EU Commission Issues Antitrust Objection to MMG's Purchase of Anglo American's Brazil Nickel Business
The European Commission has issued a statement of objections over MMG's acquisition of Anglo American's Brazilian nickel business, concerned that low-carbon ferronickel supply could shift toward China. The Commission rejected MMG's remedies at the preliminary review stage, prompting the company to offer more binding concessions. MMG said on September 16, 2026 that it would guarantee long-term ferronickel supply to European customers. Anglo American responded that ferronickel supply had increased over the past 12 months.
The European Commission has rejected the remedies MMG proposed during the preliminary review stage, finding that they did not adequately address competition concerns. MMG subsequently offered more binding concessions in an effort to secure approval for the transaction.
A company executive said earlier on September 16, 2026 that MMG was willing to provide long-term ferronickel supply guarantees to European customers in response to the regulator's concerns.
Anglo American responded to the Commission's statement of objections, noting that ferronickel supply had increased over the past 12 months.
MMG is headquartered in Australia and China and is controlled by China Minmetals, a Chinese central state-owned enterprise directly supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.
Why this event matters
The event has a measured impact on 1 industry. The strongest current signal is mixed for Base Metals, with intensity 50/100 and 60% confidence over a short term horizon.
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