JSW Steel’s Mozambique Coal Deal Faces Legal Setback
COAL & MINING

JSW Steel’s Mozambique Coal Deal Faces Legal Setback

India’s largest steelmaker, JSW Steel Ltd., has been sidetracked by a legal dispute that has halted its plans to acquire a coal concession in Mozambique. The deal to purchase Minas de Revuboè (MdR) from the estate of Australian tycoon Ken Talbot, who passed away 14 years ago, has been thrown into uncertainty after the Mozambican government revoked MdR's coal mining lease, valued at around $50 billion.

JSW Steel, led by Sajjan Jindal, had agreed in May to acquire a 92% stake in MdR for $74 million as part of a broader investment plan. However, two months after the lease revocation, the Mozambican Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy published a notice offering a 30-day period for objections to awarding the coal concession to Stonecoal SA, a company with close ties to the Jindal family.

Four of Stonecoal's five directors are employed by Naveen Jindal's JSW Steel & Power Ltd. (JSPL), though Stonecoal’s representatives have denied any direct connection to the company, stating the efforts were made in a personal capacity.

The dispute comes at a crucial moment for Mozambique, which is grappling with civil unrest following disputed elections. It also complicates the efforts of JSW Steel, which had hoped to secure the coal mine as part of its strategy to meet the growing demand for key materials, like coking coal, for steel production.

JSW Steel and the Talbot estate are challenging the revocation in arbitration, seeking to restore the original lease and finalize the sale. The case is being overseen by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, with a tribunal hearing expected in early 2025. The outcome could have significant implications for the Jindals’ mining interests and the broader Mozambican mining sector.

India’s largest steelmaker, JSW Steel Ltd., has been sidetracked by a legal dispute that has halted its plans to acquire a coal concession in Mozambique. The deal to purchase Minas de Revuboè (MdR) from the estate of Australian tycoon Ken Talbot, who passed away 14 years ago, has been thrown into uncertainty after the Mozambican government revoked MdR's coal mining lease, valued at around $50 billion. JSW Steel, led by Sajjan Jindal, had agreed in May to acquire a 92% stake in MdR for $74 million as part of a broader investment plan. However, two months after the lease revocation, the Mozambican Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy published a notice offering a 30-day period for objections to awarding the coal concession to Stonecoal SA, a company with close ties to the Jindal family. Four of Stonecoal's five directors are employed by Naveen Jindal's JSW Steel & Power Ltd. (JSPL), though Stonecoal’s representatives have denied any direct connection to the company, stating the efforts were made in a personal capacity. The dispute comes at a crucial moment for Mozambique, which is grappling with civil unrest following disputed elections. It also complicates the efforts of JSW Steel, which had hoped to secure the coal mine as part of its strategy to meet the growing demand for key materials, like coking coal, for steel production. JSW Steel and the Talbot estate are challenging the revocation in arbitration, seeking to restore the original lease and finalize the sale. The case is being overseen by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, with a tribunal hearing expected in early 2025. The outcome could have significant implications for the Jindals’ mining interests and the broader Mozambican mining sector.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Reliance, Diehl Advance Pact for Precision-Guided Munitions

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch and Reliance Group’s Founder Chairman Anil D. Ambani have held discussions to advance their ongoing strategic partnership focused on Guided and Terminally Guided Munitions (TGM), under a cooperation agreement originally signed in 2019.This collaboration underscores Diehl Defence’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and its support for the Indian Government’s Make in India initiative. The partnership’s current emphasis is on the urgent supply of the Vulcano 155mm Precision Guided Munition system to the Indian Armed Forces.Simultaneously, the “Vulc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Modis Navnirman to Migrate to Main Board, Merge Subsidiary

Modis Navnirman Limited has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a key strategic initiative involving migration from the BSE SME platform to the Main Board of both BSE and NSE, alongside a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary, Shree Modis Navnirman Private Limited.The move to the main boards marks a major milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, reflecting its consistent financial performance, robust corporate governance, and long-term commitment to value creation. This transition will grant the company access to a broader investor base, improve market participation, en..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Global Capital Flows Remain Subdued, EMEA Leads in Q1 2025

The Bharat InvITs Association’s industry update for Q1 2025 shows subdued global capital flows, with investment volumes remaining at the lower end of the five-year range despite a late 2024 recovery. According to data from Colliers and MSCI Real Capital Analytics, activity in North America declined slightly, while EMEA maintained steady levels and emerged as the top region for investment in standing assets.The EMEA region now hosts seven of the top ten cross-border capital destinations for standing assets, pushing the United States’ share of global activity below 15 per cent. Meanwhile, in..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?