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LMEWEEK-Copper producer Aurubis to avoid takeovers, reconstruct trust, brand-new CEO states

Europe's biggest copper manufacturer Aurubis will avoid takeovers and focus on internal tasks for the next 2 years as it seeks to rebuild the trust of its stakeholders after a rough duration, its brand-new CEO stated on Tuesday.

The business was rocked by a scandal in 2015 when its copper was stolen by an organised criminal offense ring and recently it alerted financiers of weaker earnings next .

Chief Executive Toralf Haag, who assumed his post one month ago, stated the company would concentrate on executing its 1.7 billion euro ($ 1.9 billion) capital expenditure program, which consists of a brand-new recycling plant in the United States.

For the next two years we'll concentrate on our internal projects and the implementation of our major capex programme, he said in an interview during industry event London Metal Exchange Week.

After that we might look at more expansion, either through M&A or structure even more recycling plants, Haag said.

Another top priority is to acquire back the trust from our stakeholders.

Aurubis introduced a new recycling plant in the U.S. state of Georgia last month, but it would take up until the 2026/27 financial year to reach complete production of 70,000 metric loads a year of blister copper.

Haag stated he anticipated an enhancement in spot treatment charges, fees paid to smelters for converting concentrate to metal, throughout the course of next year.

Smelters have dealt with severe scarcities this year and spot treatment charges turned negative in April for the very first time considering that 2013, according to rate rating agency Fastmarkets.

Aurubis will be affected by anticipated low treatment charges for calendar year 2025, however it did not have difficulty in sourcing raw materials since it had long-lasting supply deals in location, Haag said.

Haag stated there were no new advancements when asked about a. report in June in a German organization publication that significant. investor Salzgitter had formerly checked out the. possibility of obtaining more shares in Aurubis.

German steel group Salzgitter holds a 29.9% stake in. Aurubis.

We did not have any conversations with Salzgitter and we do. not see any new advancements, Haag said.

When asked about the stance of Aurubis if Salzgitter was. thinking about increasing its stake or getting the business,. Haag said: We would have to be neutral, we have to do what's. best for our investors.

(source: Reuters)