Towards an association Minorco-Union Minière?

Abstract

For quite some time there have been rumours, both in Brussels and in London, about a possible association between Union Minière and Minorco, two of the world's leading mining TNCs.

Already in December 1981, at the time of a major restructuring of the Sociètè Gènèrale de Belgique in the field of non-ferrous metals, its leaders stated that they were looking for an international mining partner for their subsidiary Union Minière.

Before examining the repercussions of the eventual association, the actors and their historical backgrounds are described.