Las BambasI saw this elsewhere and just want to bring it to the attention of anyone that missed it. Note that Aur is listed at the end.
Peru delays Las Bambas copper auction to July 2
Monday April 5, 1:42 pm ET
(Adds quote, details)
LIMA, Peru, April 5 (Reuters) - Peru on Monday delayed the
auction of its world-class Las Bambas copper deposit to July 2
from June 25 as previously planned, the latest in a string of
administrative and legal delays for the project.
The government's investment agency, ProInversion, gave no
immediate explanation for the change.
"The new dates could still be changed," a spokesman said.
Fourteen companies have pre-qualified for the auction,
including the world's leading copper miners except Chile's
state-owned Codelco.
Other miners now have until June 21 to express their
interest in bidding, an extension of seven days on the original
date, ProInversion said.
Peru says Las Bambas could be bigger than its Antamina gold
and copper mine, which is owned by BHP Billiton, Noranda,
Teck-Cominco Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corp. (Tokyo:8058.T - News). Antamina has
proven and 530 million tonnes of proven mineral reserves.
Antamina is considered one of the pillars of the Peruvian
economy, accounting for nearly one percentage point of the
country's economic growth per year. Start-up of the mine cost
$2.3 billion.
Luis Calienes, a geologist and consultant for ProInversion,
told Reuters last year initial drilling was very positive and
there were "resources indicated by drilling of 81.2 million
tonnes" -- double previous estimates of around 40 million
tonnes with 2 percent copper.
ProInversion says Las Bambas has an exploration potential
of more than 500 million tonnes.
The sale of Las Bambas, which was first discovered in 1911,
was held up for years over a lawsuit. Peru's Supreme Court
issued a ruling in the government's favor in July last year.
The 14 companies pre-qualified for the auction are:
* Rio Tinto
* Noranda Inc.
* Anglo American
* BHP Billiton
* Teck-Cominco Ltd.
* Southern Peru Copper Corp.
* Vale Do Rio Doce
* Phelps Dodge
* Xstrata Plc
* Industrias Penoles
* Antofagasta Plc
* Aur Resources Inc.
* Barrick Gold Corp.
* Cambior Inc.