NO.006

FIRB: XSTRATA/WMC

Exercising powers under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975,

I have decided that the Australian Government has no objection to Xstrata plc’s

(Xstrata) proposed acquisition of all the issued shares of WMC Resources Limited

(WMC) provided that corporation complies with the conditions set out in Attachment

A.

I also welcome the assurances contained in the attached

letter from Xstrata’s Chief Executive, regarding Xstrata’s

commitment to the high standards of corporate governance and disclosure associated

with the London Stock Exchange, its plans to appoint an Australian resident

to the Board of Xstrata and its long term commitment to Australia.

MELBOURNE

11 February 2005

Contact: David Alexander

03 9650 0244

ATTACHMENT A

Xstrata’s undertakings, observance of which is a condition under Section

25 (1A) of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act):

1. Xstrata will abide by all Australian federal and state laws and regulations

   relating to the mining and export of uranium;

2. The headquarters and executive boards of Xstrata Coal, Xstrata Copper and

   the planned new business group, Xstrata Nickel, will be retained in Australia

   whilst the majority of the assets of the respective businesses are located

   in Australia;

3. Xstrata will continue with the exploration programs currently undertaken

   by WMC within WMC’s nickel and Olympic Dam businesses in Australia, in addition

   to Xstrata’s existing green- and brown-fields exploration activities

   in Australia which involve currently budgeted expenditure of $31 million per

   annum on average for the next three years;

4. Xstrata’s annual reporting disclosure will include the Group’s

   annual exploration expenditure in Australia, and Xstrata will report on these

   activities annually to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources;

5. Xstrata will undertake prior consultations with the Department of Industry,

   Tourism and Resources on the terms of any and all marketing arrangements it

   enters into with third parties in respect of uranium, which will be subject

   to all regulatory requirements imposed as part of the Australian Government’s

   regulations and disclosure rules relating to uranium sales out of Australia.

This condition will have effect indefinitely, subject to amendment of the Act

or any revocation or amendment by the Treasurer.