The Frieda River copper-gold project is located near the border of the Sandaun and East Sepik Provinces of North Western Papua New Guinea, Xstrata Copper holds 81.82% of the Frieda River copper-gold project, a joint venture with Highlands Pacific Limited (18.18%)

Horse/Ivaal/Trukai, Nena and Koki deposits (collectively the Frieda District) have an overall resource estimated at 12 million tonnes of copper (26 billion pounds) and 18.5 million ounces of gold and collectively forms one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits.

The Frieda River Project pre-feasibility study, completed by Xstrata and delivered in October 2010 outlined a potential multi-decade open pit mining operation producing an annual average copper production of 246,000 tonnes per annum and 379,000 ounces per annum of gold for the first eight years. Xstrata are on track to deliver a bankable feasibility study in January 2012 after having spent over US$250m in the last five years on diamond core drilling and engineering studies.

Frieda River Project is delivering comprehensive medical services to employees and local communities as part of its commitment to improving health outcomes in the region. The community health team provides weekly clinics in neighbouring villages to attend to individual health concerns promote tropical disease prevention and healthy lifestyles in line with the PNG National Government Health Plan.