Report assists mining support products merger

Genesis was commissioned to assist one of the largest suppliers of mining support products, Bedrock Mining Support, in its bid to oppose a Competition Commission prohibition of its acquisition of hardwood plantations owned by Mondi.

The commission's prohibition related to concerns about the likelihood of post-merger collusion, concerns about foreclosure raised by a downstream competitor, and public interest concerns raised by a small hardwood user.

The Genesis report and testimony argued convincingly that the theories of foreclosure and collusion put forward were without substance.

The commission ultimately withdrew its opposition to the merger, which was approved by the Competition Tribunal.

The parties agreed to certain conditions in order to safeguard against potential anti-competitive concerns.