Sibanye liable to pay damages in failed $1.2 billion Brazilian mines deal
Recasts, leading on court statement
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 10 (Reuters) -South African miner Sibanye Stillwater SSWJ.J is liable to pay compensation to investment firm Appian Capital Advisory over the termination of a $1.2 billion deal to buy Appian's Brazilian nickel and copper mines, London's High Court ruled on Thursday.
Sibanye's shares in Johannesburg fell 7.1% by 1246 GMT.
The advisory firm lodged its compensation case against Sibanye after the Johannesburg-based precious metals producer cancelled a deal to buy the Santa Rita and Serrote mines in Brazil in January 2022.
Judge Christopher Butcher ruled that Sibanye was "under an obligation to close" the deal and had no grounds to terminate the purchase.
Appian said it would seek to recover losses from the failed deal "in full, including the significant interest that would have accrued since January 2022".
"If Sibanye cannot pay in full the damages awarded to Appian in the quantum trial, Appian will pursue all enforcement options," it said in a statement.
The statement also said the amount of compensation would be decided following a London High Court hearing in November 2025.
Sibanye in a separate statement said a trial may be needed to determine potential damages it may be required to pay to Appian.
Sibanye had announced a deal in Oct. 2021 to buy the mines that are owned by affiliates of funds advised by Appian, in what was to become its biggest foray in battery minerals.
Three months later, it abandoned the purchase, citing geotechnical instability at the Santa Rita mine, which it said would have had a material and adverse impact on future operations.
Reporting by Felix Njini and Clara Denina, Additional reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Louise Heavens and Barbara Lewis
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