Mercuria, South African firms place bids for South32’s SAEC coal mines

Seriti Resources and a consortium backed by global energy trader Mercuria are among up to six groups to have submitted final bids for the South African coal assets of South32, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. A consortium backed by South African miner Exxaro Resources dropped out of the race due to competition issues as the firm is already a major coal producer and supplier to state-owned power utility Eskom, three sources said.