I suspect MIN will, to a fair extent, copy FMG's strategy re blending and beneficiation at AGO, they will have the capital to do so. MIN have the capital to acquire deposits where they assist with this. MIN, from memory, constructed and operated the Christmas Creek processing plants for FMG until around Jan 2014. You might suspect that FMG bought MIN out partly as they wanted to keep the lid on their blending and beneficiation strategy. The buyout was at the peak stripping ratio of about 3.3x. After that it fell over about two years to around 1x.
If they can/do copy FMG a bit, that might put a bit of extra pressure on FMG margins, with the lower quality ore already in relative oversupply. But would also get a better return out of AGO's assets.
On the other hand, FMG could make a counter-offer for AGO, if it helps them stop more low quality ore being marketed over time, which could again further lower relative price realisation against FMG's best interests. There would probably be some low hanging fruit for integration as well. RIO and BHP might also look at AGO - who knows?
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