Swiss commodities giant Glencore posted Thursday a 40.7 percent jump in 2010 net profit to $3.8 billion.

"/> Swiss commodities giant Glencore posted Thursday a 40.7 percent jump in 2010 net profit to $3.8 billion.

" />
SHARE
COPY LINK

GLENCORE

Big profit jump for Glencore

Swiss commodities giant Glencore posted Thursday a 40.7 percent jump in 2010 net profit to $3.8 billion.

Swiss commodities giant Glencore posted Thursday a 40.7 percent jump in 2010 net profit to $3.8 billion (€2.7 billion), reflecting strong demand for metals and minerals.
 

Revenues were up 36.3 percent at $145 billion, it said in a statement.
 

“Glencore reported a strong performance in 2010, mainly reflecting an improved commodity environment for metals and minerals,” it said.
 

The two commodities segments “benefited from stronger metals prices and improving market sentiment in important end-user industries such as automotive and construction.”
 

The hydrocarbons market meanwhile contributed less to growth than in 2009.
 

“Oil commodity marketing was subdued in an unusually stable price environment characterised by surplus refinery capacity and a weak freight market,” it said.
 

The group, which held $79.8 billion worth of assets at the end of 2010, did not divulge any information about plans for any stock market listing.
 

Recent press reports have suggested the company was planning a share listing in both London and Hong Kong exchanges, with a quarter of Glencore said to be worth $12 billion.
 

The Swiss group was in discussions with Qatari investors on the issue, the Financial Times reported Monday.
 

When contacted by AFP, Glencore declined to comment on the issue.

GLENCORE

At least 19 illegal miners killed at subsidiary of Swiss-based Glencore

At least 19 illegal miners were killed on Thursday after part of a copper mine collapsed in southeastern DR Congo, Swiss-based mining giant Glencore said.

At least 19 illegal miners killed at subsidiary of Swiss-based Glencore
Photo: AFP

The incident happened when two galleries caved in at a mine in the Kolwezi area operated by Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a subsidiary of Glencore.

“Tragically there were 19 fatalities today, with possible further unconfirmed fatalities,” Glencore said in a statement, which said there had been recurrent problems with illicit mining on its concessions.

Other reports suggest the death toll could be higher. 

The Congolese site Actualite.CD reported at least 36 deaths.

“The illegal artisanal miners were working two galleries in benches overlooking the extraction area. Two of these galleries caved in,” the company said.

Glencore said KCC had observed a “growing presence” of illegal miners, with on average 2,000 people a day intruding on its operating sites.

“KCC urges all illegal miners to cease from putting their lives at risk by trespassing on a major industrial site,” Glencore said.

Illegal mining is common and frequently deadly in Democratic Republic of Congo, where safety is often poor and risk-taking high.

Figures indicating the scale of the problem are sketchy, given that many mines are illegal and remote.

SHOW COMMENTS