Today in the Australian "Venturex contols one of Australia's...

Today in the Australian

"Venturex contols one of Australia's largest undeveloped zinc and copper inventories.."

Venturex Resources (VXR)
There’s not a lot new about Venturex and its base-metal project in Western Australia’s north, but it is a company that can be judged by the quality of its major shareholders, including gold-sector favourite Northern Star Resources.

Venturex controls the Sulphur Springs copper and zinc deposit southeast of Port Hedland and the historic Whim Creek copper and zinc deposit west of Port Hedland.

Feasibility studies have been under way for some time with recent interest driven largely by higher copper and zinc prices.

In theory, Venturex controls one of Australia’s largest undeveloped zinc and copper inventories with what’s called a value engineering study demonstrating a pathway to production.

Complementing the metal in the ground is an experienced board and the continued interest of Northern Star, which paid $11m for a 15 per cent stake in Venturex five years ago. That holding has since been diluted to 13.6 per cent, with Hong Kong-based Regent Pacific topping the share register with a 22.5 per cent interest.

Venturex is a high-risk proposition. But, as interest in copper and zinc grows, any company with its foot on a substantial but undeveloped resource will attract increased attention.

Tim Treadgold is commodities correspondent at www.eurekareport.com.au, which is owned by InvestSMART