South32 will pivot to copper and zinc after selling its aluminium business, which accounted for roughly 60% of prior earnings, CEO Matt Daly said. He said about 55% of the company's growth pipeline is in copper and zinc, with approved projects due for implementation, and that South32 is open to acquisitions but with high thresholds. The group expects around 85% of pro‑forma earnings to come from base metals, chiefly copper, as it exits downstream smelting/refining and the aluminium value chain t

South32 will pivot to copper and zinc after selling its aluminium business, which accounted for roughly 60% of prior earnings, CEO Matt Daly said. He said about 55% of the company's growth pipeline is in copper and zinc, with approved projects due for implementation, and that South32 is open to acquisitions but with high thresholds. The group expects around 85% of pro‑forma earnings to come from base metals, chiefly copper, as it exits downstream smelting/refining and the aluminium value chain to concentrate on technical capability, mine planning and processing. Management plans to prioritise its copper asset base, targeting an expansion at Chile's Sierra Gorda and commissioning the US Hermosa zinc‑copper mine next year while pursuing potential M&A.