes back 18 years as a respected friend and
colleague. Our sincere condolences go to his family in this
tragic time.

As can be expected our first concern was for the Nutt family and
for the safety and security of our staff. Without request, the
response from the Eritrean military and police was swift. The
military immediately posted security at and around the Nevsun
Bisha camp and the police commenced their investigation.

Nevsun management also reacted quickly. Bill Nielsen, VP
Exploration, who had been at the Company's property in Mali,
arrived in Eritrea at the earliest possible time on Monday. John
Clarke, CEO, arrived two days later to coincide with preliminary
reporting by police investigators. The Government of Eritrea has
been forthright and extremely co-operative. The British Embassy
provided much appreciative assistance and support to the family
and to Nevsun.

From the outset it was believed by the Company to be, and
continued to be, considered a civil matter until the Government
issued the statement of an act of terrorism. Accordingly, no news
release was considered appropriate until this past Thursday when
the Company read of the media assertions that the murder may have
been related to terrorist activities. The facts and circumstances
about what exactly had brought about this act of violence were
not clear enough to issue a statement until then. Eritrean
Government officials continue to emphasize that the investigation
is ongoing and has not yet provided them with answers to these
questions.

Government senior police authorities advised the Company late on
Thursday April 17, 2003 that their investigation is ongoing.
While suspects have been detained in custody, the police have not
concluded their process. It is important to note that Eritrea is
a country with a very low crime rate and this act of violence is
considered by Eritrean authorities as an anomalous isolated
event.

As further demonstration of his support, over this past weekend
the Minister of Energy and Mines (Minister Tesfai Ghebresellasie)
traveled to the Bisha property together with John Clarke and Bill
Nielsen. The Minister has stated that "Nevsun will continue to
receive every support required to continue its exploration
activities and no stone will go unturned in bringing the
perpetrators to justice". Nevsun wishes to thank the Minister for
his involvement in not only company matters but also his deep
concern and personal attention paid to the family of Tim Nutt.

In the midst of this tragic event the Company continues its
business. The Company's exploration activities have continued in
this past week and Nevsun expects to commence its second stage of
the current drill program shortly. A Longyear 44 drill rig has
recently been mobilized to site to continue to carry out the
planned 6,500m diamond drill program (1,500m of which was carried
out in February/March with a smaller drill rig). Work in progress
includes geophysics, geological mapping, geochemical sampling,
trenching and camp construction. An airborne geophysical survey
has recently been flown over the property and will be interpreted
in coming months. Further assay results of drilling completed in
March are expected within the next week.

In summary, Nevsun officials are deeply saddened by the loss of
Mr. Timothy Nutt. Eritrean officials have acted with urgency. It
has been the judgment of the Company and the advice of Eritrean
officials that the full facts and circumstances regarding this
crime are as yet undetermined and that the Eritrean authorities
are in firm control of this matter. Again our sympathies go out
to Mr. Nutt's family.

John Clarke arrives back in Vancouver on the evening of Monday
April 21, 2003. Management will conduct a live conference call at
8:00am on Tuesday April 22, 2003 to provide a further briefing
and to respond to questions surrounding this event and the
Company's ongoing plans to advance the exploration of its
Eritrean portfolio as well as the resumption of exploration
drilling at the Company's Tabakoto and Segala properties in Mali.
People who wish to listen to this call may phone toll free to
1-800-814 4857.

Forward Looking Statements:

The above contains forward looking statements that are subject to
a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated in our forward looking statements. Factors that
could cause such differences include: changes in world gold
markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant
to the mining industry, change in government and changes to
regulations affecting the mining industry. Although we believe
the expectations reflected in our forward looking statements are
reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Dr. John A. Clarke, President & Chief Executive Officer

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Nevsun Resources Ltd.
Don Halliday
Manager, Investor Relations
[phone] or 1-888-600-2200
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.nevsun.com