Eramet seeks buyers for lithium and nickel stakes to cut debt
2026-11-12 10:01:55 [Print]
French mining group Eramet has announced plans to sell a minority stake in Argentina's Centenario-Ratones lithium project and part of its 38.7% interest in Indonesia's Weda Bay Nickel. The asset sales are intended to restore the company's balance sheet after net debt reached EUR 1.94 billion in 2025, following falling metal prices and operational disruptions.
Backed by a EUR 500 million rights issue supported by the French state and a US$71 million sale of its Arizaro lithium concessions, Eramet aims to reduce its adjusted debt-to-earnings ratio below three by year-end. The company expects 2026 adjusted EBITDA of between EUR 540 million and EUR 610 million.
Eramet has maintained a presence in Indonesia for about two decades. The government slashed WBN's production quota earlier this year, forcing it to halt operations. The quota was later lifted in a mid-year revision. Before the cuts, WBN was the world's largest nickel mine, producing 42 million tons of ore. Its other shareholders are Chinese stainless steel conglomerate Tsingshan Holding Group Co. and Indonesian state miner PT Antam Persero.
Centenario reached full production last month, with plans targeting 20,000 to 24,000 tons of lithium carbonate in 2027.
Backed by a EUR 500 million rights issue supported by the French state and a US$71 million sale of its Arizaro lithium concessions, Eramet aims to reduce its adjusted debt-to-earnings ratio below three by year-end. The company expects 2026 adjusted EBITDA of between EUR 540 million and EUR 610 million.
Eramet has maintained a presence in Indonesia for about two decades. The government slashed WBN's production quota earlier this year, forcing it to halt operations. The quota was later lifted in a mid-year revision. Before the cuts, WBN was the world's largest nickel mine, producing 42 million tons of ore. Its other shareholders are Chinese stainless steel conglomerate Tsingshan Holding Group Co. and Indonesian state miner PT Antam Persero.
Centenario reached full production last month, with plans targeting 20,000 to 24,000 tons of lithium carbonate in 2027.
Lithium Carbonate 99.2%min Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt
China‘s lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide producers' output statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
