An interesting read from the AUSTRALIAN this morning - I just...

An interesting read from the AUSTRALIAN this morning - I just wish the bloody sp reflects all this confidence and hype...........oh well.

"Bigger is better for Oxiana as merger succeeds"

WHAT THE BROKERS SAY: Kevin Andrusiak | June 23, 2008
Oxiana Resources (OXR) Foster Stockbroking Buy recommendation Share price target of $3.40 last traded at $2.55

NOW that the Supreme Court has approved the proclaimed "merger of equals" involving Zinifex and Oxiana, it is now just a formality that the two will become one to create OZ Minerals. Foster Stockbroking believes that the balance sheet leverage and diversified project portfolio of the new entity will attract a new suite of investors. Foster also claims it will allow the merged company to aggressively pursue value-adding acquisitions, while becoming a more prominent target for the bigger diversified houses. OZ Minerals will have a resource base comprising a suite of base metals (zinc, copper, nickel and lead) as well as gold and silver. The merger also cements OZ Minerals as the world's second-largest zinc producer after Xstrata. When Prominent Hill comes into production, the company will be producing almost 200,000 tonnes of copper, placing it among the global top 15 copper producers. A bigger scale will also provide the company with greater access to debt funding, enabling more growth by acquisition. Foster also suggests that OZ Minerals will provide investors with something at least approaching an alternative to the usual diversified suspects, BHP and Rio Tinto, and that it could end up being even more so if BHP pulls off the acquisition of the century and takes over Rio Tinto.