The Competition Commission of India has approved acquisition of steel-making coal portfolio of Anglo-American plc in Australia by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd.

The proposed transaction involves the acquisition by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd (Peabody MNG) and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd (Peabody SMC) (collectively, Acquirers), of a portion of assets and businesses associated with Anglo American plc’s (Anglo) steel-making coal portfolio in Australia (Proposed Combination).

The Acquirers are newly incorporated special purpose vehicles formed for the purposes of the Proposed Combination. Each of them is ultimately owned by Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody). Peabody, [together with its affiliates, (the Peabody Group)], the ultimate parent company of the Peabody Group, is a global producer and supplier of metallurgical and thermal coal. The Peabody Group’s activities in India are primarily focused on the sales of coal by way of imports.

The assets being acquired as part of the Proposed Combination consist of a portion of Anglo’s assets and businesses associated with its steel-making coal portfolio in Australia (Target Business). The Target Business is currently owned and controlled by Anglo and its subsidiaries, which is a global mining company. In India, the Target Business supplies coal by way of imports.

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

Merger approval: competition regulator clears Peabody acquisition of Anglo American's steel-making coal portfolio, enabling asset transfer. Competition approval was granted for acquisition by Peabody-controlled special purpose vehicles of a portion of Anglo American plc's Australian steel-making coal portfolio, transferring ownership and control of the specified Target Business assets to the Peabody Group, which supplies metallurgical coal and participates in India via imports; the Acquirers are newly formed SPVs ultimately owned by Peabody Energy Corporation.