Itochu to exit thermal coal business, sell stakes in mines by March 2024

Japanese trading house Itochu Corp said on Wednesday it plans to exit the thermal coal business, selling its stakes in mines in Columbia and Australia by March 2024 as it aims to promote decarbonisation.

Itochu's statement was the first confirmation from the company that it would completely withdraw from thermal coal business. It had previously said it would not invest in new stakes in thermal coal mines.

The move comes as other Japanese trading houses, including Mitsubishi Corp, offload thermal coal assets on growing concerns about the fuel's environmental impact.

Itochu's decision is broadly tied to a new three-year business strategy through March 2024. Details of the plan, including profit and dividend targets, will be unveiled in April or May, when Itochu announces earnings for the current financial year ending March 31.

Itochu currently holds a stake in the Drummond mine in Columbia, equivalent to 6 million tonnes of thermal coal output a year. It also owns stakes in two mines in Australia - Maules Creek mine, with output equivalent to 0.Asian Metal Copyright5 million tonnes a year.Asian Metal Copyright9 million tonnes a year, and Ravensworth North mine, equivalent to 1.Asian Metal CopyrightJapanese trading house Itochu Corp said on Wednesday it plans to exit the thermal coal business, selling its stakes in mines in Columbia and Australia by March 2024 as it aims to promote decarbonisation.Asian Metal Copyright5 million tonnes a year.

.Asian Metal Copyright Itochu's decision is broadly tied to a new three-year business strategy through March 2024.Asian Metal Copyright