Major mining assets change hands after commodity rout (Reuters U.s. – November 8, 2016)

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Major miners are selling assets after a global commodities rout last year left them with high levels of debt. A recovery in raw materials prices has taken away some of the pressure to sell, however, and deals have slowed.

China, whose stimulus package spurred this year’s commodities rally, is the biggest potential buyer. Following is a list of the main mining companies, some of the biggest sales so far and what assets are on offer:

BHP BILLITON LIMITED

Market capitalization: 72.7 billion pounds ($90.3 billion)(Reuters data)

Net debt: $26.1 billion (company reported in August)

Share price movement this year: up 60.7 percent (to close of business Nov. 7)

In 2015, it span off South32 to focus on its core business.

The world’s largest exporter of metallurgical coal, BHP has agreed to sell its coal assets in Indonesia to partner Adaro Energy for $120 million.

Together with Exxon Mobil Corp, BHP Billiton said it is considering selling depleting energy assets in Australia, including Kingfish, the country’s largest discovered oilfield.

It has agreed to sell half of its stake in the Scarborough area gas fields off Western Australia for $400 million.

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