CHARTS: The coming critical minerals trade war is BRICS short of a load
"While a large number of countries around the world continue to talk about securing raw material supply, China is actually doing something about it."
International Resources Holding RSC Ltd. of Abu Dhabi will invest more than $1 billion in Zambia’s Mopani copper mine, securing access to a metal that’s key to the energy transition as fears grow over future supplies.
The group was announced as the winner of a drawn-out process to invest in the government-owned mine on Nov. 30. The deal will help Zambia revive major copper and cobalt mines that Glencore Plc previously owned.
Zambia’s majority state-owned ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc said Friday that IRH will pay $620 million for a 51% stake in the business, with the government owning the rest.
IRH has also agreed to make up to $400 million in shareholder loans. ZCCM said it’s also in talks with Glencore about restructuring its debt to the commodity trader.
Mopani, which traces its roots back to 1929, needs about $300 million to complete projects started by Glencore and boost annual production fivefold, to 200,000 tons. Mopani made a loss of $196 million in the first half of 2023, according to ZCCM-IH. The company operates two sites in Zambia’s Copperbelt province, including shafts, a smelter and a refinery.
The deal comes after ZCCM-IH purchased the Swiss commodity giant’s 90% stake in Mopani in 2021 for $1 cash and $1.5 billion in debt. Glencore, which had clashed with the previous Zambian government over the future of the long-unprofitable operation, retains offtake rights to part of the mine’s output until the debt is settled in full.
Addressing reporters Friday, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said that the debt portion of the deal has been lowered.
“We have now been able to negotiate this liability down from $1.5 billion to $400 million,” he said.
(By Thomas Biesheuvel and Taonga Mitimingi)
5 Comments
Moses Musankabala
Very interesting insight
Hockley Kalale
Good move we have been longing for this for a long time hopping the lives of miners will be changed and given the respect they deserve
Musongo chalabesa
Am happy for the investment in Zambia and take over one of the biggest mine which is mopani copper mine
harris munyenyembe
It’s a good move for the government and the people of Zambia that the investment in mopani will boost the export of copper and other minerals for the better of citizens and Zambian citizens at most
Kellies Kombe
This is good news for Zambian citizen