Nyrstar NV

Major Shareholding Notification • Aug 31, 2011

Nyrstar: Shareholder Notification

Regulated Information

31 August 2011

Nyrstar announced today that it received on 29 August 2011 a notification by UBS AG of a significant shareholding in accordance with Belgian Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of significant shareholdings in issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and containing various provisions.

UBS AG informed Nyrstar that the participation of UBS(1) in Nyrstar crossed the threshold of 3% of the outstanding voting rights downwards on 23 August 2011.

UBS(1) holds in the aggregate on 23 August 2011 4,531,613 voting rights, representing 2.67% of the total outstanding voting rights.

(1) directly and indirectly through UBS Global Asset Management Holding (No.2) Ltd, UBS Global Asset Management Holding Ltd, S.A., UBS Global Asset Management (UK) Ltd., UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG, UBS Fund Services (Luxembourg) S.A., UBS International Holding BV, UBS Holding (France) S.A., CCR Asset Management, UBS Beteiligungs- GmbH Co, UBS Global Asset Management (Deutschland) GmbH, UBS Global Asset management (Japan) Ltd, UBS Americas Inc. and UBS Global Asset management (Americas) Inc.

Further details regarding the above notification are available on the Nyrstar website: http://www.nyrstar.com/nyrstar/en/investors/shareholderstructure/

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For investor information contact: Anthony Simms, Manager Investor Relations T +41 44 745 8157, M +41 79 722 2152 anthony.simms@nyrstar.com

For media information contact: Kate Dinon, Group Manager Corporate Communications T +41 55 745 8154, M +41 797 228 466 kate.dinon@nyrstar.com

About Nyrstar

The partner of choice in essential resources for the development of a changing world. Nyrstar is a leading global multi-metals business, producing significant quantities of zinc and lead as well as other products (including silver, gold and copper). Nyrstar is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information visit the Nyrstar website, www.nyrstar.com.

About Breakwater

Breakwater is a mining, exploration and development company which produces and sells zinc, copper, lead and gold concentrates to customers around the world. The Company's concentrate production is

derived from three mines in Chile, Honduras and Canada. Breakwater is preparing the Langlois mine in Quebec, Canada for production in the first quarter of 2012.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This announcement has been prepared by Nyrstar NV (the "Company"). It does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, an offer, solicitation or invitation to subscribe for, underwrite or otherwise acquire, any securities of the Company or any member of its group nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities of the Company or any member of its group, nor shall it or any part of it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.

The information included in this announcement has been provided to you solely for your information and background and is subject to updating, completion, revision and amendment and such information may change materially. Unless required by applicable law or regulation, no person is under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained in this announcement and any opinions expressed in relation thereto are subject to change without notice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information contained herein. Neither the Company nor any other person accepts any liability for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from this announcement or its contents.

This document and any materials distributed in connection with this document are not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity that is a citizen or resident or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would require any registration or licensing within such jurisdiction.