Nevsun Q1 2011 Operating Highlights

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/06/11 -- Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX: NSU)(NYSE Amex: NSU) is pleased to announce the Bisha mine in Eritrea processed 461,000 tonnes of ore yielding 75,000 ounces of gold in dore in Q1 2011, during the same period it was ramping up to commercial production. Nevsun has accumulated significant cash during Q1, with a cash balance of $100 million as of March 31, 2011.

The Bisha mine continues to perform very well and is now producing over 1,000 oz gold per day. The table below demonstrates the successful ramp up to commercial production in January and February and the first month of full operations in March.

                            -----------------------------------------------
                              Jan 2011  Feb 2011    Mar 2011  Total Q1 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Pre-Production(1)  Production
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes milled                  126,000   160,000     175,000        461,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovery, % of gold                 86%       88%         89%            88%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold in dore, ounces            16,000    25,000      34,000         75,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold price realized, per oz      n/a(2)   $1,390      $1,430         $1,405
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) for accounting purposes, sales from ounces produced prior to March 1,
    2011 are considered pre-production and capitalized
(2) no gold sales in January

Nevsun's cash accumulation since December 31, 2010 reflects ounces shipped and paid by the refiner to March 31, 2011. The last shipment in the quarter was March 28, 2011.

Full Q1 results including costs and profitability are expected on or before May 11, 2011.

Forward Looking Statements: The above contains forward-looking statements regarding the timing of Q1 results. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimated', 'potential', 'possible' and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results 'will', 'may', 'could' or 'should' occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those described in the Management Discussion and Analysis of the Company. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

NEVSUN RESOURCES LTD.

Cliff T. Davis, President & Chief Executive Officer

Contacts:

Kin Communications

604 684 6730 or Toll Free: 1 866 684 6730
ir@kincommunications.com
www.nevsun.com