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A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed AUD270 million expansion of McArthur River Mining (MRM) has revealed the project would deliver more benefits for the Northern Territory than first thought.

The project will increase MRM’s operational workforce by 67%, creating 295 new jobs when in operation and bringing the total workforce to 735 at its peak by 2020, compared to initial estimates of 550 jobs.  The expansion has been designed to sustain the long-term future of the mine at a higher rate of production.  Our investment into the local, regional and national economies would increase commensurately, including a further AUD11.3 million of investment through the MRM Community Benefits Trust.

We lodged the draft EIS with the Northern Territory Government today. It proposes increasing capacity at the mine from 2.5 million tonnes of ore per annum to 5.5 million tonnes, producing approximately 800,000 dry metric tonnes per annum of zinc-lead concentrate for export markets.

Xstrata Zinc Australia Chief Operating Officer Mr Brian Hearne said: “Our earlier estimates have now gone through the robust process of an EIS and we’re looking at being able to offer more jobs, a longer mine life and greater financial investment into the community in which we operate and the Northern Territory and Australian economies.”

The project proposes:

• increasing MRM’s mineable reserves from an identified 53 million tonnes to 115 million tonnes
• extending the life of mine by nine years from 2027 to 2036
• expanding the current pit within the existing bund from a footprint of 145 hectares to 210 hectares and the depth from 210 metres to 420 metres
• increasing our operational workforce by 67% at its peak from 440 currently to 735 by 2020 and sustaining a high level of Indigenous workforce participation
• extending the life of our MRM Community Benefits Trust to 2036, which will allow an additional AUD11.3 million to be invested in the community and bring total investment by the Trust to AUD43.3 million since 2007
• increasing the capacity of the existing tailings storage facility, including an already planned, new, lined water management dam
• generating approximately 530 million tonnes of additional overburden to be accommodated in one existing and two new overburden emplacement facilities 
• expanding the power station at the mine to a capacity of 45-50 MW
• building a temporary construction camp and expanding existing accommodation facilities.

Over its lifetime the project is expected to produce approximately 20 million tonnes of zinc-lead concentrate for export.

Mr Hearne said: “The expansion will enable MRM to meet demand for zinc in concentrates more competitively. 

“Aside from the direct employment benefits, we will require a wide range of products and services from other business sectors, predominantly in the Northern Territory, to support and service an expanded operation.”

The project is expected to boost industry output by AUD8.4 billion within the Northern Territory economy and AUD9.3 billion nationally during the construction, operational and decommissioning periods. This includes the benefits of direct and indirect investment and employment as well as all goods and services procured.

As part of the comprehensive draft EIS, we completed more than 40 detailed baseline studies and assessments of flora, fauna, land resources, surface water, groundwater, air quality, noise, traffic and cultural heritage working with external experts.

“The project also provides opportunities to introduce advances in environmental management techniques, particularly in managing tailings and waste rock,” Mr Hearne said.

Nearly 300 people, including representatives from government departments and agencies, community groups, businesses, Traditional Owners and other community members have already provided feedback to us in the past 10 months as part of the EIS consultation process. We have received overwhelming support for the project from stakeholders, particularly in relation to the benefits of employment, local contracts and our community investment under the MRM Community Benefits Trust.

The public comment period begins on 4 February and ends on 16 March 2012. You can find the complete EIS  online at www.mcarthurrivermine.com.au from 4 February 2012.

The proposed expansion of MRM is currently in the feasibility study stage and is subject to approval by Xstrata.

End

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement

Xstrata Zinc contacts:

Joanne Pafumi
GM Corporate Affairs, Community Relations and Human Resources
Xstrata Zinc Australia
Telephone +61 7 3295 7586
Mobile +61 411 759 683
Email jpafumi@xstratazinc.com.au

Fran Rossberg
Manager Corporate Affairs and Community Relations
Xstrata Zinc Australia
Telephone +61 7 3295 1584
Mobile +61 0422 980 120
Email frossberg@xstratazinc.com.au

www.xstratazinc.com
www.mcarthurrivermine.com.au

Notes to editors

About Xstrata Zinc

Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Xstrata Zinc is one of the world’s largest producers of zinc and one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Xstrata’s zinc and lead operations and exploration projects are located in Australia, Canada, Germany, Peru, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Xstrata Zinc’s operations in Spain comprise the San Juan de Nieva zinc smelter and the Arnao zinc semis plant in Asturias, and the Hinojedo roasting plant in Cantabria.

In Australia, operations comprise: the Mount Isa, George Fisher underground, Handlebar Hill open cut and Black Star open cut zinc-lead mines, zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and Bowen Coke Works in north Queensland; the McArthur River open pit zinc-lead mine, processing and loading facility in the Northern Territory; and the Lady Loretta mine in north-west Queensland.

In Canada, operations and exploration projects include the Brunswick zinc-lead mine and lead smelter in New Brunswick; 25% of the CEZ zinc smelter near Montreal; and the Perseverance zinc deposit in Quebec.

Xstrata Zinc also operates the Nordenham zinc smelter in northern Germany; the Northfleet lead refinery in the United Kingdom; and owns 33.75% of the Antamina mine in Peru.

Around half of all zinc currently consumed is used for galvanizing steel, which is an environmentally friendly method of protecting steel against corrosion. Zinc also finds application in the manufacture of die-cast alloys, brass and the production of zinc oxides and chemicals.

• Record annual production from our Australian thermal coal operations following the successful commissioning of the greenfield Mangoola mine on budget and ahead of schedule, the expansion of Newlands Underground thermal coal operation and a strong second half performance;
• Record production of mined nickel, including first ore ahead of schedule from the Kikialik expansion at Raglan mine and record nickel metal volumes from a second successive record year at Nikkelverk;  
• We completed an expansion to extend the life of the Kidd copper mine in Canada on time and within budget and began commissioning the expansion at the Antamina copper-zinc joint venture in Peru at the end of 2011;
• During the second half, we commissioned the 120,000 tonnes per annum Black Star Deeps and 40,000 tonnes per annum Handlebar Hill zinc-lead projects on schedule and on budget;
• Our Falcondo ferronickel operation in the Dominican Republic exceeded expectations to operate at an annual rate of almost 15,000 tonnes per annum, following its restart in Februaryy;
• We approved seven key projects representing total capital expenditure of $2.6 billion during the year:
  • The 7 million tonnes per annum Ulan Open Cut thermal coal project in Australia;
  • The Tweefontein optimisation coal project in South Africa, which will, subject to receipt of final environmental approvals, produce 4 million tonnes per annum of thermal coal;
  • The 6,000 tonnes per annum Fraser Morgan nickel mine and expansion to 40,000 tonnes per annum at Raglan nickel mine, both in Canada;
  • Our share of capital to expand the joint venture Cerrejón thermal coal operation in Colombia to 40 million tonnes per annum;
  • The 126,000 tonnes per annum greenfield Lady Loretta zinc project in the Mount Isa region, Australia; and 
  • Mount Margaret, a 30,000 tonnes per annum copper project in Australia.
• During 2011, we announced significant increases in mineral resource estimates at the Antamina copper and zinc mine and Las Bambas and Coroccohuayco copper projects in Peru, the El Pachón copper project in Argentina and the Frieda River copper-gold project in Papua New Guinea.

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement 

Xstrata contacts:

Alison Flynn
Telephone +44 20 7968 2838
Mobile +44 7769 314374
Email aflynn@xstrata.com

Investors & analysts

Martin Fewings
Telephone +44 20 7968 2893
Mobile +44 7990 591536
Email mfewings@xstrata.com

Caroline Yates
Telephone +44 20 7968 2878
Mobile +44 7824 826546
Email cyates@xstrata.com

Notes to editors

About Xstrata plc

Xstrata is a major producer of a range of essential commodities used in everything from constructing buildings and delivering electricity, to developing jet engines and mobile phones. We are one of the top five global producers of copper, thermal and metallurgical coal, ferrochrome, zinc and nickel and we also produce silver, lead, platinum, gold, cobalt and vanadium.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Switzerland, Xstrata plc now operates in over 20 countries and employs over 70,000 people at more than 100 operations and projects around the world. For more information, visit www.xstrata.com

Copper

Copper production was 3% lower than in 2010 as we enter a transition period in which a number of operations are approaching the end of their mine life and new lower cost production is on track to commence from the second half of 2012, notably at Antapaccay.  

We increased copper in concentrate production at Ernest Henry by 34% compared to 2010 to reach a total of 100,300 tonnes.  Production from the final high grade ore zone of the open pit operation and processing stockpiled ore boosted volumes, despite mining less material overall as a result of our ongoing project to convert the operation into an underground mine.

Our share of copper in concentrate production at Antamina increased by 11% to 112,600 tonnes, due to higher mill throughput as a result of de-bottlenecking initiatives and higher grades and recoveries.
Our Lomas Bayas operation benefited from increased run-of-mine (ROM) tonnes from the new Fortuna de Cobre pit as part of the Lomas 2 project. At Tintaya in Peru, we mined and processed higher grade sulphide ore resulting in increased copper production.

Production at our Alumbrera mine decreased by 17% to 116,700 tonnes compared to the previous year, primarily as a result of delayed access to high grade zones in the mine caused by geotechnical events in the latter part of 2010.  Our share of production from the Collahuasi joint venture reduced by 10% to 199,400 tonnes mainly due to lower milled copper grades, extended maintenance and repairs to the main ore conveyor belt and adverse weather conditions in the first and third quarters of the year.  Our Mount Isa operations produced 6% less copper in concentrate than in 2010 due to lower grades and reduced production from the Enterprise mine.  At our Kidd underground mine in Canada, production of copper concentrate was affected by lower grades and volumes due to restricted access caused by two seismic events in the second half of the year.

Total gold production was marginally lower in 2011 at 517,900 ounces compared to 524,800 ounces in 2010 as improved ore grades at Ernest Henry largely offset lower head grades and recoveries at Alumbrera.

Our Mount Isa smelter and Altonorte custom smelter both achieved record production in 2011. However, total combined custom and mined copper cathode production decreased by 9% to 650,900 tonnes in 2011 as a result of the closure of the Kidd metallurgical plant in May 2010 and a temporary plant shutdown at the Townsville refinery in the first quarter of 2011 in response to a severe tropical cyclone in North Queensland.

Coal

We produced 85.3 million tonnes of coal on a consolidated basis in 2011, an increase of 7% compared to 2010.

Our Australian thermal coal operations produced 49.8 million tonnes of thermal and semi-soft coal, a 12% increase on the previous year, primarily due to the successful commissioning of the Mangoola open cut mine ahead of schedule and on budget in February.

The positive impact of additional volumes from Mangoola partly offset the flooding at the beginning of the year in Queensland and in New South Wales, the temporary suspension of operations at the Blakefield South mine due to an underground fire and interruptions to the Ulan longwall as a result of significant underground water, all of which occurred in the first quarter.  In the third quarter, production from the Ulan longwall had fully recovered and we recommenced development at Blakefield South. 

We maintained total coking coal production volumes for the year at 7.6 million tonnes, a similar level to 2010, as a result of the rapid recovery from flooding in Queensland during the first quarter.

Production from our South African thermal coal operations fell by 3% due to industrial action and the impact of our ongoing strategy to transition our operations from underground mines to three large and more efficient open cut complexes.

Cerrejón, our joint venture operation in Colombia, achieved record production, 7% higher than 2010, when excessive rainfall impacted production.

Nickel

We produced a record 105,925 tonnes of nickel in 2011, 15% more than the previous year.  Our Falcondo ferronickel operation in the Dominican Republic was responsible for the majority of this increase, producing 13,498 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel since reopening in February 2011 following a 30-month period of care and maintenance.  Falcondo’s restart outperformed our expectations, generating 8% more nickel than planned and operating at an annualised run-rate of almost 15,000 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel.

At our Nikkelverk refinery, we achieved an all-time record production of 92,427 tonnes of refined nickel, significantly exceeding the operation’s annualised nameplate capacity of 87,000 tonnes when we took over the business in 2006.   Copper metal production of 36,292 tonnes was slightly higher than last year, reflecting an increase in the amount of copper we processed from the polymetallic feed sent to Nikkelverk.

Our production at our Sudbury mines increased by 28% to 19,795 tonnes of nickel in concentrate compared to last year with our Nickel Rim South mine continuing to operate at full capacity.  The significant copper contained in Nickel Rim South ore and mining at Fraser’s copper zone, which restarted in February 2010, led to record mined copper in concentrate production of 49,887 tonnes from our Strathcona Mill, up 38% from 2010.  The Sudbury smelter produced 69,459 tonnes of nickel in matte, 6% less than last year, but in line with our plans for the year of 69,000 tonnes due to lower planned concentrate grades, a reduction in custom feed materials processed by the smelter and the impact of deferring a one-week maintenance shutdown from December 2010 to January 2011. 

Raglan mine operated at full capacity and treated 1.3 million tonnes of ore.  However, because of a planned period of lower nickel head grade, the production of nickel in concentrate fell 3% to 27,274 tonnes.  We expect head grade to decline further in 2012 in accordance with our mine plan.  Raglan’s head grade will improve significantly beyond 2013 with the development of the higher-grade Qakimajurq and Mine 2 Lower Zone deposits. 

At our Australian mines, we increased the volume of ore processed by 46% to 778,073 tonnes to offset the impact of mining more disseminated ore bodies with inherently lower nickel head grades. As a result, the production of nickel in concentrate from Xstrata Nickel Australasia increased slightly over 2010 to 17,034 tonnes.

Zinc

A strong operational performance at our Australian mines helped to partially offset the substantially lower volumes from the joint venture Antamina copper-zinc mine, where the mine plan favoured copper rich ores, and slightly lower volumes from the Canadian operations. Improved productivity at Mount Isa and McArthur River enabled us to raise zinc in concentrate volumes by 2%, despite the impact of weather-related issues in the first quarter of the year, and, at Mount Isa, electricity supply outages in the second half and lower grades.  Zinc in concentrate volumes at our Canadian operations fell slightly due to lower grades, despite achieving increased ore production. Overall zinc in concentrate volumes were just under 5% lower than in 2010. 

Zinc metal production increased at our San Juan de Nieva and Nordenham smelters by 2% and 6% respectively, following the commissioning in January of the new 20,000 tonnes per year direct leaching plant at Nordenham. These increases partially offset the impact of the closure of the Kidd Creek Metallurgical site in May 2010 and total zinc metal production decreased by 4%. 

The ore treated by our Mount Isa and McArthur River Mine operations increased by 8% and 6% respectively, partly offsetting the lower lead grades at Mount Isa. Total lead in concentrate decreased by 4% compared to 2010.

Alloys

Following a strong start to the year, we progressively reduced capacity utilisation at our ferrochrome smelters from the second quarter in response to weakening Chinese demand for South African ferrochrome.  Average capacity utilisation fell to an average of 72% for 2011 and ferrochrome volumes were 12% lower than in 2010.  Industrial action also impacted operating capacity at a number of operations during the second half.

The average European benchmark ferrochrome price for 2011 of $1.25 per pound remained at a similar level to the average price in 2010.  We recently settled the European benchmark price for the first quarter of 2012 at $1.15 per pound, 5¢ per pound lower than in the fourth quarter due to weaker demand from developed countries for stainless steel, the principal market for ferrochrome.

Following the depletion of all high grade, near-surface ore during the third quarter, all open pit production from our Eland platinum operation ceased and we started producing development ore from underground operations.  Reduced volumes also reflect the impact on grades of the transition from open pit mining and a slower than anticipated ramp-up of underground operations due to poor ground conditions.

Ferrochrome

Vanadium

Platinum

Ends

Xstrata Coal South Africa (XCSA) is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale of its Spitzkop and Tselentis collieries and supporting coal assets, located in Mpumalanga, South Africa, to the Imbawula Group (Imbawula) for an undisclosed amount. The transaction has effect from 1 January 2012.

Imbawula has acquired, as a going concern, the Spitzkop and Tselentis opencast and underground mining operations, all supporting infrastructure, including land, movable assets, buildings and coal beneficiation plants.  In addition, Imbawula Mining has acquired prospecting and mining rights in the area which support the long term operation of this business.

All affected XCSA employees will be transferred to Imbawula and the represented unions have been consulted.

Murray Houston, XCSA Chief Operating Officer, commented:

“I believe this transaction is a positive outcome for Xstrata Coal, Spitzkop and Tselentis employees and the operations’ many stakeholders. We have a long and established relationship with the executives and shareholders of Imbawula. I am pleased that we are transferring ownership of these two collieries to a growing coal producer. Imbawula is gaining a highly competent team of employees and the company has an ongoing commitment to working responsibly and safely.   From our perspective, the disposal of these assets allows us to focus on our core portfolio of large production complexes, including the ongoing development of our existing and future resource base”. 

Mr Pius Mokgokong and Mr Yacoob Mansoor, directors of Imbawula stated:

“Our group owns and operates various other coal mines in the region and this acquisition is a compelling and natural fit.  We have an established management team in place and this transaction will deliver significant synergies for our group over a relatively short time frame. While this acquisition supplements our resources to support our core business, which is the supply of coal to Eskom, it also offers diversification away from Eskom with exposure to the export markets. Xstrata Coal will purchase export coal from us over a ten year period at a market related price. The benefits derived from this acquisition ensure that Imbawula will be the pre-eminent BEE coal mining company in this area, and the employees will be working in an environment filled with opportunity”.

In addition XCSA has agreed to assist Imbawula during a transition period to ensure a smooth handover of various aspects related to the business, including accounting systems, procurement and payroll functions, and other key issues including IT/IS migration processes. XCSA will also continue its HIV/Aids community work in the region, including the completion of a new community clinic in Breyten.

The required approvals from the Competition Tribunal and the Department of Mineral Resources have been obtained for the transaction.

Ends

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement

Xstrata contacts

Name Gugulethu Maqetuka
Telephone +2711 7720650
Mobile +2782 944 6572
Email gmaqetuka@xstratacoal.co.za

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) confirms it has received official notification from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) denying its application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the Tampakan Mine Project until issues with the use of open pit mining methods have been resolved with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.

SMI President Peter Forrestal said SMI was extremely disappointed with the decision.

“SMI intends immediately to file an appeal for a reconsideration of the decision as permitted under the ECC application process.

“We are concerned this decision was not made on the merits of our Mine Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which fully complies with the requirements of the DENR’s own ECC process and is backed by a world-class environmental impact assessment study.

“Our EIS is one of the most comprehensive environmental impact assessment studies ever undertaken in the Philippines, which was prepared in line with international standards and further strengthened by the feedback gained from a two-year consultation process that involved more than 9,000 stakeholders.  

“During the 40 day review period of our ECC application by the Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee, an independent panel of experts established by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, all queries regarding SMI’s EIS and its ECC application were addressed to the satisfaction of that committee.

”The decision to deny SMI’s ECC application on the basis that the open-pit ban in South Cotabato must be resolved before the national government can issue an ECC is inconsistent with the DENR’s established procedures for the processing of ECC applications. 

“We believe this decision sets a precedent that contradicts the publicly stated views of the Aquino Administration - namely that national laws which permit open-pit mining methods should have precedence over conflicting provincial ordinances.

“This lack of consistency by the national government poses a very real threat to investment confidence in the Philippines and introduces significant uncertainty to national government approval processes.

“It also hampers the Project’s potential to make what would be a significant contribution to the economic and social development of Southern Mindanao and the Philippines,“ Mr Forrestal said.

(ends)

Contact Person:
John B. Arnaldo
Corporate Communications Manager
Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
Mobile: (+63 928) 550-3847
SMI Media Care Hotline
Mobile: (+63 918) 864-4685

Notes to editors:
ABOUT THE TAMPAKAN PROJECT
The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project is located on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, approximately 40 kilometres north of General Santos City. The Project is situated on the boundaries of four provinces: South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, and represents one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.

The Tampakan Project is a 2.4 billion metric ton deposit, containing 13.5 million metric tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold at a 0.3% cut-off grade. In 2010, the Project employed approximately 372 employees and rotational shift work for a further 1,185 contractors.
The Project is operated by Philippine-based affiliate Sagittarius Mines, Incorporated (SMI), whose 40% controlling equity is a joint venture among Xstrata Copper (62.5%) and Indophil Resources NL (37.5%). The 60% non-controlling equity shareholders of SMI are the Tampakan Mining Corporation and Southcot Mining Corporation (known as the Tampakan Group of Companies).

Subject to all necessary community, government and shareholder approvals, SMI estimates that production from the $5.9 billion Tampakan Project could commence by 2016. If developed, it is estimated that the Project would contribute an average of PhP134 billion (USD2.8 billion) to Philippine GDP; an equivalent of 1% annual increase to the Philippine GDP over the life of the Project.

ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER
Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Its operations and projects are administered through a regional divisional management structure, which ensures that critical decisions are taken close to the related businesses. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia.

Xstrata plc (“the Company”) hereby announces that, pursuant to Prospectus Rule 5.2, the information detailed below in Appendices 1 - 4 to this update has been published or made available to the public in the twelve months immediately preceding the date of this update.

APPENDIX 1:     RNS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Date of
announcement                        Headline

15/12/2011                     Xstrata Copper's Kidd Operations in Canada complete mine expansion completed
06/12/2011                    Further significant increases to Mineral Resources
06/12/2011                    Xstrata hosts Investor Seminar
06/12/2011                     Xstrata Copper commences underground ore production at Ernest Henry Mining
04/11/2011                     Xstrata plc announces Bond issue
03/11/2011                     Energia Austral and Hidroaysen sign transmission systems development agreement
02/11/2011                     Acquisition of Pallas Green exploration project completed
18/10/2011                    Interim Management Statement and Third Quarter Production Report
13/10/2011                     Xstrata Coal completes acquisition of Lossan deposit
07/10/2011                    Xstrata Coal acquires Lossan deposit from Cline Mining
06/10/2011                     Long term energy supply secured for north-west Queensland operations
04/10/2011                     Acquisition of Canadian zinc prospect completed
22/09/2011                     Xstrata Copper: New collective agreement ratified at Xstrata Copper Canada's Kidd Metallurgical Site
19/09/2011                     Analyst trip to southern Peru
08/09/2011                    Xstrata retains Sector and Super Sector leadership in Dow Jones Sustainability Index review
02/09/2011                     Xstrata Copper announces mineral resource increase for Frieda River copper-gold project in Papua New Guinea
01/09/2011                     Xstrata Copper, Goldcorp and Yamana finalize four-year option agreement on Agua Rica
18/08/2011                    Cerrejon expansion project approved
10/08/2011                    Xstrata Mount Isa Mines to commence pre-feasibility study of a large multi-commodity open pit mine
09/08/2011                    Director/PDMR Shareholding
08/08/2011                    Xstrata assumes control of First Coal Corporation
02/08/2011                    Xstrata Nickel to develop Canadian growth projects at Raglan and Sudbury
02/08/2011                    Xstrata Half Yearly Results for the six months ended 30 June 2011
28/07/2011                    Xstrata Coal to acquire First Coal Corporation
25/07/2011                    Xstrata Zinc to develop Lady Loretta deposit
26/07/2011                    Production Report for 6 months ended 30.06.2011
13/07/2011                    Acquisition of remaining interest in Pallas Green property, Ireland
30/06/2011                     Xstrata Copper completes acquisition of advanced copper projects in north west Queensland
23/06/2011                     Collahuasi prefeasibility study approved
17/06/2011                    Notification of Major Interest in Shares
16/06/2011                     Xstrata Zinc responds to Noranda Income Fund Unitholders' questions
15/06/2011                     Notification of Major Interest in Shares
14/06/2011                     Xstrata Copper exports first magnetite concentrate
14/06/2011                     Xstrata Copper: SMI consults stakeholders on its proposed Tampakan copper-gold mining operation
13/06/2011                     Xstrata Copper to start Lomas Bayas sulphides project prefeasibility study
10/06/2011                     Xstrata Coal: Xstrata rejects CFMEU complaint
09/06/2011                     Exco shareholders approve Xstrata Copper’s acquisition of advanced copper projects in north west Queensland
02/06/2011                     Xstrata Zinc enters agreement to acquire Canadian zinc prospects
01/06/2011                     Xstrata Nickel shares $15.2 million of Raglan's operating profit with Inuit communities
18/05/2011                    Xstrata Mount Isa Mines announces long term vision for sustainability of its North Queensland operations
10/05/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
09/05/2011                     Vale and Xstrata Announce Agreement to Extend Fraser Mine
04/05/2011                     Director Declaration pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13
04/05/2011                     AGM Poll results
04/05/2011                     Interim Management Statement and Q1 Production Report
29/04/2011                     Final extension of offer period for Sphere
20/04/2011                     Xstrata Copper enters into agreement to acquire advanced copper projects in north west Queensland
19/04/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
08/04/2011                    Director/PDMR Shareholding
05/04/2011                     Analyst trip to operations and projects in Australia and New Caledonia
30/03/2011                     Annual Report, Notice of AGM and Form of Proxy sent to shareholders
25/03/2011                     Posting of Annual Financial Report on Xstrata website and submitted to the National Storage Mechanism
25/03/2011                     Xstrata extends offer period for Sphere
24/03/2011                     Xstrata plc donation to Japan relief efforts
18/03/2011                    Xstrata Coal: Wandoan Coal Project gains Commonwealth Government environmental approval
18/03/2011                    Director/PDMR Shareholding
16/03/2011                     Notice of AGM 2011
11/03/2011                     Xstrata Zinc: Integrated development plan to secure future of McArthur River Mine
08/03/2011                    Minera Alumbrera shareholders enter letter of intent for an option to acquire the Agua Rica copper gold project in Argentina
08/03/2011                    Xstrata Copper: Peru's Authorities approve Las Bambas project environmental impact study
07/03/2011                    Xstrata plc to appoint new Chairman – Sir John Bond
28/02/2011                    Notification of Major Interest in Shares
25/02/2011                     Xstrata extends offer period for Sphere
22/02/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
15/02/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
14/02/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
11/02/2011                     Xstrata call option over Zanaga Iron Ore completed
11/02/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
09/02/2011                     Director/PDMR Shareholding
08/02/2011                    Xstrata plc announces Preliminary Results for year ended 31 December 2010
08/02/2011                    Exercise of option over Zanaga Iron Ore project
08/02/2011                    Mineral Resource increase for Frieda River copper-gold project in Papua New Guinea
04/02/2011                     Xstrata Zinc acquires remaining 25% of Lady Loretta deposit in Australia
01/02/2011                     Xstrata completes construction of magnetite plant in Queensland, Australia
01/02/2011                     Production Report for the 12 months ended 31 December 2010
28/01/2011                    Xstrata extends offer period for Sphere
18/01/2011                    Xstrata contributes further funding to assist flood relief effort in Queensland, Australia

Regulatory announcements and news releases listed above can be viewed on the company website at www.xstrata.com

APPENDIX 2: DOCUMENTS FILED AT COMPANIES HOUSE

All of the documents listed below were filed with Companies House at Crown Way, Maindy, Cardiff CF14 3UZ www.companieshouse.gov.uk on or around the dates indicated. Copies can be downloaded from the Companies House website or, if you are a registered user, through Companies House Direct at www.direct.companieshouse.gov.uk

Date filing received
by Companies House   Description of document filed

23/05/2011                     CH01 Director’s change of particulars
18/05/2011                    Group of Companies’ Accounts to 31/12/2010
13/05/2011                     AP01 Director appointment – Sir John Bond
12/05/2011                     AP01 Director appointment – Aristotelis Mistakidis
12/05/2011                     AP01 Director appointment – Tor Peterson
12/05/2011                     TM01 Termination of Director appointment – Willy Strothotte
09/05/2011                     Special resolutions from AGM
23/02/2011                     AR01 Annual Return

APPENDIX 3: INFORMATION POSTED ON COMPANY WEBSITE UNDER ‘PUBLICATIONS’ AND ‘SUSTAINABILITY’

Date of posting            Description of document filed
on website

06/12/2011                     Investor Seminar
03/11/2011                     Deutsche Bank BRICS Metals & Mining Conference
27/10/2011                    Brisbane Mining Club
18/09/2011                    Analyst Trip to Southern Peru
21/06/2011                     RBC Capital Markets Conference
01/06/2011                     MCA Minerals Week
10/05/2011                     BoA Merrill Lynch Global Metals and Morning Conference
04/04/2011                     Analyst visit to Australia and New Caledonia
29/03/2011                     Asian Ferro-Alloys Conference
April 2011                      Sustainability Reports:
Sustainability Report 2010
Various 2010 commodity business, regional and site-specific sustainability reports

In addition, various company presentations made at co Conferences and to the investment community are available from the company website at http://www.xstrata.com/publications/speechesandpresentations/2011/

APPENDIX 4: INFORMATION SENT TO SHAREHOLDERS

 The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2010, Notice of AGM held on 4 May 2011, Form of Proxy for the AGM, Dividend Information letter, Electronic Communication letter and Currency Election mandate forms.

Copies of the Annual Reports and Accounts, Notice of AGM and Proxy Form, Preliminary Announcement of Results, and Interim Management Statements and Production Reports were also submitted to the National Storage Mechanism, where they are available at www.hemscott.com/nsm.do

Copies of documents are also available for inspection at the Company’s registered office, at 4th Floor, Panton House, 25 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4EN, during normal business hours.

Caution: This annual information update is required by and is being made pursuant to Article 10 of the Prospectus Directive as implemented in the United Kingdom (Prospectus Rule 5.2) and not for any other purpose and neither the Company, nor any other person, takes any responsibility for, or makes any representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of, the information which it contains.  This information is not necessarily up to date as at the date of this annual information update and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any such information in the future.

Ends

Xstrata Copper announces the completion of a CA$120 million (US$111 million) extension to the Kidd Mine in Northern Ontario, Canada on time and on budget.

Approved by Xstrata in 2008, the extension to the mining zone at Mine D from 9,100 feet to 9,600 feet will extend operations by at least two years to the first half of 2018. Further extensions to the mine life have been identified through the ‘2020 Vision’ programme to elicit suggestions from employees on how to maximise the value of the operation. The programme, launched in February 2011, has already resulted in significant cost savings and an additional 700,000 tonnes of ore reserves being identified with the objective of extending operations further to 2020.

“The continued development of the deepest base metal mine in the world is a challenge and reflects Xstrata Copper’s commitment to the sustainability of our Kidd operations and the Timmins community. I am pleased to congratulate the dedicated team of engineering and technical experts, project leaders, employees, contractors and suppliers who worked together to bring this project to fruition,” said Tom Semadeni, General Manager, Kidd Operations.

The latest Mine D expansion was the second stage of a project that has extended mining from 8,800 feet since 2007 for total investment of CA$148 million.

Ends

Xstrata Copper contacts

Emily Russell
Telephone +562 478 2204
Mobile +569 9443 3571
Email erussell@xstratacopper.com

Louis Philippe Gariepy
Telephone +1514-645-2311 ext. 2162
Email lgariepy@xstratacopper.ca

Notes to editors

ABOUT XSTRATA PLC

Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc with additional exposure to gold, cobalt, lead and silver. The Xstrata Group also comprises a growing platinum group metals business, iron ore projects, recycling facilities and a suite of global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The Group's operations and projects span 20 countries.

ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER

Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.

Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Its operations and projects are administered through a regional divisional management structure, which ensures that critical decisions are taken close to the related businesses. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia.

ABOUT KIDD OPERATIONS

Located in Timmins, Ontario, the Kidd Operations consist of the Kidd Mine and Kidd Concentrator and are focused on developing and sustaining economic mining plans for the Kidd Creek ore body, which is currently mined through two separate shafts known as No. 2 and No. 4. The Kidd Mine produces an average of 50,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate per annum and is the world’s deepest base metal mine.

Xstrata Copper and its predecessors have been mining the Kidd Creek copper/zinc deposits since 1966. The Kidd Operations employ approximately 1,200 people, including contractors.

Xstrata will today host our annual investor seminar in London to update investors on the ongoing delivery of its value-creating strategy.

The seminar will include presentations by senior management of each of Xstrata’s global commodity businesses to provide an update on Xstrata’s zinc, nickel, ferrochrome, platinum, copper, coal and iron ore operations and projects.  Xstrata plc CEO Mick Davis, CFO Trevor Reid and EGM Strategy & Corporate Affairs Thras Moraitis will provide an update on Group strategy.

The presentations will provide detailed information on Xstrata’s delivery of organic growth and the ongoing pursuit of operational excellence at existing assets.  Highlights include:

• Disciplined delivery of organic growth projects will add meaningful volume growth from H2 2012 and create a new suite of tier 1 projects within Xstrata’s portfolio
• All growth projects are on budget and on schedule to deliver a 50% increase in copper-equivalent volume growth by the end of 2014 with average returns in excess of 20% at conservative long-run prices.
• A structural reduction in costs of around 20% in real terms by the end of 2014 resulting from new, lower cost operations
• Ongoing enhancement of the underlying value of existing assets through resource estimate upgrades, real cost savings, productivity improvements and mine life extensions
• Xstrata’s $19.5 billion capital expenditure programme for 2012 to 2014 comprises $11.9 billion on 21 projects under construction
• Capital expenditure programme underpinned by robust long-term fundamentals for the Group’s major products due to secular shift underway in demand for commodities and supply constraints
• A strong balance sheet designed to support the delivery of the organic growth strategy, characterised by significant undrawn banking facilities with no covenants, an undemanding bond-repayment schedule, a strong investment grade rating and cash-flows
• Commitment to progressive dividends
• Continuing focus on improving industry-leading safety, health, workplace and environmental performance and community interaction to support the successful delivery of our business strategy.

Xstrata CEO Mick Davis said: “From the second half of next year, our organic growth strategy will yield substantial volume growth, significant cost savings from lower cost production and a suite of new, world-class assets.  Our growth is underpinned by a robust financial position and a strong balance sheet which has been designed to support the delivery of a 50% increase in copper-equivalent volumes by the end of 2014.” 

The Investor Seminar will be webcast live and as a replay, available from www.xstrata.com.

Ends

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

Xstrata contacts

Claire Divver
Telephone +44 20 7968 2871
Mobile +44 7785 964340
Email cdivver@xstrata.com

Alison Flynn
Telephone +44 20 7968 2838
Mobile +44 7769 314374
Email aflynn@xstrata.com

Notes to editors

About Xstrata plc
Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc with additional exposure to gold, cobalt, lead and silver. The Xstrata Group also comprises a growing platinum group metals business, iron ore projects, recycling facilities and a suite of global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The Group's operations and projects span 20 countries.

Xstrata Copper announces significant increases to total Mineral Resources at the Las Bambas and Corroccohuayco projects in southern Peru and at El Pachón in Argentina from ongoing focused exploration and Mineral Resource expansion programmes in South America.  

In 2011, Xstrata Copper’s total contained copper in total Mineral Resources have grown by 10%, the equivalent of 9 million tonnes, to 97 million tonnes including operations in North Queensland, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Canada and major development projects in Peru, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.¹

Xstrata Copper Chief Executive Charlie Sartain said: “Our significant and expanding mineral resource base in South America has laid the foundations for our approved organic growth programme that will increase copper production by more than 50% to 1.5 million tonnes of copper per year by the end of 2014 and offers great potential for further substantial copper production growth in the region.

“El Pachón holds the potential to initially produce over 400,000 tonnes of copper per year from 2016.  Updated feasibility studies for this major greenfield project are scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2012, after which we will be in a position to take a decision regarding its development.

“Continued exploration at our Las Bambas greenfield project in southern Peru, now under development, is confirming the large-scale, long-life and low-cost characteristics of this world-class asset which is on schedule to start producing an average of 400,000 tonnes of copper per year from the second half of 2014. 

“At Coroccohuayco, ongoing exploration has identified additional mineral resources close to the surface, indicating that this high-grade deposit can be mined via open-pit rather than underground mining methods, enhancing its potential to further expand our nearby Tintaya-Antapaccay operation in southern Peru,” Mr Sartain said.

El Pachón’s Mineral Resource estimate has increased by 53% to a total of 2.740 billion tonnes at a grade of 0.48% copper using a cut-off grade of 0.2% copper (see table).  This represents 13.1 millon tonnes of contained copper metal, a 44% increase compared to the previous mineral resource issued 1 October 2010. The new estimate is the result of the largest 2010-11 summer-season drilling programme in the project’s history, in which 56,000 metres of infill and step-out drilling were completed as part of the project’s final Feasibility Study.

The Las Bambas project Mineral Resource estimate has increased to 1.710 billion tonnes at a grade of 0.60% copper, using a 0.2% copper cut-off grade, an increase of 10% compared to the previous Mineral Resource dated 1 October 2010 (see table).  Contained copper metal in Resource has risen by 9% to 10.3 million tonnes.  Measured and Indicated Resources now represent 71% of the total resource.  Xstrata Copper will continue exploration and Resource definition drilling programs in this exciting mineral district.

Coroccohuayco is an earlier stage project located nine kilometres from Xstrata’s Tintaya-Antapaccay operation.  The Antapaccay expansion to Tintaya, comprising an open pit mine and a new, large scale copper concentrator, is on track for commissioning in the second half of 2012 with initial annual production of 160,000 tonnes of copper.  The Corroccohuayco deposit is being evaluated as a potential open pit satellite mine to expand production further at Tintaya-Antapaccay.  As a result of further drilling identifying resources closer to the surface, the new Coroccohuayco project Mineral Resource has risen by 250% to 324 million tonnes at a grade of 0.93% copper, using a 0.3% cut-off, and includes significant gold, silver and molybdenum by-product credits (see table). This represents a 6% increase to 3.0 million tonnes of contained copper in Resource.  

During 2012, Xstrata Copper plans to conduct a further 40,000 metres of drilling and commence prefeasibility studies into Coroccohuayco’s development.  This will be undertaken in parallel with a Resource expansion program at Antapaccay to significantly expand Antapaccay’s existing Mineral Resource base of 817 million tonnes at a copper grade of 0.50%.

¹ See supplement to Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources statement: www. xstrata.com

Mineral Resource Tables

Table 1 El Pachón Mineral Resources*

Table 2 Las Bambas  Mineral Resources*

 Table 3 Coroccohuayco  Mineral Resources*

* The information in this press release that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr. Raul Roco, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Roco is a fulltime employee of the company. Mr. Roco has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr. Roco consents to the inclusion in the press release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
* Figures may not be exact as they have been rounded for tabulation.
* The updated Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource statements for these projects can be viewed on Xstrata’s website: www.xstrata.com

Ends

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement

Xstrata contacts

Emily Russell
Telephone: +562 478 2204
Mobile: + 569 9443 3571
Email: erussell@xstratacopper.com
www.xstratacopper.com

Alison Flynn
Telephone +44 20 7968 2838
Mobile +44 7769 314374
Email aflynn@xstrata.com

ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER

Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.

Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Its operations and projects are administered through a regional divisional management structure, which ensures that critical decisions are taken close to the related businesses. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia. 

Initial underground mine production has successfully commenced at Xstrata Copper’s Ernest Henry Mining operation in north-west Queensland, marking the site’s transition from open pit mining, which is now complete, to underground mining and magnetite processing.  This is a major milestone in the progression of Xstrata Copper’s AUD589 million project to extend its Ernest Henry operations to at least 2024.

During the first phase of underground operations, ore will be trucked via a decline at rates of approximately three million tonnes per annum producing about 25,000 tonnes of copper and 35,000 ounces of gold in concentrate.  Following the commissioning of the underground shaft in 2013, production will ramp up to six million tonnes per annum producing 50,000 tonnes of copper and 70,000 ounces of gold in concentrate.

Ernest Henry Mining’s General Manager Myles Johnston said the major shaft underground mine and magnetite processing plant will create and sustain jobs and provide ongoing economic benefits for the region and for the state of Queensland.

“We’re proud to celebrate the transition from open pit to underground mining and magnetite processing, representing the beginning of a new and extended future for our Ernest Henry operation,” Mr Johnston said.

“The project creates 330 jobs during the construction phase and 400 full-time jobs from 2013, extending the operations by at least another 12 years.

“An additional 100 full-time jobs are expected to be created from the development of our newly acquired Mount Margaret Mining Project, purchased from Exco Resources Limited earlier this year. If approved, this project will further add to the production profile of Ernest Henry from the second half of 2012.” 

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Andrew Daniels said Ernest Henry Mining’s transition to underground mining and magnetite processing provides ongoing economic security for the Cloncurry community.

“Ernest Henry Mining is a major contributor to our shire. Extending the mine’s life by another 12 years has helped to provide job security for many people and will underpin the ongoing economic and social development in the shire,” he said.

“This milestone means a strong future for the Ernest Henry operation and it gives people confidence to continue investing in Cloncurry and to keep moving forward.” 

Xstrata Copper North Queensland Chief Operating Officer Steve de Kruijff said the Ernest Henry operation is a critical part of Xstrata Copper North Queensland’s integrated business, which as a whole contributed around $1.34 billion to the Queensland economy and employed nearly 4,000 people in 2010.

“Ernest Henry Mining’s transition is part of our long term operational plan that will see significant investment in north Queensland to focus on exporting mineral concentrates, along with the development of necessary infrastructure to increase rail and port capacity,” Mr de Kruijff said.

Ends

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement

Xstrata Copper contacts

Agata Christodulu
Telephone +61 3295 7687
Mobile +61 478 304 345
Email achristodulu@xstratacopper.com

Vicki Wilson
Telephone +61 7 4769 4578
Mobile +61 7 407 026 671
Email vwilson@xstratacopper.com.au

www.xstratacopper.com

Notes to editors

ABOUT XSTRATA PLC
Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc with additional exposure to gold, cobalt, lead and silver. The Xstrata Group also comprises a growing platinum group metals business, iron ore projects, recycling facilities and a suite of global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The Group's operations and projects span 20 countries.

ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER
Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.

Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Its operations and projects are administered through a regional divisional management structure, which ensures that critical decisions are taken close to the related businesses. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia. 

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Please proceed to the country validation and agreement in order to access this press release.

ENERGÍA AUSTRAL AND HIDROAYSÉN SIGN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

• Under a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies, part of their planned transmission lines will be located on adjacent and independent belts of land, creating a common corridor in a solution that minimises environmental impacts.   
• The two projects remain independent and will, therefore, separately apply for environmental permits and concessions

Santiago, 03 November 2011

Energía Austral (Xstrata Copper) and HidroAysén (Endesa and Colbún) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to minimise the environmental impact of their respective transmission projects through efficient land use.

Under the MOU, part of the transmission lines planned by each company will be located on adjacent and parallel belts of land, creating a common corridor between Mañihuales (Aysén Region) and Mariquina (Los Ríos Region) where Energía Austral would connect into the Central Interconnected Grid (SIC).

The MOU also stipulates that the two projects will maintain their independence and will, therefore, separately apply for their respective environmental permits and the corresponding concessions.

In 2011, both companies have made engineering adjustments to their respective transmission projects after determining that the arrangement envisaged in the MOU would significantly reduce the environmental impact of their transmission lines.

“We are aware of the transmission project’s social and aesthetic sensitivities. For this reason, we have made an important technical effort to achieve synergies that allow us to be more efficient in the use of land and, therefore, reduce the projects’ environmental and social impacts,” said Energía Austral General Manager, Alberto Quiñones.

Prior to signing the agreement, both companies engaged international experts to undertake technical studies in order to evaluate the different alternatives for minimising the environmental, social and visual impacts of the transmission lines.  The technical analysis pointed to the use of adjacent and independent belts of land, creating a common corridor, as the optimum solution.

“After rigorous analysis of the alternatives, we believe we have arrived at a very good transmission solution that, in the coming decade, would provide Chile with an important block of hydroelectricity - around 4,000 MW - with the least possible environmental impacts,” explained Quiñones.

Energía Austral’s transmission project envisages an 800 kilometre direct current line between the municipal districts of Aysén (Aysén Region) and Mariquina (Los Ríos Region), part of which would be submarine. The company expects to submit the corresponding Environmental Impact Study to the authorities in the last quarter of 2012.

Ends

Contacts Energía Austral

Marcela Riquelme 
Telephone +56 2 478 2415
Email mriquelme@xstratacopper.com

Pamela Navarrete
Telephone +56 67 336015
Email pnavarrete@xstratacopper.com

ABOUT ENERGÍA AUSTRAL (www.energiaaustral.cl)
Energía Austral is a subsidiary of Xstrata Copper and forms part of its Business Development Unit. It is developing three hydroelectric plants in the Aysén municipal district - Cuervo, Blanco and Cóndor - and a transmission line to transport the energy produced to Chile’s Central Interconnected Grid (SIC). Energía Austral has offices in Puerto Aysén, Coyhaique and Santiago.

ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER (www.xstratacopper.com)
Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA.

Xstrata Zinc confirms it has completed its acquisition of Minco plc’s interest in the Pallas Green exploration project, for US$19.4 million. Xstrata Zinc (76.4%) and Minco Plc (23.6%) had formerly entered into a joint venture agreement with respect to the Pallas Green project which is now terminated.

On 13 July 2011 Xstrata Zinc announced its agreement to acquire 100% control of the Pallas Green exploration project, subject to conditions, each of which has now been satisfied.

Pallas Green, a zinc-lead exploration project, is located in Limerick County, Ireland. The Pallas Green Licences consist of ten contiguous prospecting licences totalling 294 square kilometres located on the southern boundary of the Irish Midland Orefield between Limerick and Tipperary. Pallas Green has been the focus of an intensive exploration drilling programme as part of pre-feasibility studies towards the potential development of a major zinc-lead mine.

Ends

Neither the content of the company's website nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement

Xstrata contacts

Xstrata Zinc Canada
Louis-Philippe Gariépy 
Telephone + 1 (514) 645 2311 x2162
Email lgariepy@xstratacopper.ca

Alison Flynn
Telephone +44 20 7968 2838
Mobile +44 7769 314374
Email aflynn@xstrata.com