Mining’s Biggest Merger in History in Talks with Rio Tinto and Glencore

In mega-mining-merger news, Rio Tinto and Glencore have reportedly been in discussions about combining their businesses. Bloomberg reported that these early-stage talks have been taking place, but it remains uncertain whether the discussions are still ongoing.

Rio Tinto and Glencore exploring the possibility of a merger at this magnitude would be a huge shake up to the mining sector.

Rio Tinto holds the title of the world’s second most valuable mining company, sharing the spotlight with its Melbourne-based neighbour, BHP. Both companies boast valuations exceeding US$100B, with Rio Tinto’s market capitalization standing at US$103B as of Thursday. In contrast, Glencore, which made an unsuccessful bid for Canada’s Teck Resources in 2023, is valued at US$55B in London, placing it sixth in the global rankings.

The potential merger between is primarily driven by the promising future of copper, a critical metal for the global energy transition. Copper’s importance as a dominant commodity cannot be overstated, as it plays a central role in enabling the shift towards renewable energy and electrification.

If the merger were to proceed, the combined copper production of Rio Tinto and Glencore would rival that of BHP. According to Bloomberg, Glencore’s production guidance for 2024 is around 1Mt, while Rio Tinto’s upper target is 720Kt. This combined output would position the new entity as a formidable competitor in the copper market.

A successful merger between Rio Tinto and Glencore would also see the new entity surpass BHP, which is currently valued at US$125B. However, it’s worth noting that the top tier of the mining industry is trading well below its peak, which was reached in the second quarter of 2022.

This potential merger echoes BHP’s failed attempt to acquire Anglo American last year, which was also centred around copper. BHP retracted its bid to acquire Anglo American after the miner rejected an extension for negotiations. Despite considering its offer “compelling,” BHP emphasized its commitment to a “disciplined approach” to mergers and acquisitions.

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