REG - Glencore PLC - Proposed purchase of stake in Glencore DRC assets

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RNS Number : 5738R  Glencore PLC  03 February 2026

 

 

Glencore plc

Baar, Switzerland

3 February 2026

 

Proposed acquisition by US-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium of a
strategic stake in Glencore's DRC assets

 

Glencore and the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium ("Orion CMC") announce that
they have entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in relation
to a potential acquisition by Orion CMC of a 40% stake in Glencore's interests
in its Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") assets, Mutanda Mining ("Mumi")
and Kamoto Copper Company ("KCC"). The transaction is expected to imply a
combined enterprise value for Mumi and KCC of around $9 billion.

 

Orion CMC will have the right to appoint non-executive directors in respect of
the assets and direct the sale of the relevant share of production from the
assets to nominated buyers, in accordance with the U.S.-DRC Strategic
Partnership Agreement, thereby securing critical minerals for the United
States and its partners. Mumi and KCC would continue to be managed as part of
the Glencore Group.

 

Glencore and Orion CMC will also look for opportunities to expand and develop
Mumi and KCC, working with the DRC government and Gécamines, Glencore's
existing partner in KCC, as well as to acquire additional critical mineral
projects and assets in the DRC and the African copper belt more broadly.

 

Established in October 2025 and led by Orion Resource Partners in partnership
with the U.S. government, Orion CMC is a mission-driven consortium designed to
support the United States and its allied and partner nations to develop
secure, responsible, and resilient supply chains for the critical minerals
that underpin future economic growth and security.

 

The proposed transaction remains subject to due diligence, the execution of
legally binding documentation and any applicable regulatory approvals.

 

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, said: "The United States
government is fully committed to the Washington Accords and ensuring peace,
stability and prosperity throughout the entire Great Lakes region. This
proposed transaction between Glencore and the US-backed Orion Critical
Minerals Consortium reflects the core objectives of the U.S.-DRC Strategic
Partnership Agreement by encouraging greater U.S. investment in the DRC's
mining sector and promoting secure, reliable, and mutually beneficial flows of
critical minerals between our two countries. We look forward to continued
close engagement with the DRC government to advance this transaction in a
manner that delivers benefits for both our peoples and sets a positive example
for future U.S. investment."

 

DFC CEO Ben Black, said: "This proposed partnership between Orion CMC and
Glencore has the potential to bring significant returns for both the United
States and the DRC. Orion CMC's potential investment would reflect the growing
relationship between the U.S. and the DRC, help secure a reliable source of
critical minerals for the United States and our partners, and drive economic
opportunity and regional stability for the DRC."

 

Gary Nagle, CEO of Glencore, said: "We are pleased that the U.S. government
and Orion CMC have recognized Glencore's role as the only major Western
producer of copper and cobalt in the DRC, through our high-quality assets,
Mumi and KCC.  Through this partnership, we would be able to support the
ambitions of the U.S. government and private sector with the supply of two
critical minerals."

 

"The proposed transaction also represents a significant vote of confidence in
the DRC government's ongoing efforts to attract major foreign investment to
the country and further develop its mining industry. As the world's largest
producer of cobalt and one of the largest copper producers, the DRC plays a
vital role in supporting the technology, defense and critical infrastructure
roll-out of today and the future."

 

Oskar Lewnowski, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Orion Resource
Partners LP, said: "This proposed transaction is exactly what Orion CMC was
established to achieve - securing long-life, high-quality production of
critical minerals while supporting resilient supply chains for the United
States and its allies. It underscores both the scale of the opportunity and
the strategic importance of the Consortium's mission, and this partnership
will create a strong platform from which Orion CMC can further develop
critical mineral assets and pursue additional investment opportunities. We
look forward to working closely with Glencore and U.S. DFC to advance these
shared ambitions."

 

For further information please contact:

 Investors
 Martin Fewings     t: +41 41 709 28 80  m: +41 79 737 56 42  martin.fewings@glencore.com
 Media
 Charles Watenphul  t: +41 41 709 24 62  m: +41 79 904 33 20  charles.watenphul@glencore.com

 

www.glencore.com

Glencore LEI: 2138002658CPO9NBH955

Notes for Editors

 

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource
companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities that
advance everyday life. Through a network of assets, customers and suppliers
that spans the globe, we produce, process, recycle, source, market and
distribute the commodities that advance everyday life.

 

KCC's operations produce copper and cobalt hydroxide from its two open pit
mines and one underground mine and Mumi's operations produce copper and cobalt
from its three open pit mines, providing raw ore feed for our copper and
cobalt production facilities. In 2025, KCC and Mumi produced a combined
247.8kt copper metal and 33.5 kt cobalt contained in concentrates and
hydroxides. In 2025, both KCC and Mumi achieved The Copper Mark, after
comprehensive self and independent assessments to evaluate the sites'
alignment with 33 globally recognized criteria on responsible mining.

 

About Orion CMC

Orion CMC is an investment consortium led by Orion Resource Partners LP, and
includes the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).  Orion
CMC represents the largest initiative to create secure supply chains for
critical minerals to the United States and its allies.

 

About Orion Resource Partners

Orion Resource Partners LP is a global investment firm specializing in the
metals and materials critical to sustainable economic growth and energy
transition, with more than $8 billion of assets under management and a team of
more than 80 professionals across five global offices. Orion has successfully
invested across the metals and materials value chain for over a decade,
operating complementary investment strategies spanning the full liquidity
spectrum, finding and capturing opportunities driven by the long-term trends
of global decarbonization, the constrained supply of critical resources, and
advancements in industrial technologies. Orion is a signatory to the UN PRI
and the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability.
For more information visit www.orionrp.com

 

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Important Information

This material does not purport to contain all of the information you may wish
to consider. For further important information, including in connection with
forward-looking statements and other cautionary information, refer to the
Important notice section of Glencore's 2024 Annual Report, which is available
at glencore.com/publications. This document does not constitute or form part
of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer
to purchase or subscribe for any securities.

 

Other information
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are separate and distinct legal entities. In this document, "Glencore",
"Glencore group" and "Group" are used for convenience only where references
are made to Glencore plc and its subsidiaries in general. These collective
expressions are used for ease of reference only and do not imply any other
relationship between the companies. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our"
are also used to refer collectively to members of the Group or to those who
work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is
served by identifying the particular company or companies.

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