Vedanta Buys Anglo Zinc Assets

Vedanta Becomes World's Largest Zinc Producer

Vedanta Resources has bought Anglo American's zinc assets for $1.34 billion in a deal that will see it become the world's largest zinc producer.

After the deal has gone through, Vedanta will have 11 percent of the global zinc market, including the Skorpion mine in Namibia, Lisheen in Ireland and Black Mountain in South Africa.

"These high quality assets complement Vedanta's existing portfolio, creating the largest zinc and lead producer in the world," Chairman Anil Agarwal said.


The sale for Anglo is one step on a divestment programme that seeks trim its portfolio and focus on key commodities, such as copper, iron ore and platinum.

Vedanta Shows Increased Q4 Iron Output

Zinc Shows Slight Fall in Quarter

London-listed miner, Vedanta Resources, said on Thursday that fourth-quarter zinc production fell 2% to 194,000 tonnes; however full-year production was up 5% to 769,000 tonnes reflecting improved mining performance.

Refined zinc and lead production were in line with the previous quarter at 150,000 tonnes and 20,000 tonnes respectively, though full-year production was up 5% and 11% at 578,000 tonnes and 72,000 tonnes.

Iron ore production rose 59% over the previous quarter to 7.8 million tonnes, with annual production up by 36% to 20.5 million tonnes. The increases were largely due to new production facilities at Vedanta’s Dempo operations and increased throughput at Sesa Goa. The company is on target to increase its production capacity to 50 million tonnes per year by 2013.