The Johannesburg-based precious metals producer is on the shortlist of potential buyers for the copper mines owned by a unit of the Zambian government. The Chinese company has a presence in copper mining and would be joining Sibanye as an investment partner, Froneman said. The Chinese investor could help derisk the investment at Mopani, Froneman said. "They are an investment partner but technically they understand the copper business and smelting, so it's managing risk," he said. The Mopani assets require significant investment but spending would be spread over a number of years, Froneman said.

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Persons: Neal Froneman, we've, Froneman, Felix Njini, Tannur Anders, Sharon Singleton, David Holmes Organizations: Mines, Reuters, China's Zijin Mining, U.S, Rothschild & Co, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Stillwater, Johannesburg, Zambian, Southern Africa, Europe, U.S, Mopani, Switzerland, ZCCM