Vedanta completes acquisition of Skorpion zinc mine

Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Resources has completed the acquisition of Namibia’s Skorpion zinc mine from Anglo American plc for about $707 million.

Vedanta Resources’ subsidiary, Sterlite Industries, announced the completion of the said acquisition in a regulatory filing to the London Stock Exchange on Friday.

The deal is part of Vedanta’s $1,338 million acquisition of Anglo American’s zinc assets announced in May this year.

Anglo Zinc comprises of the Skorpion mine in Namibia, Lisheen mine in Ireland and Black Mountain mines in South Africa.

Acquisitions of the Lisheen and Black Mountain mines were expected to be completed on schedule, the filing said.

Vedanta intended to acquire Anglo Zinc through Hindustan Zinc — a subsidiary of Sterlite, but the approval from the Indian Government was not received within the contractual completion timeline for Skorpion.

Anglo Zinc was a strategic fit with our existing business and will create significant long-term value for shareholders, Vedanta said, adding this acquisition would consolidate its position as the world’s largest integrated zinc-lead producer, with significant reserves and resources of 478 million tonnes.

“We are delighted to have completed the first phase of the acquisition of Anglo Zinc assets. Skorpion Zinc Mine is a high quality zinc asset and will complement our existing portfolio,” Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal said.