Our history

We are one of the largest global diversified natural resource companies in the world. Explore our history.

We were founded in 1974. Today, Glencore is one of the world’s leading diversified natural resource companies, producing and trading more than 90 commodities.

1974 - Marc Rich + Co AG is established, initially focusing on the marketing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and minerals and crude oil.

1981 - Granaria, a Dutch grain trading company acquired, which later becomes Glencore Agriculture.

1987 - US smelter and Peruvian mine acquired; vertically integrated production starts.

1990 - A stake in Xstrata (then Südelektra Holding AG) is acquired.

1993 - Management buyout from Marc Rich; with the company being renamed Glencore.

1995 - We acquire the Prodeco coal project in Colombia – today, Colombia’s third largest exporter of thermal coal.

2000 - We acquire a stake in Mopani, Zambia – one of the African Copperbelt’s key producers of copper.

2002 - The Xstrata IPO takes place in London.

2008 - Katanga and Nikanor merger completes in the DRC.

2010 - We release our first sustainability report.

2011 -  We release our first sustainability report.

2012 - We acquire Viterra – providing a significant operational footprint for our agriculture business in Australia and Canada.

2013 - We complete the merger with Xstrata. We roll out the Code of Conduct across the Glencore group. The $550m Puerto Nuevo is opened in Colombia – one of Colombia’s first direct loading ports. We launch our SafeWork programme, with the express goal of eliminating workplace injuries and fatalities. 

2014 - We launch our SafeWork programme, with the express goal of eliminating workplace injuries and fatalities. We roll out our Human Rights policy across the group. Mopani Copper Mines $500m smelter upgrade completed. 

2015 - Glencore joins the Plenary of the Voluntary Principles. Glencore published its first annual group-wide Payments to Government report. We announce our debt reduction plan. 

2016 - We agree to sell 40% of Glencore Agricultural Products to CPPIB, and 9.9% to the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation. 

2017 - We take full ownership of Mutanda and increase our stake in Katanga in the DRC. We announce a joint venture with G500 in Mexico to launch 2,000 G500-branded gas stations. We agree to acquire a 49% interest in Hunter Valley Operations. We announce a deal to acquire Chevron’s South African and Botswanan mid/downstream assets. Glencore acquires 36.9% of the voting shares in the Peruvian zinc, lead and silver producer, Volcan. Glencore and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan announce the creation of a new partnership, BaseCore Metals. 

2018 - We acquire the Hail Creek coal mine – a large-scale, long-life and low cost operation located in central Queensland, Australia.

2019 - We announce our intention to cap our annual coal output at 150 million tonnes, following engagement with investor signatories of Climate Action 100+. We launch our first standalone Human Rights and Water reports – furthering our commitment to greater transparency.