Anglo American has proposed a set of remedies to the European Commission in an effort to obtain antitrust clearance for the planned sale of its nickel business in Brazil to a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed MMG Ltd.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the London-listed mining group has offered to purchase ferronickel from MMG for resale in Europe for up to ten years, in a move aimed at alleviating regulatory concerns that the transaction could disrupt ferronickel supplies to European customers, Reuters reported.
The proposed remedy covers an agreed quantity of ferronickel equivalent to current European sales volumes from the two Brazilian mines involved in the $500 million deal. It would remain in force for five years, with an option to extend for another five.
The European Commission, which serves as the EU’s competition watchdog, confirmed that it had received Anglo American’s commitments and extended its decision deadline to 4 November 2025. The Commission is expected to consult competitors and customers before deciding whether to accept the proposed commitments, request further concessions, or open an in-depth investigation that could last up to four months.
The sale, first announced in February 2025, forms part of Anglo American’s wider restructuring strategy to concentrate on its core copper and iron ore operations. The company’s decision to divest its nickel assets comes amid shifting global demand and persistent volatility in the metals market.
Nickel is a key raw material for the stainless steel industry, which consumes roughly two-thirds of all refined nickel worldwide. Ensuring continued supply to European customers remains a central consideration in the Commission’s review of the transaction.
