CRU/CESCO-Xstrata Copper to focus on cutting costs, debt

SANTIAGO, April 1 (Reuters) - Xstrata Copper (XTA.L), one of the world's top copper miners, is to focus on cost cutting, debt reduction and cash generation as it weathers the global economic crisis, CEO Charlie Sartain said on Wednesday.

"Our principal priority is in cash generation and debt reduction and management," Sartain said in an interview at his offices in the capital Santiago during the CRU/CESCO copper conference in Chile.

He said the company's debt gearing was currently "just under 30 percent".

The company completed a $5.9 billion rights issue last month. (Reporting By Pav Jordan. Editing by Simon Gardner)