UK-South African mining firm Anglo American has rejected a revised £34bn ($42.7bn) takeover proposal from Australian resources firm BHP because it "continues to significantly undervalue Anglo American and its future prospects".
Anglo American earlier rejected BHP's £31bn all-share offer for the same reason.
"The latest proposal from BHP again fails to recognise the value inherent in Anglo American," Anglo American chairman Stuart Chambers said on 13 May. Anglo American shareholders are well positioned to benefit from increasing demand from "future-enabling products", Chambers added.
Copper was the second-highest contributor to Anglo American last year, accounting for 32pc of its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation.
BHP's latest offer represents a total value of around £27.53 per Anglo American ordinary share, including £4.86 in Anglo Platinum shares and £3.40 in Kumba shares, BHP said on 13 May. The takeover proposal came with a requirement for Anglo American to complete two separate demergers of its entire shareholdings in Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore — its assets in South Africa — to Anglo American shareholders.
"This leaves Anglo American, its shareholders and stakeholders disproportionately at risk from the substantial uncertainty and execution risk created by the proposed inter-conditional execution of two demergers and a takeover," Anglo American said.