Tata Steel and MMTC plan SPV to buy gold mines overseas

India’s largest private sector steel maker Tata Steel is forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with state-owned MMTC for acquiring gold and diamond mining businesses abroad. MMTC would hold 26% stake in the proposed venture, leaving 76% to the Tata Steel.

The venture is likely to start operations by acquiring mining rights for diamond in Angola and Namibia before venturing in other African markets. The SPV would also explore business opportunities in iron ore and coal mining abroad through acquisitions or fresh mining rights. India is the world’s largest importer of diamond and gold with imports to the tune of $10 billion in each category. The joint venture between Tata Steel and MMTC would aim at acquiring mining rights for these minerals mainly in African markets with the aim of reducing country’s import dependence. While African markets would be the prime focus of the venture, it would also explore mineral rights in Australia, Brazil, Russia and Indonesia.

While MMTC is likely to bring its expertise in mineral trading and mining into the venture, Tatas would infuse cash to help the SPV to place aggressive bids for mining rights. The joint sector SPV is being conceived on the lines of a coal SPV formed in collaboration with five PSUs including SAIL and NTPC.