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U.S.-Backed Consortium Reaches Preliminary Deal for 40% of Glencore’s Congo Copper-Cobalt Assets

The preliminary pact aligns with a U.S.–DRC strategy to secure critical minerals through a DFC-backed consortium.

Overview

  • Glencore and the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a 40% stake in Mutanda Mining and Kamoto Copper Company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • The parties said the potential transaction would imply a combined enterprise value of about $9 billion for the two assets.
  • Under the proposed structure, Orion CMC would gain the right to appoint non-executive directors and direct sales of its share of production to nominated buyers, while Glencore would continue operational management.
  • The proposal remains subject to due diligence, negotiation of binding agreements, regulatory approvals, and coordination with the DRC government and state miner Gécamines.
  • Orion CMC was formed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., Orion Resource Partners, and Abu Dhabi’s ADQ with $1.8 billion initially committed toward a $5 billion target, with the announcement timed to high-level critical-minerals meetings in Washington.