Australian exploration firm Exco Resources Ltd hopes to agree a deal to supply copper ore to a processing facility owned by mining group Xstrata Managing Director Michael Anderson said on Monday.
Such an agreement would allow Exco to reap the benefits of its copper deposits in Queensland without having to build its own concentrator he told the Australia Day mining conference in London.
At the same time Xstrata could benefit by filling expected capacity gaps that are due to emerge in a few years. Xstrata declined to comment.
Excos Queensland copper deposits have a resource of 452580 tonnes of copper and 439100 ounces of gold. The bulk of the resource is in the E1 deposits which are only 8 km away from Xstratas Ernest Henrymine.
Ernest Henry is nearing the end of its open cast operation before it goes underground and ore volumes decline which will leave its concentrator running below capacity.
They have been interested in our projects for a number of years they have done test work and due diligence Anderson said.
Exco would have to spend around A250 million 160.7 million to build its own standalone project which would have an operating cost of US1.73 per lb versus operating costs of 7580 cents per lb if the ore was sent to Xstratas plant.
Theres a margin to be shared there and its something were very keen to pursue he said. There is a great winwin opportunity to preserve the longevity of Ernest Henry and see our ore bodies transformed without the need for major capital investment.Exco has no debt and A10.6 million of cash enough for the time being he said.
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