Anglo American Plc is implementing strategic changes to unlock shareholder value and enhance returns. This includes exiting diamond, platinum, and coal mining operations, marking one of the most significant shake-ups in the company's 107-year history.
Key to this plan is the demerger or sale of its De Beers diamond business, alongside separating its Anglo American Platinum unit and divesting coking coal mines in Australia. Additionally, spending on a fertilizer mine project in England will be scaled back.
Watches of Switzerland (UK based) has acquired Roberto Coin Inc. the US division of the Italian jeweller and 6th largest brand in the US by sales through 400 points of sale, for US$130m. The acquisition will allow the group to increase the volume of Roberto Coin jewelry in its own retail network as well as the exclusive right to expand the wholesale reach of Roberto Coin Inc., which will operate as a standalone company within the group. The acquisition demonstrates the increasing importance of branded jewelry in the global retail landscape, National Jeweler notes.
The Financial Times reports on the developing story of the unsolicited bid of Australia-listed BHP on London-listed mining conglomerate Anglo American, which includes the diamond mining branch De Beers, naming potential suitors. BHP's bid was rejected earlier this week by Anglo's board but says it is safe to assume BHP might counter with an improved proposal, while other candidates may well offer a competing bid.
Australia-based Burgundy Diamond Mines has signed a binding share purchase agreement to acquire Canada-based Artic Canadian’s (AC) assets, including the entirety of Ekati Diamond mine, for nearly $136m. AC owns 100% of all businesses, assets and other interests comprising the producing Ekati mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories and expects the sale to result in a significant recapitalization of the firm and allow for continued operations for the Ekati Diamond Mine, which has been in production for nearly 25 years.
According to Reuters, Petra Diamonds invited merger and acquisition proposals on Monday, with CEO Richard Duffy saying the industry would benefit from consolidation.
"We have got opportunities to grow organically but given that we are through this restructuring and we have a much more robust balance sheet, we would be willing to consider consolidation if it makes value sense," Duffy told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town.
The Chinese conglomerate Fosun, best known as being the largest shareholder of insurer Ageas, is considering selling its majority stake in International Gemological Institute (IGI). The deal could value the Antwerp-based diamond evaluator at around 200 million euros, the Bloomberg news agency learned from sources close to the file.
In October, Fosun announced that it plans to sell up to $11 billion in assets to improve its liquidity position. In addition, Fosun would now, together with Deutsche Bank, evaluate the possibility of selling its 80 percent stake in IGI.