Regulatory News:
• ArcelorMittal accepts the PEAMCoal offer for Macarthur Coal
• ArcelorMittal to remain a shareholder of PEAMCoal for a further 90
days
• Unconditional PEAMCoal offer for Macarthur remains on track
ArcelorMittal (NYST:MT) today provided notice to Peabody Energy (NYSE:
BTU) that, in accordance with the Co-Operation and Contribution
Agreement between the two companies, following its acceptance of
PEAMCoal Pty Ltd’s offer for Macarthur Coal Ltd (ASX: MCC) yesterday, it
has terminated the Co-Operation and Contribution Agreement as provided
for therein. ArcelorMittal will remain a shareholder in PEAMCoal until
the termination arrangements are completed which is expected to be in
approximately 90 days’ time.
In taking this decision, ArcelorMittal has determined that it would no
longer be appropriate to allocate substantial capital to the acquisition
of a non-controlling, minority business interest. This is in accordance
with the rights that ArcelorMittal originally negotiated with Peabody at
the time the Co-Operation and Contribution Agreement was concluded.
Given the unanticipated level of acceptances into the offer,
ArcelorMittal believes that it is more appropriate to focus its capital
elsewhere in its business. ArcelorMittal considers that the capital
commitment that would be required to retain its Macarthur interest and
grow it materially further, exceeds what is appropriate to allocate to a
business that ArcelorMittal does not fully control and consolidate.
The unconditional PEAMCoal offer for Macarthur will not be affected by
ArcelorMittal’s acceptance and will remain open until 7:00 p.m.
(Brisbane time) on 11 November 2011 unless extended. ArcelorMittal will
continue to perform its funding obligations to PEAMCoal until the
termination takes effect as described in section 10.2(f) of PEAMCoal’s
Bidder’s Statement for Macarthur.
Forward Looking Statement
This document contains forward-looking information and statements
about ArcelorMittal and its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements may
be identified by the words "will," "believe," "expect" or similar
expressions. Although ArcelorMittal's management believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, investors and holders of ArcelorMittal's securities are
cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict
and generally beyond the control of ArcelorMittal, that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially and adversely from
those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking
information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those
discussed or identified in the filings with the Luxembourg Stock Market
Authority for the Financial Markets (Commission de Surveillance du
Secteur Financier) and the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") made or to be made by ArcelorMittal, including
ArcelorMittal's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31
December, 2010 filed with the SEC. ArcelorMittal undertakes no
obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading integrated steel and mining
company, with operations in more than 60 countries. In 2010,
ArcelorMittal had revenues of US$78 billion and crude steel production
of 90.6 million tonnes, representing approximately 6% of world steel
output. ArcelorMittal’s mining operations produced 47 million tonnes of
iron ore and 7 million tonnes of metallurgical coal as well in 2010. For
more information about ArcelorMittal visit: www.arcelormittal.com.
