Anglo American recently put up their US$1 billion niobium and phosphate business up for sale. Sa move that would most likely set off a domino effect that ends in their complete withdrawal from Brazil. The mines currently under the most threat from closing down are the Barro Alto nickel mine and the Minas-Rio iron ore complex. The Barro Alto mine, purchased for over US$5 billion has been embroiled in supply shortages and production delays since it opened.

The Minas-Rio iron ore complex ran relatively smoother, but the cost of acquiring it, US$4.6 billion, in addition to production costs rising up to US$8.8 billion might lead to their sale as well.

The potential exit follows the company’s complete withdrawal from The Middle-East amidst challenging economic times. Chief executive Mark Cutifani had earlier revealed restructuring plans that included layoffs for more than 80,000 of their total workforce.