02 October 2009
Anglo American notes Takeover Panel deadline
Anglo American plc ("Anglo American" or "the Group") notes today's announcement by the Takeover Panel Executive that it has imposed a deadline of 5.00pm on 20 October 2009, by which time Xstrata plc (“Xstrata”) must, unless the Takeover Panel Executive consents otherwise, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Anglo American under Rule 2.5 of the UK Takeover Code (the “Code”) or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Anglo American.
If Xstrata announces that it does not intend to make an offer
for Anglo American, Xstrata and any person acting in concert with
it will, except with the consent of the Takeover Panel Executive,
be bound by the restrictions contained in Rule 2.8 of the Code for
six months from the date of such announcement.
On 22 June, the Board of Anglo American unanimously rejected
Xstrata's proposal as not being in the best interests of its
shareholders. The Board stated that it considered the
strategic case for the combination to be unattractive for Anglo
American and, furthermore, the terms proposed by Xstrata to be
totally unacceptable. Nothing since then has changed the Board's
view and the Board reiterates its emphatic rejection of Xstrata's
approach.
By 20 October, Xstrata will have had four months to either
announce a formal offer or withdraw and Anglo American believes it
is in the interests of the Group and its shareholders that this
period of uncertainty is brought to an end.
Sir John Parker, Chairman of Anglo American said: “Having
reviewed with management and advisors the value creation potential
at Anglo American relative to Xstrata’s merger proposal and
having met our shareholders in the UK, South Africa and USA, we
have reaffirmed our conclusion that Xstrata’s proposal is not
in the interests of our shareholders. We have made our position on
Xstrata’s proposal very clear and we welcome the
Panel’s decision today.”
As required by the Code, Anglo American confirms that this
announcement is not being made with the agreement or approval of
Xstrata. A further announcement will be made in due
course.
About Anglo American
Anglo American plc is one of the world's largest mining groups.
With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a
global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with
significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as
an industrial minerals business. The Group is geographically
diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North
America, Australia and Asia.
(www.angloamerican.co.uk)
UBS Limited ("UBS Investment Bank") is acting exclusively
for Anglo American and no one else in connection with the proposal
from Xstrata and will not be responsible to anyone other than Anglo
American for providing the protections afforded to clients of UBS
Investment Bank, or for providing advice in connection with the
proposal or any matter referred to herein.
Goldman Sachs International is acting exclusively for Anglo
American and no one else in connection with the proposal from
Xstrata and will not be responsible to anyone other than Anglo
American for providing the protections afforded to clients of
Goldman Sachs International, or for providing advice in connection
with the proposal or any matter referred to
herein.
Nomura International plc ("Nomura"), which is authorised and
regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services
Authority, is acting exclusively for Anglo American and no one else
in connection with the proposal from Xstrata and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Anglo American for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Nomura, or in relation to the
contents of this announcement, or for providing advice in
connection with the proposal or any matter referred to
herein.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the
"Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or
indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of
Anglo American or Xstrata plc ("Xstrata"), all "dealings" in any
"relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an
option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such
"relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date
of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until
the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional
as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the
"offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together
pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or
informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of
Anglo American or Xstrata, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in
"relevant securities" of either Anglo American or Xstrata by Anglo
American or Xstrata, or by any of their respective "associates",
must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the
London business day following the date of the relevant
transaction.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose
"relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the
number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover
Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has
long economic exposure, whether absolute or conditional, to changes
in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated
as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of
securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative
referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also
be found on the Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt
as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under
Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.
Anglo American
Nick Von Schirnding, Head of Investor and Corporate
Affairs
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8540
James Wyatt-Tilby, Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0)20 7968 8759
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