LONDON (Reuters) - Glencore said trade barriers are its “foremost risk”, but climate, political, legal and other potential dangers have become more pressing for the mining and trading group. The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar, Switzerland, July 18, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Glencore’s annual report published on Friday said it was seeking to mitigate its risks through conservative spending and strict compliance after it said in February it would limit its coal capacity. Risk is high on the agenda for mining companies after the Vale dam burst in Brazil in January provided a stark reminder of the potential dangers. Campaigning investors welcomed Glencore’s increased recognition of climate risk and the cap on the most polluting fossil fuel by the world’s biggest shipper of seaborne coal. “It’s good to see Glencore finally responding somewhat to the very real and imminent threat posed by our climate crisis,” Christian Aid’s Senior Private Sector Advisor said, adding it was critical Glencore delivered on its commitments. Glencore, which operates in countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, is viewed by analysts as having a high risk appetite. While this can drive profits, its share price has underperformed its peers as political risk has risen to the fore and as investors shun coal. On Friday, Glencore’s share price was 0.5 percent higher by 1333 GMT, adding to gains of nearly 5 percent this year. Trade barriers, Glencore said, “could reduce demand for certain of our commodities or restrict our supplies”, while on market volatility, significant falls, especially in copper, coal or zinc would have “a severe drag on our financial performance”. Commodity price risk is perennial, but other concerns rose last year, especially in Congo, where Glencore mines the copper and cobalt that are increasingly needed for electric vehicles and electrification to reduce greenhouse gases. It has said it is ready to negotiate with the new government following elections at the end of last year as it and other miners seek better terms than laid out in a new 2018 mining code. Glencore is also subject to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation related to its activities in Congo. Faced with the rising risks, Glencore said it was keeping spending at “controllable levels” to provide a buffer and help it maintain a strong investment grade credit rating. It has also set up an ethics committee and is monitoring climate risk, although it regards coal, which remains in demand from Asia in particular, as an opportunity as well as a risk because its assets are high quality and can command a premium. Reporting by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Alexander Smith
Glencore has cited trade barriers as the biggest risk to its business, followed by climate, politics and legal issues, according to its latest 2018 report. The Swiss-based trading and mining company said it would counteract this risk with cautious spending and stringent compliance. Glencore warned trade barriers could lead to a fall in demand for its commodities or limit its supplies while falling copper, coal or zinc prices would impact its financial performance. Glencore mines copper and cobalt for electric vehicles in Congo and is awaiting a stable government to form before attempting to secure better mining terms.