Germany Chancellor plans lithium deal with Serbia after Rio ruling
Olaf Scholz plans to visit Serbia this week to secure supplies of lithium that are critical for the nation’s energy transition and auto industry.
Inside sources claim platinum miner Lonmin (LON:LMI) will price an upcoming share offer at a 45% discount to the theoretical ex-rights price (TERP) on Friday, with the hope of raising a total of $800 million.
Reuters reports that the company urgently needs to raise capital to lighten its debt burden following six weeks of deadly labor disputes at its mines in South Africa.
The company’s chief shareholder Xstrata (LON:XTA) holds a 25% stake in Lonmin, yet is still undecided as to whether it will participate in the rights issuance. Xstrata is currently in the middle of a protracted takeover by Swiss-peer Glencore (LON:GLEN), which is believed to have little interest in the platinum sector.
Another source cited by Reuters says there would be “strong demand” for the rights issue at the discounted price on offer.
Lonmin shares closed down 3.6% in London on Thursday.
