Glencore Xstrata sells stake in Peru mine for $5.85B

Agence France-Presse

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The deal is contingent on regulators' approval

This NASA image released 13 October, 2003 captured by the crew on board the International Space Station looks down the bull's-eye of a copper mine in Peru. AFP PHOTO/NASA

BEIJING, China (UPDATED) – China Minmetals said Monday, April 14 that a consortium led by one of its subsidiaries MMG has agreed to buy Glencore Xstrata Plc’s stake in the Las Bambas copper mine project in Peru for $5.85 billion.

China Minmetals, a state-owned mining giant and the parent company of MMG, called it the largest overseas acquisition by China’s metal mining industry.

“The Las Bambas project is in line with the long-term strategy of Minmetals and MMG,” Minmetals President Zhou Zhongshu said in a statement. “(The acquisition) will further optimise the mining asset composition of Minmetals.”

Demand for metals and other raw materials to fuel growth in China, the world’s second-largest economy, has become a key influence on global commodities markets.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, pending approval by governments and shareholders, Minmetals said.

The statement also said that lenders including the China Development Bank, ICBC and Bank of China will provide funding support for the takeover.

Peru is the world’s second biggest copper producer, and Las Bambas is located in the Apurimac region in the country’s southeast. China is the world’s biggest copper importer.

Glencore Xstrata also announced the deal in a statement on Sunday.

The consortium is “owned 62.5% by MMG Limited, 22.5% by GUOXIN International Investment Corporation Limited and 15% by CITIC Metal Company,” the Anglo-Swiss mining giant said. Glencore Xstrata also owns a copper mine in South Cotabato, Philippines.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders,” Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore, said.

Earlier this month, Chinese state-owned grain giant COFCO announced, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, that it would take a majority stake in the agricultural commodities subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Noble Group.

COFCO had announced a deal in late February to buy 51% of Netherlands-based Nidera, a trader of grains and soybeans among other agricultural commodities and active in Brazil and Argentina. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!