SOUTH32 LTD's stock soared 6.92% during intraday trading on Wednesday, driven by a series of major corporate announcements.

The diversified miner announced an agreement to sell the bulk of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa for an implied enterprise value of up to $5.6 billion. The deal simplifies South32's business and is expected to deliver approximately $125 million in annual overhead cost savings. Following the transaction's completion, targeted for the second half of 2027, the company intends to return around $500 million to shareholders as a fully-franked special dividend.

Concurrently, South32 announced the final investment approval for a fourth grinding line project at its Sierra Gorda joint venture in Chile. The expansion is expected to increase processing capacity by about 25% and reduce operating unit costs by approximately 10%. The company also completed its leadership transition, with Matthew Daley commencing as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, replacing Graham Kerr who will continue as a strategic advisor.