ADQ and Orion Resource Partners Launch $1.2 Billion Joint Venture in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: ADQ, a global sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure and supply chains, and Orion Resource Partners, a global investment firm specializing in metals and materials, have announced the establishment of a new Abu Dhabi-based joint venture. This 50-50 partnership aims to make strategic investments in the metals and mining sector to bolster supply chain security both locally and globally.
According to Emirates News Agency, the joint venture partners are committed to allocating an initial US$1.2 billion over the first four years. Based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the joint venture, named OMF (ME) JV LP (Orion Abu Dhabi), will focus on investing in mining companies through a variety of asset classes, including equity, senior debt, and production-linked instruments such as royalties, streams, and offtakes.
The investment strategy will target a wide range of metals and minerals across various geographies, with an initial focus on emerging markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Orion Abu Dhabi aims to secure long-term agreements to source essential minerals, including copper and high-grade iron ore, which are crucial for global supply chain security and the energy transition.
In alignment with ADQ’s mission to create global business platforms that deliver value and long-term financial returns for Abu Dhabi, the joint venture will be part of ADQ’s newly formed Infrastructure and Critical Minerals cluster. This cluster includes ADQ’s investments in companies like Alpha Dhabi Construction Holding and Plenary Group, aiming to strengthen the local economy and support the growth of its broader investment portfolio. Downstream sectors such as manufacturing and clean energy are anticipated to benefit directly from the sourcing of critical raw materials through Orion Abu Dhabi.
The partnership is expected to leverage ADQ’s extensive global reach and reputation, alongside Orion’s deep sector expertise and excellence in transactions. The new Abu Dhabi office will expand Orion’s international presence to five offices worldwide and will be led by Philip Clegg, who brings over 20 years of experience in natural resources and mining investments as a Managing Partner at Orion.
Hamad Al Hammadi, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, emphasized their commitment to ensuring the success of portfolio companies in a dynamic operating environment. He stated that the establishment of Orion Abu Dhabi is a natural progression, enabling companies to execute growth plans with a resilient supply of essential resources. Al Hammadi expressed confidence in Orion’s expertise and global network as valuable assets to the partnership.
Oskar Lewnowski, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Orion Resource Partners, highlighted Orion’s decade-long experience in partnering with leading corporations to advance sustainable resource production. He noted that Orion Abu Dhabi will support critical material supply chain security and global decarbonization efforts, contributing to long-term value for the UAE economy.
Philip Clegg, Managing Partner of Orion Abu Dhabi, reiterated the joint venture’s dedication to responsibly investing in top-tier mining projects that produce materials essential for global economic growth, with a focus on megatrends like urbanization, societal development, and the energy transition.
ADQ currently manages over 25 portfolio companies across more than 130 countries, operating in key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s rapidly evolving economy, including energy and utilities, food and agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, and transport and logistics.