Metinvest sells back interest in iron ore project for USD 5.6 mln
18 January 2016
Ukraine’s largest steel maker and iron ore miner Metinvest (METINV) sold back for USD 5.6 mln its 49% interest stake in Black Iron Cyprus, a company that is pursuing the Shymanivske iron ore project in central Ukraine. Metinvest acquired the interest in 2014 for USD 20 mln from Black Iron (BKI CN). Besides the interest purchase, Metinvest’s contribution to the project’s development was estimated at USD 536 mln, based on its total capital needs of USD 1,097 mln.
Roman Topolyuk: Among the main positives of the deal is Metinvest will be able to focus more on its current operations and not get distracted with projects that it currently doesn’t have the capacity to fund, being stuck in negotiations with creditors and aiming to get relief even on interest payments. With global iron ore prices at breakeven level, Metinvest is most probably on the brink of reducing its iron ore production to only those volumes required by its metallurgical division, while slashing external sales. So funding greenfield projects isn’t a priority.
Regarding the deal’s valuation compared to the initial purchase price, spot prices have slid 3.3x since early 2014, and their outlook has worsened drastically. So, the subsequent 3.6x plunge in its equity stake to USD 5.6 mln looks justified in our view.
