First Nickel Announces Organizational Changes

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 12/14/11 -- First Nickel Inc. ('First Nickel' or the 'Company') (TSX: FNI) announces several organizational changes. Gerry Bilodeau, Chief Operating Officer, after successfully bringing Sudbury's Lockerby mine back into production, has elected to retire after 5 years with the Company and 42 years in the mining industry. He will remain involved with the Company in the capacity of Senior Advisor for the near future.

Thomas M. Boehlert, President and CEO commented, 'Gerry has been instrumental in the startup of the Lockerby Depth project and has been a tireless champion for safety and responsible mining. He leaves behind a strong, capable operations team. Our company and its employees have all benefited from Gerry's efforts, and we wish him the very best in his retirement. We are also delighted that Gerry will continue to be involved with First Nickel, ensuring a smooth transition.'

The position of Chief Operating Officer will be replaced by a VP, Operations role. Sean Samson, VP and Head of Corporate Development, will act as interim VP, Operations until a full time appointment is made. Cliff Lafleur has been promoted to the position of Lockerby Mine Manager and will report to the VP, Operations.

About First Nickel

First Nickel is a Canadian mining and exploration company that is in the process of resuming production at its Lockerby nickel / copper mine in the Sudbury Basin in northern Ontario. Once the Lockerby Mine reaches full production (expected in 2012), it will produce approximately 10 million pounds of nickel and approximately 7 million pounds of copper annually, providing a strong base of cash flow from which to grow the Company. In addition to the Lockerby nickel mine, the Company owns exploration properties in the Sudbury Basin, the Timmins region of northern Ontario, and the Belmont region of Eastern Ontario. First Nickel's shares are traded on the TSX under the symbol FNI.

Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that describe First Nickel's future plans, intentions, objectives or goals, and specifically include but are not limited to imminent production at the Lockerby Mine, and anticipated production rates at the Lockerby Mine. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'expects', 'will', 'enable', 'anticipates', 'estimated' or words of similar effect. Since forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and address future events, conditions and expectations, forward-looking statements inherently involve unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors well beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements depending on, among others, such key factors as fluctuating metal prices, maintaining operating and exploration teams, and other factors described in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form under the heading 'Risk Factors' which has been filed electronically by means of the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ('SEDAR') located at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this document represent First Nickel's views as of the date of this document and subsequent events and developments may cause First Nickel's views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing First Nickel's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. Although First Nickel has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

First Nickel Inc.

Thomas Boehlert

President & CEO

(416) 362-7050

(416) 362-9050 (FAX)
tboehlert@firstnickel.com