M&A

Xiana buys Glencore copper mine in Chile

Chinese company aiming to put copper asset back on the map

Tom Azzopardi in Santiago
China's Xiana Mining has finalised the acquisition of Minera Altos de Punitaqui in Chile

China's Xiana Mining has finalised the acquisition of Minera Altos de Punitaqui in Chile

Xiana paid US$25 million in cash for the complex which consists of three operating mines, a concentrate plant, related infrastructure and exploration licences near the northern city of Ovalle.

"MAP is an excellent cornerstone asset for the Xiana portfolio and we look forward to executing our optimization plans for the asset, building upon the asset's potential and delivering long-term shareholder value," said Xiana chairman and CEO Carlos Ballon.

Glencore acquired MAP in 2010 through an auction of the assets of Australian-owned Minera Tamaya. Following its takeover of mining company Xstrata in 2013, its other assets in Chile include the Lomas Bayas copper mine, the Altonorte metallurgical complex and a 44% stake in the giant Collahuasi mine.

Xiana also announced the appointment of Jaime Guzman, a former operations manager at Codelco's Andina division, as general manager of local subsidiary Xiana Chile SPA.

Production has been falling at the complex. Last year, it produced 5,500 tonnes of copper in concentrate, down 21% from 2016, although production of gold almost doubled to 21,000 ounces.

The Toronto-listed junior announced last May the deal to acquire MAP to be financed through a private placement for C$10 million and $9 million convertible loan from Tembo Capital Mining Fund GP LP.

Last month, the company announced that Glencore agreed to amend the agreement so that Xiana will only have to pay US$2.5 million on closing, down from $5 million, while the remainder is payable over three years, rather than two.

Glencore will also receive a 1.5% net smelter royalty payable once more than nine million tonnes of ore have been processed.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.