Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Mines Minister, announced his support for Anglo American Plc’s most recent restructuring proposals, marking a substantial departure from his past opposition. This follows the mining behemoth’s announcement that it would split off its platinum division and turn down two offers from BHP Group, signaling a turning point in both the company’s strategic orientation and the mining industry in South Africa.
Anglo’s new approach is a vital step to optimize value, according to Mantashe, who had earlier expressed serious objections about BHP’s intention to spin off Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) and Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. before acquiring other assets. Mantashe made the phone comment, “It is their plan and they must do anything that will optimize value,” demonstrating a noticeable change in tone toward a more supportive position on Anglo American’s independent strategic moves.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which could lose its majority in the next elections for the first time since 1994, was going through a difficult time at the time of the restructuring announcement. The political context makes worse the timing of Anglo’s statement, which CEO Duncan Wanblad called “absolutely disrespectful” considering how close to the elections it was. Wanblad stated that BHP’s assertive takeover strategy was what sparked the decision.
Anglo American would give up its Australian coking coal mines, sell from its De Beers diamond operations, and demerge its 79% holding in Amplats in an orderly way as per the recently disclosed plan. BHP’s £34 billion ($43 billion) proposal accelerated this strategic reorganization, which aims to concentrate Anglo’s attention on more profitable and strategically important assets, including retaining its Kumba iron ore subsidiary and maintaining a stake in its manganese business.
In spite of the initial 10% decline in Amplats’ share price in Johannesburg trade after the announcement, Mantashe is still upbeat about Amplats’ prospects as a stand-alone company. Mantashe predicts that Amplats, the biggest producer of platinum in the world, will “survive” and maintain its position as the industry leader.
Stakeholder reaction has been inconsistent, with a lot of focus on the restructuring’s long-term effects. The Public Investment Corp. (PIC), which oversees the pensions of South African government employees and is Anglo’s second-largest shareholder, declared its willingness to maintain a close relationship with both Anglo and BHP. David Masondo, the deputy minister of finance and chairman of PIC, underlined the commitment to evaluating transactions for long-term value generation.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), a labor group, has also voiced their opinions. It has praised Anglo’s dedication to South Africa. They emphasized how crucial it is that any upcoming adjustments take Anglo’s employees’ welfare into account. Recognizing the possible effects of the reorganization on the workforce, Cosatu said, “We need a pledge that any adjustments Anglo undertakes address the interests of its faithful employees.”
