18 February 2025
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Anglo American agrees sale of nickel
business for up to $500 million
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Anglo American plc ("Anglo
American") announces that it has entered into a definitive
agreement to sell its nickel business to MMG Singapore Resources
Pte. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMG Limited ("MMG") for a
cash consideration of up to $500 million ("the Transaction"). The
nickel business comprises two ferronickel operations in Brazil -
Barro Alto and Codemin - and two high quality greenfield growth
projects - Jacaré and Morro Sem Boné.
The agreed cash consideration of up
to $500 million comprises an upfront cash consideration of $350
million at completion; the potential for up to $100
million in a price-linked earnout(1);
and contingent cash consideration(2) of $50 million
linked to the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development
projects.
Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive of Anglo American,
said: "The sale of our nickel
business after a highly competitive process marks a further
important milestone towards simplifying our portfolio to create a
more highly valued copper, premium iron ore, and crop nutrients
business. Today's agreement, together with those signed in November
2024 to sell our steelmaking coal business, is expected to generate
a total of up to $5.3 billion of gross cash proceeds, reflecting
the high quality of our steelmaking coal and nickel businesses. MMG
is well-respected as a safe and responsible operator and we believe
our agreement represents a strong outcome not only for our
shareholders, but also for our employees and Brazilian
stakeholders. We will work together to ensure a successful
transition.
"Anglo American's portfolio focus,
exceptional asset quality and growth options offer a differentiated
investment proposition for investors. We are unlocking the inherent
value of all of Anglo American as we create a much simpler, more
resilient and agile business that will enable full value
transparency in the market."
Cao
Liang, Chief Executive of MMG, said: "We are excited by our acquisition of Anglo American's nickel
business which provides important diversification for our business
and strengthens our presence in Latin America. This is a strong
business with a talented team, growth potential and demonstrated
excellence in sustainability performance and we look forward to
continuing this positive legacy. MMG and Anglo American have a long
track record of close collaboration and shared values demonstrated
through our commitment to ICMM principles. We look forward to
working together towards completion."
Anglo American's nickel business is
well positioned to serve both the stainless steel and battery value
chains. The business comprises the operating assets of Barro Alto
mine, Niquelândia mine and the Barro Alto and Codemin ferronickel
processing plants which together produced 39,400 tonnes of nickel
in 2024; and two high quality greenfield growth development
projects: Jacaré with c.300Mt of mineral resources, and Morro Sem
Boné (MSB) with a total potential mineralisation of 65Mt. Barro
Alto is the only nickel mine in the world certified by the
Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, having achieved the
IRMA 75 level of assurance in 2024.
The Transaction is subject to a
number of conditions, including customary competition and
regulatory clearances. The upfront cash consideration is subject to
normal completion adjustments and completion is expected by Q3
2025.
Footnotes:
(1) The price-linked earnout
comprises uncapped semi-annual payments (calculated on a quarterly
basis) of up to $100 million in aggregate, applicable for four
years starting from the first day of the quarter following the
transaction completion date. The payment will be calculated as 50%
of incremental revenue post tax from nickel sales above an agreed
realised nickel price. The precise trigger price above which
payments are made is a realised price of $7.1/lb contained nickel,
which includes typical discounts received for ferronickel
product.
(2) The contingent cash
consideration linked to the development of greenfield projects
comprises a $40 million payment payable upon FID of Jacaré and
US$10 million payment payable upon FID of MSB.
For further information, please
contact:
Notes:
Anglo American is a leading global
mining company focused on the responsible production of copper,
premium iron ore and crop nutrients - future-enabling products that
are essential for decarbonising the global economy, improving
living standards, and food security. Our portfolio of world-class
operations and outstanding resource endowments offers
value-accretive growth potential across all three businesses,
positioning us to deliver into structurally attractive major demand
growth trends.
Our integrated approach to
sustainability and innovation drives our decision-making across the
value chain, from how we discover new resources to how we mine,
process, move and market our products to our customers - safely,
efficiently and responsibly. Our Sustainable Mining Plan commits us
to a series of stretching goals over different time horizons to
ensure we contribute to a healthy environment, create thriving
communities and build trust as a corporate leader. We work together
with our business partners and diverse stakeholders to unlock
enduring value from precious natural resources for our
shareholders, for the benefit of the communities and countries in
which we operate, and for society as a whole. Anglo American is
re-imagining mining to improve people's lives.
Anglo American is currently
implementing a number of major structural changes to unlock the
inherent value in its portfolio and thereby accelerate delivery of
its strategic priorities of Operational excellence, Portfolio
simplification, and Growth. This portfolio transformation will
focus Anglo American on its world-class resource asset base in
copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients, once the sale of our
steelmaking coal and nickel businesses, the demerger of our PGMs
business (Anglo American Platinum), and the separation of our
iconic diamond business (De Beers) have been completed.
www.angloamerican.com
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2025.
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