NEW: Canada's federal government has cleared the way for Glencore's $6.9 billion acquisition of Teck Resources Limited's steelmaking coal business.
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne approved the Glencore transaction of the British Columbia-based business, Elk Valley Resources, late Thursday after sources told Bloomberg the announcement was imminent. It marks a new era for Teck -- one that will see it focus on metals for the energy transition like copper.
The federal government said Glencore made legally binding pledges to establish and maintain a head office for Elk Valley Resources in Vancouver; maintain regional offices in Calgary and Sparwood, BC; ensure that a majority of its directors are Canadians and at least 66% of all executives and senior managers are Canadians — all for at least the next 10 years.
Glencore has also made binding environmental commitments, he said, including taking responsibility for stewardship through to 2050 — even if it sells or disposes of the asset — and investing an additional C$350 million ($257 million) in rehabilitation and closure activities over five years.
The two companies spent much of last year in a bitter public fight after Teck rejected an unsolicited $23 billion offer from Glencore, which proposed creating two new metals- and coal-focused companies. The Glencore offer, while unsuccessful, was enough to disrupt an earlier plan by Teck to spin off its coal business.
For Teck, the ultimate deal ended its struggle to find a solution for its mines that produce steelmaking coal after years of studying various options, while securing the cash it needs to fund its metals business. Story in Bloomberg News:
https://lnkd.in/gR9BQ2ZP
Impressive operation providing jobs for the Elk Valley. Your focus on safety, environment, and indigenous relations is commendable.