How Mergers in Mining Reshape the Workforce: Risks and Opportunities
Introduction
Mergers and acquisitions have become a critical strategy in the mining industry, driven by the need for operational efficiency, resource consolidation, and market positioning. While these transactions create growth opportunities, they also result in workforce restructuring, affecting employees at multiple levels.
As a specialized recruitment agency in mining, Intelligenciia has directly supported clients and candidates through the complex transitions that follow mergers and acquisitions. Our expertise in senior and executive recruitment gives us a unique perspective on how these deals impact workforce strategy at the leadership level, as well as within key technical disciplines. This blog examines the likely outcomes of mergers and acquisitions, identifying which roles are at risk, where new opportunities arise, and how companies can strategically manage workforce transitions (1,2,3).
Major Mining Mergers and Acquisitions in the Americas (2024 to 2025)
The past year has seen significant consolidation as mining companies position themselves for growth. Some of the most notable transactions include:
In October 2024, Rio Tinto acquired Arcadium Lithium for 6.7 billion dollars, strengthening its lithium supply for battery production. Arcadium, formed from the merger of Livent and Allkem, operates across various stages of lithium production and is planning to significantly increase its annual output (4).
Also in October 2024, Coeur Mining acquired SilverCrest Metals in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately 1.7 billion dollars. This deal enhances Coeur's silver and gold production, particularly through the high-grade, low-cost Las Chispas Mine in Mexico (5).
In July 2024, BHP and Lundin Mining jointly acquired Filo Corp. for three billion dollars, securing ownership of the Filo del Sol copper-gold-silver project located on the Argentine-Chilean border. This move aligns with both companies’ strategies to expand their presence in South America (6).
That same month, Glencore completed the acquisition of Elk Valley Resources for nine billion dollars, significantly expanding its metallurgical coal operations in Canada. The acquisition increased Glencore’s coal reserves by over 30 percent, with the mines expected to remain operational well beyond 2050 (7).
Newmont Corporation pursued a different approach by divesting non-core assets throughout 2024:
Éléonore Mine in Quebec was sold for 795 million dollars.
Porcupine Operation in Ontario was sold for up to 425 million dollars.
Musselwhite Mine in Ontario was sold for up to 850 million dollars.
Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine in Colorado was sold to SSR Mining Inc. (8).
These transactions reflect different strategies, with some companies streamlining their portfolios while others focus on acquiring assets in lithium, copper, and gold to meet the growing demand for critical minerals.
The Outlook for Mergers and Acquisitions in Mining
The pace of mergers and acquisitions in mining is expected to remain strong in the coming years. Several key factors will continue to drive industry consolidation.
Rising Demand for Critical Minerals: The global energy transition has created an unprecedented demand for lithium, copper, and rare earth elements. Large mining companies are aggressively acquiring assets to secure long-term supply.
High Capital Costs for New Mines: Developing a new mine requires billions in investment and extensive regulatory approvals. Mergers allow companies to expand their reserves without the time and cost associated with building from scratch.
ESG Pressures and Decarbonization Goals: Investors and governments are pushing for cleaner mining operations. Companies that acquire established mines with lower carbon footprints can accelerate their environmental commitments while meeting stricter regulations.
Economic Uncertainty and Interest Rates: Volatile commodity prices and high borrowing costs are making smaller and mid-sized mining companies attractive acquisition targets for larger firms with strong balance sheets.
Given these trends, industry experts predict that more deals will emerge, particularly in copper, lithium, and gold mining. Companies that position themselves strategically will have the greatest advantage in the evolving landscape (9,10,11).
Impact of M&As on Mining Jobs
Corporate and Administrative Roles: The Highest Risk of Layoffs
Mergers and acquisitions often lead to redundancies at the corporate level, where companies consolidate executive teams and back-office functions. After a recent transaction, Newmont eliminated multiple senior management roles to streamline operations (12).
Support functions such as human resources, finance, and information technology are also frequently affected. When two companies integrate, overlapping roles are usually eliminated to reduce costs (13).
Project-Level Employees: Stability with Some Risks
Mining operations remain critical post-merger, meaning site-based roles such as engineers, geologists, and equipment operators tend to be less affected in the short term. However, some restructuring may lead to changes in reporting structures, work schedules, or project priorities.
Even operational roles are not immune to downturns. In 2013, the geology sector saw a 20 percent job loss rate within just three months (14).
Opportunities for Specialists in Emerging Roles
Mergers and acquisitions do not always result in job losses. Many transactions are driven by a need for new technological capabilities, automation, and ESG compliance. Mining firms that modernize their operations will require more specialists in digital transformation and sustainability (15).
How Intelligenciia Supports Mining Professionals During M&As
With direct experience in senior and executive-level recruitment, Intelligenciia has been a key resource for both mining companies and technical professionals navigating workforce changes during mergers and acquisitions.
For companies, we provide strategic workforce planning, leadership hiring, and restructuring support, ensuring that key roles are filled efficiently and that top talent remains engaged post-merger.
For candidates, we help mining executives, engineers, and technical specialists transition into new opportunities, offering insight into how industry changes impact career trajectories.
If you are a mining professional affected by an acquisition or a company looking to adapt your workforce strategy post-merger, reach out to Intelligenciia. Our expertise ensures a seamless transition for both employers and employees in this evolving industry.
References:
"Global Mining M&A Activity Surges," The Wall Street Journal.
"Why Miners Are Consolidating," Financial Times.
"Mergers and ESG Compliance in Mining," Mining Weekly.
"Rio Tinto Buys Arcadium Lithium," Le Monde.
"Coeur Mining Acquires SilverCrest Metals," Reuters.
"BHP and Lundin's Acquisition of Filo," Financial Times.
"Glencore Completes EVR Acquisition," Bloomberg.
"Newmont's Asset Sales Strategy," Business Wire.
"Future of M&As in Mining," PwC.
"Trends in Mining Consolidation," McKinsey & Company.
"Demand for Critical Minerals and M&As," Deloitte Insights.
"Newmont Cuts Senior Leadership After Merger," Reuters.
"The Impact of M&As on Mining Engineers," CIM Magazine.
"Geologist Job Losses During Industry Downturns," Mining.com.
"Emerging Jobs in Mining Tech & ESG," McKinsey & Company.