Anglo American has scrapped plans to offer its top executives substantial bonuses if a $50 billion mega-merger with Canadian miner Teck Resources goes through after investors raised concerns. The move comes as shareholders vote on the proposed deal, which would create a copper-producing giant and marks one of the largest mergers in the mining sector.
The plan had been designed to incentivize senior executives by offering them significant share bonuses worth millions of dollars if the merger was completed. However, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had previously recommended investors vote in favor of the deal but expressed concerns over the proposed variable incentives linked to transaction completion.
Instead, Anglo American has decided to engage further with investors on director pay before its annual general meeting next year. The company cited a need for "full alignment" between its pay structures and the success of the merger, as well as wanting to support the retention of senior management during a period of significant change.
The decision follows a backlash from several influential voices, including ISS, which deemed the high proposed payout "not considered good practice". Anglo American's shares have slipped 0.9% in early trading on Monday but remain up by more than 40% so far this year.
The mega-merger is seen as a multibillion-dollar bet on the global copper market, with copper playing a crucial role in low-carbon technologies such as solar farms and electric cars. The deal would make Anglo American one of the largest copper producers in the world if approved.
The plan had been designed to incentivize senior executives by offering them significant share bonuses worth millions of dollars if the merger was completed. However, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had previously recommended investors vote in favor of the deal but expressed concerns over the proposed variable incentives linked to transaction completion.
Instead, Anglo American has decided to engage further with investors on director pay before its annual general meeting next year. The company cited a need for "full alignment" between its pay structures and the success of the merger, as well as wanting to support the retention of senior management during a period of significant change.
The decision follows a backlash from several influential voices, including ISS, which deemed the high proposed payout "not considered good practice". Anglo American's shares have slipped 0.9% in early trading on Monday but remain up by more than 40% so far this year.
The mega-merger is seen as a multibillion-dollar bet on the global copper market, with copper playing a crucial role in low-carbon technologies such as solar farms and electric cars. The deal would make Anglo American one of the largest copper producers in the world if approved.