Offer Update

18 Apr 2006 07:16

Antofagasta PLC18 April 2006 ANTOFAGASTA PLC Antofagasta to declare its takeover offer for Tethyan unconditional when its interest exceeds 50% 18 April 2006 Antofagasta PLC ("Antofagasta") announces today that its recommended takeoveroffer for Tethyan Copper Company Limited ("Tethyan") will be declaredunconditional when its relevant interest in Tethyan shares exceeds 50%. As of today, Antofagasta has a relevant interest in Tethyan of 45%. The Board of Tethyan continues to unanimously recommend that all shareholdersaccept the Antofagasta offer (in the absence of superior offer). Enquiries - Santiago Enquiries - London Antofagasta Minerals S.A.Antofagasta PLC Alejandro RiveraTel: +44 20 7808 0988 Tel: +56 2 377 5145www.antofagasta.co.uk Email: arivera@aminerals.cl Desmond O'Conor Enquiries - AustraliaEmail: doconor@antofagasta.co.uk N M Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Ltd (financial advisers)Bankside Consultants Tel: +61 2 9323 2000Tel: +44 20 7367 8873 Marshall BaillieuMob: +44 7885 356 639 Chris Forman Keith Irons Jackson Wells Morris (public relations advisers)Email: keith@bankside.com Tel: +61 2 9904 4333 Benjamin Haslem Jakob Webster This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange