An Infobae article on our recent acquisition: “The Indian-Born Millionaire Who Became the Majority Shareholder of One of Colombia’s Leading Gold Mining Companies”
“Infobae.com” recently highlighted us in an article. Below is the translated version:
Through Sun Valley, the businessman and investor acquired just over 30% of Mineros S.A., aiming to position the company as a leader in gold extraction in Latin America.
Sun Valley Investments AG, an investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, has become the majority shareholder of Mineros S.A., one of Colombia’s leading gold mining companies. This acquisition was finalized following the completion of a Public Tender Offer (OPA) authorized by Colombia’s Financial Superintendence at the end of November.
With this move, Sun Valley increased its stake from 24.99% to 30.85% through an investment of 54.166 billion Colombian pesos (approximately USD 14 million), solidifying its position as the mining company’s majority partner.
The OPA was organized from Sun Valley’s corporate services office in Toronto, Canada, with legal counsel from Dentons, both in its Colombian branch and its Canadian headquarters. Dentons, recognized as the largest law firm in the world, has Bernardo Cárdenas as a founding partner and director in Colombia.
Sun Valley took its first step toward becoming Mineros’ primary shareholder in May, after acquiring the stake of Mercantil Colpatria, owned by the Pacheco family. This move reinforces its commitment to strengthening its presence in Latin America’s precious metals industry.
Headquartered in Medellín, Mineros is the third-largest gold and precious metals extraction company in Colombia. In 2023, it recorded revenues of 833.988 billion Colombian pesos (approximately USD 216 million), with 94% of its earnings coming from gold. Its operations include properties in Colombia, such as Nechí Alluvial in El Bagre, Antioquia, as well as Hemco in Nicaragua. Additionally, it holds a 20% stake in the La Pepa project in Chile.
The key figure behind Sun Valley’s success is Vikram Sodhi, an Indian-born businessman and investor. A partner, manager, and co-founder of the firm, Sodhi has over two decades of experience in the metals and mining sector. Under his leadership, Sun Valley has managed transactions worth USD 2.5 billion in this industry.
A graduate of Yale University, where he received a full international scholarship, Vikram Sodhi also conducted neuroscience research at Yale’s School of Medicine. He is currently a member of the Yale President’s Council on International Activities and holds the title of Sterling Fellow at the institution.
Beyond Sun Valley, Vikram Sodhi serves as Executive Chairman of Goldlogic Corp and has co-founded several private equity funds across the United States, Latin America, and India. These initiatives have handled transactions related to metals, mining, and affordable housing exceeding USD 2 billion, attracting over USD 1 billion in institutional capital from sovereign funds, foundations, and insurance companies.
Sodhi’s influence extends beyond the business world. He founded the Sodhi Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on discovering new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and investing in early childhood education and economic empowerment across 30 marginalized communities in Colombia and India.
With this acquisition, Sun Valley aims to finance the entire precious metals supply chain, from mine exploration and construction to processing and refining. This comprehensive approach seeks to position the company as a strategic player in the global metals market.
The arrival of Vikram Sodhi as Mineros’ primary shareholder could mark a new chapter in the company’s history. For the precious metals sector in Colombia and the region, this partnership could represent an opportunity for long-term consolidation and development, as expectations grow regarding the impact of the investor’s vision and expertise on the communities where the company operates.
Read the original article in Spanish on infobae:
Original article by Licsa Gómez published on Jan 25, 2025 in infobae.
Translation by: Sun Valley