Following preliminary discussions with the Board of Anglo American plc (Anglo American), BHP Group Ltd (BHP) confirms that it is no longer considering a combination of the two companies.
Whilst BHP continues to believe that a combination with Anglo American would have had strong strategic merits and created significant value for all stakeholders, BHP is confident in the highly compelling potential of its own organic growth strategy.
This is a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the UK Code applies. As is customary, BHP reserves the right to set aside this statement in the following circumstances that are set out under Note 2 to Rule 2.8 of the UK Code:
(a) Anglo American's Board of Directors agreeing to this statement being set aside;
(b) a third party announcing a firm intention to make an offer for Anglo American;
(c) Anglo American announcing a Rule 9 waiver proposal (as described in Note 1 of the Notes on Dispensations from Rule 9 of the UK Code) or a reverse takeover (as defined in the UK Code); or
(d) the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers determining that there has been a material change of circumstances.
