potash

A prolonged dispute could have disrupted shipments of a range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

A prolonged dispute could disrupt shipments of a wide range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

The proposal would have required Anglo American to spin off two South African units, Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore, as BHP sought to focus on copper, coking coal used in steel production and potash, a widely used fertilizer.

The combination would also increase BHP’s holdings of potash, a widely used fertilizer, and coking coal used in steel production.

BHP said the deal would boost its presence in the copper market, which is seeing demand soar amid the shift towards clean energy, as well as giving it greater access to potash, and coking coal in Australia.