Prudential PLC

Prudential PLC is one of the UK’s biggest insurance companies. It held 13.70% of Lonmin Plc (not to be confused with Lonrho plc) [Hemscott, 22 January 2008].

Its subsidiary, Prudential Assurance Company Ltd, also had a 4.53% stake in Lonmin plc [Hemscott, ibid]. In 2007 it was the second largest shareholder in Johnson Matthey (see Lloyds TSB).

Prudential is the biggest single shareholder (at 12.97%) in European Nickel plc, which has nickel plays in Acoje and Zambales in the Philippines as well as in Turkey and Albania.

By early 2009 Prudential the largest shareholder (12.98%) in African Minerals Ltd which has prospects in Sierra Leone [Hemscott 22 January 2009; 4 August 2009]; this was reduced to 10.02% by early 2011]. (In July 2009, African Minerals Ltd itself became the biggest shareholder (11.80%) in Baobab Resource PLC, exploring in Mozambique [Hemscott 4 August 2009]).

Prudential in 2009 was the joint second biggest equity holder in Allied Gold Ltd, a UK company embarked on a gold oxide project in Papua New Guinea (see also HSBC Global Custody Nominees) [Hemscott 12 December 2009].

In August 2010 the Prudential group held important equity stakes in the following mining and minerals companies:

• Rio Tinto (shares valued at £84,227,000)
• Xstrata (£53,392,000)
• BHP Billiton (£52,044,000)
• Anglo American (£35,295,000)
• Essar Enegry (£23,80w,000)
• First Quantum Minerals (£11,400,000)
• Ferrexpo (£8,854,000)