This morning acceptances of Xstrata's $A3.20 per share cash offer were at 57.17%. Xstrata passed the halfway mark at about midday yesterday.

While Resource Pacific has stood fast over Xstrata's hostile takeover, on Friday it told shareholders to sell their shares if they were after short-term gains after it conceded a superior offer from a third party was unlikely.

On Friday Resource Pacific said if Xstrata's relevant interest exceeded 50%, the board of directors would recommend acceptance of the offer.

The company's directors, including managing director Paul Jury, initially did not accept the offer but said if Xstrata's shareholding exceeded 50%, they would sell.

Jury and other members of the board and management team do not expect to keep their jobs if Xstrata holds the majority.

They said the strategic direction set by the board, including the expansion of the Newpac mine in the New South Wales Hunter Valley to 8 million tonnes per annum and the operation of two longwalls, may not be followed and Xstrata had no obligation to do so.

Xstrata needs to gain more than 90% acceptances under Australian regulations to compulsorily acquire any remaining shares.