xstrata has no claim basis sais pma

Date: 1/5/2007
Author: John Phaceas
Source: The West Australian --- Page: 41

A legal dispute between Precious Metals Australia (PMA) and Switzerland-based Xstrata may flare up again in Western Australia (WA). The two had reached a settlement in April 2005 under which Xstrata paid $A21m and PMA gained a vanadium mine Xstrata had abandoned in 2004. That compromise had followed a parliamentary report since found to have been unduly influenced by disgraced lobbyists Brian Burke and Julian Grill. Xstrata says it may revive its court action over the matter in light of the recent WA Corruption & Crime Commission inquiry.