Australian multinational miner BHP Group's (NYSE:BHP) nearly $40 billion bid for rival Anglo American (OTC: NGLOY) may not be enough to acquire the company as other diversified miners will probably make rival bids amid the global scramble for copper assets.
After completing a $6.4 billion takeover of Australian copper producer OZ Minerals last year, BHP is doubling down on the red metal amid widespread expectations that demand will greatly increase in coming years as the global economy transitions from fossil fuels.
Solar and wind farms and electric vehicles require more copper than traditional utilities and internal combustion engine automobiles.
"This is the latest move to consolidate in industrial metals driven by a scramble for copper and other metals central to the world’s clean energy movement," Sean Casterline, founder of the investment consulting firm Delta Capital Management, told Benzinga.
BHP, already the world's biggest mining company, is currently the third-largest copper producer behind Chile's state-run Codelco and U.S.-based heavyweight Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX). A combination with Anglo American would push BHP to the pole position.
"In our view, the copper assets are the primary driver of a proposed transaction," RBC Capital Markets analysts said.
Rival Bids Seem Likely
BHP said it offered 25.08 pounds ($32.27) a share for London-based Anglo American, which said it is reviewing the proposal. The all-share deal values Anglo American at GBP 31.1 billion ($38.9 billion) and is contingent on the U.K. company spinning off its shareholdings in Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (OTC:Full story available on Benzinga.com
Benzinga
