MINEX Forum

Tag: M&A

  • Kazakh Investor Shakhmurat Mutalip Emerges as Leading Bidder for Yuzhuralzoloto

    Kazakh Investor Shakhmurat Mutalip Emerges as Leading Bidder for Yuzhuralzoloto

    Kazakh businessman Shakhmurat Mutalip has emerged as a leading contender to acquire the nationalised Russian gold mining group Yuzhuralzoloto (YUGK), according to media reports, as Moscow prepares to auction the asset in the coming weeks.

    The company, previously controlled by businessman and former politician Konstantin Strukov, was transferred to state ownership in 2025 following a legal case related to anti-corruption violations. The Russian Ministry of Finance has indicated that the sale of a controlling stake of approximately 67% could take place as early as March 2026.

    Mutalip, 35, is considered one of the fastest-rising business figures in Kazakhstan. He began his career in industry in 2008 and later became the beneficiary of Integra Construction KZ, a major construction group that has grown into one of the country’s leading companies by assets and tax contributions.

    In recent years, Mutalip has expanded his interests into the mining sector and has been linked to several major deals involving strategic assets. These include a potential acquisition of a 70% stake in Kazzinc from Glencore, estimated at up to $4.5 billion, and a possible 40% stake in Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), valued at around $1.4 billion. He has also been associated with interest in other mining assets, including Altynalmas.

    If completed, these transactions could position Mutalip as a major player in Kazakhstan’s non-ferrous and precious metals sector. His business structures, including entities registered in the Astana International Financial Centre, reflect growing ambitions in metallurgy and critical minerals.

    Analysts note that Mutalip has built strong commercial ties between Kazakhstan and Russia, particularly in the context of sanctions, facilitating industrial cooperation and access to financing. His companies are reportedly supported by major Russian banks and maintain relationships with global commodity traders.

    His candidacy for Yuzhuralzoloto is viewed as strategically consistent, given his growing presence in the gold sector and ability to operate across jurisdictions. Market observers suggest that the sale could reflect a broader trend of asset redistribution toward investors capable of maintaining operational continuity amid geopolitical uncertainty.

    The outcome of the auction is expected to be closely watched as an indicator of shifting ownership patterns in the region’s mining industry.

  • Central Asia Resources Holding to Acquire 100% of Altynalmas Gold Producer

    Central Asia Resources Holding to Acquire 100% of Altynalmas Gold Producer

    Central Asia Resources Holding Ltd., owned by businessman Shakhmurat Mutalip, has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Kazakhstan’s gold mining company Altynalmas, including all of its subsidiaries, according to the company.

    The transaction, the completion date of which has not yet been disclosed, will result in Central Asia Resources Holding obtaining full control over the group. The deal предусматривает the buyout of stakes held by all nine shareholders of Altynalmas. The largest shareholder, Dutch-registered Gouden Reserves B.V., currently holds more than 66% of the company.

    In a statement, representatives of Mutalip described the acquisition as a key step in the holding’s long-term investment strategy. They noted that Altynalmas represents a well-established asset with a strong production base, experienced management team, and significant growth potential. The new owner intends to maintain operational stability, ensure continuity in management, and uphold all social commitments in the regions where the company operates.

    The seller’s side also welcomed the transaction, stating that the transfer of ownership to a strategic investor focused on long-term development would support the company’s sustainable growth and strengthen its position within the industry.

    As of 1 January 2026, Altynalmas’ major shareholders included Gouden Reserves B.V. with approximately 66.8% and Vladimir Dzhumanbayev with around 22.8%. The company reported a profit of 260 billion tenge for the first nine months of 2025, generated from revenue of 618 billion tenge.

    Shakhmurat Mutalip is also the beneficiary of construction company Integra Construction KZ and has been linked to several potential крупные сделки in Kazakhstan’s mining sector. These include possible acquisitions of stakes in Kazzinc and Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). According to media reports, financing for such transactions could involve Glencore, which is seeking to secure access to metals from Kazakhstan. The combined value of potential deals involving ERG and Kazzinc has been estimated at $4.9 billion.

    The acquisition of Altynalmas underscores growing consolidation in Kazakhstan’s mining industry and highlights increasing investor interest in strategic mineral assets.

  • Turkey’s Gokirmak Copper Mine Put Under Review as Owners Sound Out Buyers

    Turkey’s Gokirmak Copper Mine Put Under Review as Owners Sound Out Buyers

    The shareholders behind Turkey’s largest open-pit copper operation have begun exploring a potential sale, capitalising on a strong rally in copper prices, according to people familiar with the process.

    The owners — Akfen Holding AS, Ilbak Holding AS and Bacaci Yatirim Holding AS — have appointed Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to advise on a possible divestment of Acacia Mining Enterprises Inc., which operates the Gokirmak copper mine in Kastamonu province in northern Turkey. The mandate includes assessing interest in either a partial stake sale or a full exit, the sources said.

    Market participants indicate that the shareholders are seeking valuations of up to $1 billion for the entire asset, although pricing expectations could shift depending on demand and market conditions. The sale process remains confidential, and there is no certainty that a transaction will proceed.

    Copper has climbed sharply over the past year, supported by tightening global supply, disruptions at key mining operations, and accelerating demand linked to electrification, renewable energy and grid infrastructure. Prices recently pushed above $13,000 per tonne, reinforcing investor appetite for large-scale producing assets.

    Acacia Mining Enterprises holds an estimated 24 million tonnes of copper-ore reserves and produces roughly 120,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year, according to disclosures by Ilbak Holding. Export revenues from the operation totaled $265 million in 2024, based on the latest figures from Turkey’s Chamber of Industry.

    Goldman Sachs declined to comment on its role, while the shareholder groups did not respond to requests for comment.

  • Polymetal Int Recommends Dividend Waiver and Name Change to Solidcore Resources plc

    Polymetal Int Recommends Dividend Waiver and Name Change to Solidcore Resources plc

    Polymetal Int’s management has proposed that shareholders refrain from receiving dividend payments for the previous year and has suggested approving a change in the organization’s name to Solidcore Resources plc, as reported by the gold miner’s press center. The disposal of the company’s assets in Russia facilitated debt reduction and increased liquidity. However, it is highlighted that further investments of over $1 billion will be required for prospective projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, such as the construction of the Irtysh Hydrometallurgical Plant and M&A activities. Despite these initiatives, challenges remain as geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions are unstable, and access to key sources of debt financing is limited. It is worth noting that Polymetal was officially registered in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2023 following the sale of its Russian business in early spring of the same year. In the 12 months of 2023, the Kazakh metals producer witnessed a 10% decrease in gold equivalent output to 15,116 tons (486 thousand ounces).
    Excerpt: Polymetal Int suggests shareholders forgo dividends and approve a name change to Solidcore Resources plc for strategic reasons.