Katanga Mining announces agreement to acquire land rights from Gécamines

posted: 20/12/2019

Katanga Mining announces agreement to acquire land rights from Gécamines

Baar, Switzerland 20 December 2019

 

Glencore refers to the announcement today by Katanga Mining Limited ("Katanga") in which it announced that Katanga's 75% subsidiary Kamoto Copper Company (“KCC”) has entered into an agreement with La Générale des Carrières et des Mines (“Gécamines”), its 25% joint venture partner in KCC, to acquire from Gécamines a comprehensive land package covering areas adjacent to KCC’s existing mining concessions.

The land includes multiple blocks over the preferred location for construction of a new long-term tailings facility, and multiple other blocks that will enhance KCC’s ability to more efficiently operate its mines, facilities and other key infrastructure requirements. If this agreement is implemented then the risks for KCC’s operations resulting from land constraints, which are described in the Company’s 43-101 Technical Report issued on 7 November 2019, would be mitigated.

KCC will pay up to USD 250 million to acquire the land, the total amount payable being dependent on delivery of title to the various different land areas.

The agreement also provides for (among other matters): 

  • (i)    an initial payment of USD 150 million to Gécamines which will be fully offset against the purchase price consideration or other payment obligations of the Company to Gécamines from time to time,
  • (ii)    obligations on KCC to remove tailings (estimated at circa 15m dmt), currently in a sub-section of these areas, to another suitable proximate location,
  • (iii)    warranties and indemnities from Gécamines concerning the land interests to be transferred,
  • (iv)    contingent obligations to pay “pas de porte” payments to Gécamines if KCC declares a JORC compliant reserve or otherwise elects to mine any resources in certain of the acquired land areas, on substantially the same terms as in the Settlement Agreement announced by KCC in June 2018. An amount of up to USD 120 million of the consideration may be offset against these pas de porte obligations, and 
  • (v)    a new royalty to Gécamines of 2.5% of net sales from the acquired land areas if KCC elects to mine any resources in the acquired land areas. 

 

KCC expects to satisfy the consideration payments from existing liquidity. The agreement anticipates the title transfers to be effected during the course of 2020.

The entering into of this acquisition agreement between Katanga and Gécamines constitutes a smaller related party transaction as defined in UK Listing Rule 11.1.10 because Gécamines holds more than 10% of the voting rights in a material subsidiary of Glencore. Accordingly, Glencore has obtained written confirmation from a sponsor under the UK Listing Rules that the terms of the agreement with Gécamines are fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of Glencore are concerned.

For further information please contact:

Investors
Martin Fewings    
t: +41 41 709 2880    
m: +41 79 737 5642    
martin.fewings@glencore.com

Maartje Collignon    
t: +41 41 709 3269    
m: +41 79 197 4202    
maartje.collignon@glencore.com

Media
Charles Watenphul    
t: +41 41 709 24 62    
m: +41 79 904 33 20    
charles.watenphul@glencore.com

Glencore LEI: 2138002658CPO9NBH955

Notes for Editors
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of offices located in over 35 countries.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 158,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.


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