At the CRU World Copper Summit in Chile, ACG Metals’ CEO Artem Volynets and Francisco Acuña, Metals and Mining Advisor at CRU, had a thoughtful discussion on the current investment climate in the mining sector, ACG’s growth strategy, and the long-term perspective needed to build a successful mining company.
Capital is available, if the deal is right
When asked about the widely discussed issue of limited access to capital, Artem offered a clear and confident view:
“In my experience, access to capital is not an issue because our strategy is focused on acquiring producing or near-producing mines,” he said. “Investors globally are keen to participate in such an M&A-driven strategy. As long as the deal is good, you can always find capital. As we say in our business, a good deal finances itself.”
He also highlighted the importance of creative deal structuring, mentioning that capital doesn’t just come from traditional equity or debt, alternatives like royalty and offtake financing also play a key role.
M&A as a growth strategy, focused on value creation
With M&A being a core pillar of ACG Metals’ growth strategy, Mr. Volynets emphasized that today’s more cautious industry environment is actually a competitive advantage.
“I’m very happy that the industry is more cautious, that gives us less competition,” he said.
He stressed that the key to successful M&A isn’t about pushing price negotiations but shifting the conversation toward long-term value creation. Citing a recent acquisition in Turkey, he explained how the deal was structured with a blend of cash, shares, deferred payments, and milestone-based payments designed to align interests and create long-term value for shareholders.
Geopolitics and jurisdiction: A strategic chessboard
In a world where geopolitical considerations are increasingly influencing investment decisions, Mr. Volynets acknowledged their relevance but reinforced the need for a long-term view.
“There is a lot of entertainment value in what’s happening today and what we read in the press,” he said. “I don’t think it will change fundamentally the decisions in the mining industry because those are driven by long-term horizons.”
ACG Metals is currently evaluating 10–12 opportunities across a wide range of jurisdictions, from Turkey and Eastern Europe to Africa, South America, and the United States. “Maybe we’ll have to prioritize our U.S. targets,” he added.
Balancing short-term pressure with long-term planning
While many companies are pushed to deliver short-term results for shareholders, Mr. Volynets highlighted the importance of staying committed to long-term goals.
“We have a strong shareholder base of long-term holders who are looking to work with us for the next few years,” he said. “Certainly, you have to play by the rules if you’re a public company and deliver nice, positive surprises every quarter. But I trust that our investors will believe in the implementation of our strategy—not quarter-on-quarter, but year-on-year and five years over five years.”
Looking forward
As ACG Metals continues to build its portfolio and explore new opportunities, Mr. Volynets’ remarks at the Summit underline the company’s disciplined, value-focused approach to growth. In a world where capital and competition are increasingly selective, ACG’s strategy is rooted in solid assets, strong partnerships, and a long-term vision.