ASX-PLAYERS MAKING MOVES

• BHP (ASX: BHP) is planning a potential $2.1 billion expansion of its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, with a decision expected by 2020. BHP has also earned an 11.2 per cent stake in Solgold, which owns the Cascabel porphyry copper-gold project in Ecuador. • Newcrest (ASX: NCM) produced 25,000t of copper in the September quarter; up 49 per cent on the September 2017 quarter. The miner has recently completed a PFS into an expansion at Cadia, which examines increasing the plant to 33mtpa. • OZ Minerals (ASX: OZL) is in the final stages of the construction phase at its Carrapateena copper project in South Australia, with first concentrate production on track for late 2019. • Cassini Resources (ASX: CZI) has partnered with OZ Minerals to develop its West Musgrave copper-nickel project in WA. In October, OZ Minerals fulfilled requirements to earn a 51 per cent interest in the project, and was currently advancing a PFS.

• Havilah Resources (ASX: HAV) continues to implement its Copper

Strategy- Enhanced by Cobalt. The miner has advanced exploration in the Mutooroo region, and determined a 100 million tonne maiden ore reserve at Kalkaroo, also in South Australia.

• Hammer Metals (ASX:

HMX) recently purchased two exploration permits that cover the Sunset and Black Rock prospects in QLD. It also has a 75 per cent interest in the Millennium deposit and 51 per cent stake in the emerging Jubilee project.

• Minotaur Exploration (ASX:

MEP) has begun drilling at its newly acquired Highlands copper project in QLD. Drilling will test strong ground EM anomalism contained within broader VTEM targets, Gospel and Coolibah. • Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) has made a significant upgrade to the copper and zinc resources at its Whundo mine in the Pilbara, WA.