Coal King Bumi Resources Strikes $52 Million Deal to Acquire Australia’s Loyal Metals in Major Pivot to Copper and Gold

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — PT Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI), Indonesia’s largest thermal coal producer, is making an aggressive move into the global metals market. The company has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed to acquire 100% of Loyal Metals Ltd., an Australian resource exploration firm, for an all-cash consideration of 0.45 Australlian dollar per share,valuing the company a tapproximately 79.1 million Australlian dollar ($51.8 million).

This deal signals a critical turning point for Bumi Resources as it seeks to de-risk its portfolio from a heavy reliance on thermal coal. By acquiring Loyal Metals, BUMI gains immediate access to the "green metal" supercycle, specifically through copper and lithium assets essential for the global energy transition. For investors, this is a clear sign that Indonesia’s commodity titans are using their massive cash reserves to buy their way into the future of tech-driven mineral discovery.

Expansion into Tier-1 Jurisdictions

The acquisition hands BUMI control over a diverse portfolio of exploration projects in high-stability regions, including Australia and Canada. A centerpiece of the deal is the Highway Reward Copper-Gold Project in Queensland, a site that historically produced 3.65 million metric tons of copper and approximately 260,000 ounces of gold..

Loyal Metals has also been integrating artificial intelligence into its exploration workflow to accelerate mineral discovery. "Since listing the Company in 2021 we have always focused on our mission of delivering value for our shareholders," said Peretz Schapiro, Founder and Chairman of Loyal Metals, in a statement on Monday. He added, "We are glad to have delivered for our loyal shareholders."

Funding and Financial Strength

BUMI intends to fund the $52 million acquisition through its existing cash reserves and available financing facilities. As of late 2025, the Indonesian group maintained an unrestricted cash balance of roughly $118.6 million, providing ample liquidity for the transaction.

The offer price of 0.45 Australlian dollar per share represents a significant 49.6% premium to the 10-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of Loyal shares as of April 24, 2026.

The Road to Implementation

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including a 75% approval vote from Loyal shareholders at a meeting scheduled for early August 2026. It also requires the green light from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

The Board of Loyal Metals has already unanimously recommended the proposal. Major shareholders controlling approximately 28.6% of the company have already undertaken to vote in favor of the scheme, signaling strong support for BUMI's takeover.