Exco Resources Ltd (EXS.ASX) EXS primary asset is the Cloncurry Copper Project (CCP) in Mt Isa, QLD. CCP has a current resource of 61Mt @ 0.9% Cu including 38Mt of M&I to underpin a 10yr mine life of 25ktpa copper production.
A DFS is progressing and is due before the end of the year, with preliminary estimates of $200m capex, US$1.50/lb cash cost (strip ratio ~5) and A$256m NPV (based on a US$3/lb Cu price). In respect of the development of CCP, there are essentially 3 options:
Fund the capex and go it alone ?part of the funding would likely come from an offshore partner (Singaporean group Sin-Tang Development recently took a 15% placement at a premium to market and have agreed to engage in further discussions re. project financing);
Toll treatment arrangement with Xstrata at their Ernest Henry mill (11Mtpa) which has plenty of capacity (Ernest Henry U/G will process 6Mtpa at capacity) and is located just 8kms from CCP; or
Complete take-out by Xstrata which would realise $200m in synergies (from the capex savings) and bring forward production by 12-18 months to capture the current high copper prices.