KPMG makes a fast start on mining M&A

GREG Evans has got off to a flying start in his new role as KPMG’s global leader of mining M&A, with one of the firm’s major clients announcing its first takeover bid last week.

Mr Evans has taken on the global role three years after joining KPMG with a mandate to expand its mining M&A practice.

He has built a team of six people nationally, including director Matt Pedley in Perth.

Mr Evans said one of the key trends he had observed was the growing appetite for deals by private equity funds.

A case in point is US-based Denham Capital, which last year committed $US130 million to local entity Auctus Minerals to fund acquisitions.

Under the leadership of Steve Murdoch, Auctus launched its first bid last week, offering to buy Mungana Goldmines.

KPMG has been working with Denham since last year, helping to establish Auctus and evaluate opportunities.

Mr Evans said KPMG had worked on a number of asset-level transactions in Western Australia, but was keen to do more.

He is targeting transactions in the $100 million to $500 million range.

KPMG has mining M&A experts in more than 20 countries and his goal is to help them work together more effectively, while also linking clients to the firm’s broader service offering.