New Sandfire Resources boss Brendan Harris says the company is “playing in the right space at the right time” amid intense interest in securing copper assets and has no choice other than to look at a major mine up for sale close to its emerging operations in Botswana.

Mr Harris, who took on the job of managing director and chief executive earlier this month, said Sandfire was focused on its operations in Spain and its new Motheo mine in Botswana as well as other growth options in its portfolio.