JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – In Wednesday's preliminary results report, Glencore CEO Gary Nagle hails 2025 as a year of significant progress, marked by a strong operational performance, continued portfolio optimisation and clear momentum for the London- and Johannesburg-listed company's copper-led growth strategy.

Glencore, which expects to be producing over one-million tonnes of copper a year by the end of 2028, is now targeting 1.6-million tonnes of copper production by 2035, supported by its enviable portfolio of highly capital-efficient copper growth options.

"Today we also announced the finalisation of the KCC land access package with Gécamines, unlocking LoM extension, productivity and cost improvements and the pathway to c.300ktpa of copper production," Nagle stated in the media release to Mining Weekly.

“For the second consecutive year, we met our guidance for full year production volumes for our key commodities, reflecting the ongoing benefits of our recently optimised and simplified operating structures promoting greater accountability and delivery. Notably, H2 2025 copper production of over 500kt was almost 50% above H1 2025, primarily due to higher copper grades and recoveries at KCC, Mutanda, Antapaccay and Antamina. 

“We continued to shape and optimise our portfolio, including the acquisition of the Quechua copper project in Peru (part of the Antapaccay district) and simplification of our asset base through the disposals of our Pasar copper smelter in the Philippines and the Puerto Nuevo coal export terminal in Colombia. We also signed a non-binding MoU to potentially sell 40% of our interests in our DRC copper and cobalt assets to the US government-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium," said Nagle.

Despite a modestly lower year-on-year adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) outcome, the underlying momentum in the second half (H2) was described as being clear.

Industrial adjusted Ebitda of $6.2-billion was 65% higher than H1, while marketing adjusted Ebit was 15% higher. Overall H2 2025 adjusted Ebitda of $8.1-billion was 49% higher than H1, reflecting higher metals prices and improved production volumes, especially of copper.

“In line with our shareholder returns framework, a 2026 base distribution of $10c/share ($1.2-billion) is calculated basis 2025 cash flows. We recognise our Bunge NYSE-listed shares as surplus capital, being warehoused for appropriate monetisation for Glencore shareholders at some point in the future. Underpinned by the value of these shares ($4.0-billion on 13 February, reflecting an increase of $1.4-billion since close of the Viterra transaction in July 25), we are recommending a top-up cash distribution of $7c/share ($0.8-billion). The aggregate cash distribution of $17c/share ($2-billion) is intended to be paid in two equal instalments, in June and September.

“Glencore’s standalone investment case is strong. Our regularly updated, illustrative annualised free cash flow generation at spot commodity prices, is currently a very healthy $7-billion. We have a well-diversified business across a range of commodities, supported by one of the best marketing franchises in the industry. We are uniquely positioned to support the energy needs of today whilst providing many of the transition-enabling commodities the world needs as demand changes.

“We remain focused on delivering on our 2026 priorities, achieving our operational targets and derisking and successfully progressing our organic production growth options, all with the objective of supporting long-term value creation for shareholders.

“As always, we remain focused on operating safely, responsibly and ethically,” Nagle added.