First Quantum will invest $1.5 million to advance exploration work at the Orquideas and Cascas assets in the first year, with the option of investing an additional $37 million over the course of the subsequent four years covered by the deal.
Sumitomo’s move comes as Japanese trading companies have been grabbing assets and increasing their stakes on a few of them thanks higher commodities prices, which have boosted their profits.
The company's withdrawal means all eyes are now on Fortescue, which still has a 19.9%-stake in Atlas and has not yet disclosed whether it plans to launch a rival bid or sell its holding into Hancock’s offer.
The country's antitrust regulator is investigating the effects on the market of Chinese miner Tianqi Lithium acquisition of a 24% stake in SQM, the world's second largest lithium producer,