Xstrata Copper / South America
El Morro
Xstrata Copper: World > South America
| Detail label | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Chile, South America |
| Products | Exploration / Copper and Gold |
| Website | www.mineraelmorro.com |
Description of Operation
The El Morro copper exploration project in Chile is a joint venture between Xstrata Copper (70%) and Metallica Resources Limited (30%). Xstrata acquired the project in August 2006 as part of its Falconbridge acquisition.
The project consists of two porphyry systems on the property – the El Morro system and the La Fortuna deposit. Exploration in the last three years has focused on the La Fortuna deposit.
El Morro project has a Measured and Indicated resource of 489 million tonnes grading 0.59% copper and 0.52 grams per tonne of gold, using a 0.3% cut-off grade. In addition the project has an Inferred resource of 227 million tonnes grading 0.48% copper and 0.41 grams per tonne gold. The deposit also features a high-grade resource core and a low pre-stripping ratio. The property has further exploration potential as the orebody remains open at depth.