SYDNEY — South32 could be among the first to buy assets placed on the block this week by SA’s Anglo American, with the Australian company saying it is interested in its manganese unit.The two companies share a manganese mining and smelting business located in Australia and SA, with Anglo American owning 40% of the division.RBC last year valued South32’s stake in manganese at about $1.8bn, although that was before the metal halved in price."As a JV (joint venture) partner with a deep understanding of their value, we would be a buyer if the price is right," a South32 spokeswoman said, confirming a report in the Sydney Morning Herald website.News of the interest from South32, the diversified minerals group spun out of BHP Billiton last year, comes as Anglo American turns to widespread divestment to shore up a heavily indebted balance sheet.South32 indicated negotiations had already started to acquire Anglo American’s manganese business."We have a good relationship with our joint ventur...
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