Anglo American’s shareholders have approved the acquisition of a controlling stake in De Beers by an overwhelming majority.
The miner said in a statement seen by Rough & Polished that 99.94 percent of its shareholders backed the deal in a vote conducted at a general meeting held in London last Friday.
”The Board of Anglo American is delighted that our shareholders have shown overwhelming support for the De Beers transaction,” said Anglo American chairman John Parker.
“Consolidating control of De Beers, the world's leading diamond company, reinforces Anglo American's commitment to the diamond industry and to pursuing growth in those resource businesses where we have the opportunity to expand and capitalise on a favourable long term demand outlook."
Anglo-American, which currently owns a 45 percent stake in De Beers, offered the Oppenheimer family $5.1 billion last November to acquire their 40 percent stake in the diamond firm.
However, Botswana, which currently holds 15 percent of De Beers, had a pro-rata pre-emption right over the family's shares.
Reports say the southern African country was still considering its position.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
