PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Iron-ore major Fortescue Metals was forced to make a statement on Thursday regarding the future of the company, following the shock split of chairperson Andrew Forrest and his wife of 31 years, Nicola Forrest.
Media reports on Thursday speculated that the split has raised questions around the couple’s joint 36% stake in Fortescue, as well as their A$35-billion fortune.
“There will be no change to the control, direction or major shareholding owned by Tattarang and Dr Forrest’s associated entities, except for what has been previously advised, that Dr Andrew Forrest and Nicola Forrest will be transferring their wealth to charity over their lifetimes,” Fortescue told shareholders in a statement on Thursday.
The company noted that Forrest would remain executive chairperson of Fortescue and chairperson of Tattarang and Minderoo Foundation.
The couple earlier in June gifted 220-million Fortescue shares to the Minderoo Foundation, worth an estimated A$4.8-billion.