Glencore is poised for a significant year of cash returns in 2027, driven by planned multi-billion-dollar asset sales and strong trading performance, according to statements by the company’s chief executive, Gary Nagle. Speaking at a private investor meeting hosted by Goldman Sachs last week, Nagle outlined the commodities giant’s strategy to streamline its asset portfolio and capitalize on volatile market conditions.

The London-listed, Switzerland-based miner is advancing negotiations to divest stakes in key assets located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kazakhstan. One of the potential deals involves selling a 40 percent interest in its DRC holdings to Orion CMC, a group formed by private equity firm Orion Resource Partners in collaboration with the U.S. government. The DRC assets, which are estimated to be valued at around $9 billion including debt, have not yet been finalized, with a decision anticipated by early next year.

Separately, Glencore is in discussions to sell its controlling stake in Kazzinc, a zinc and gold producer based in Kazakhstan, to a local investor. This transaction could be concluded within the next two months and is valued by analysts at up to $5 billion. These disposals form part of Glencore’s broader effort to focus its business on core operations, a move that analysts suggest could also make the company a more attractive partner for potential mergers or acquisitions. Glencore previously engaged in merger talks with rival Rio Tinto, though those discussions dissolved earlier this year.

In addition to the asset sales, Nagle said Glencore is poised to report trading profits exceeding $5 billion when it releases its full-year results for 2026, second only to the record levels experienced in 2022. The company’s traders have benefited from significant market volatility, contributing to strong earnings prospects.

Nagle also highlighted plans to expand the Collahuasi copper mine in northern Chile, a joint venture with Anglo American and Mitsui. The expansion could be funded through an infrastructure project involving a desalination plant, indicating Glencore’s interest in sustainable resource management.

Furthermore, Glencore intends to gradually reduce its 16 percent stake in Bunge Global, a major agribusiness group valued at nearly $20 billion. Nagle indicated that the company does not expect to retain these shares five years from now, with sovereign wealth funds and industrial operators showing interest in acquiring the position.

Glencore announced in September it had set aside a provision related to its exposure to Radiant World, an iron ore company involved in fraud allegations and legal proceedings in Singapore. The provision, estimated at under $500 million, is not expected to have a material impact on Glencore’s financial statements.