Company Announcements

BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc - Portfolio Update

BLACKROCK WORLD MINING TRUST PLC (LEI) – LNFFPBEUZJBOSR6PW155

All information is at 31 December 2025 and unaudited.
 


Performance at month end with net income reinvested

                                                 One   Three  One   Three Five

                                                 Month Months Year  Years Years

Net asset value                                  9.7%  23.1%  74.0% 46.0% 108.3%

Share price                                      14.4% 19.2%  74.1% 36.3% 101.8%

MSCI ACWI Metals & Mining 30% Buffer 10/40 Index 6.8%  15.6%  64.2% 51.5% 94.6%
(Net)*

* (Total return)

Sources: BlackRock, MSCI ACWI Metals & Mining 30% Buffer 10/40 Index, Datastream



At month end


Net asset value (including income)1: 856.19p

Net asset value (capital only):      848.66p

Share price:                         804.00p

Discount to NAV2:                    6.1%

Total assets:                        £1,695.0m

Net yield3:                          2.9%

Net gearing:                         4.8%

Ordinary shares in issue:            186,683,036

Ordinary shares held in Treasury:    6,328,806

Ongoing charges4:                    0.95%

Ongoing charges5:                    0.84%



 

1 Includes net revenue of 7.53p.

2 Discount to NAV including income.

3 Based on the final dividend of 6.50p per share declared on 6 March 2025 with ex date 20 March and pay date 27 May 2025 in respect of the year ended 31 December 2024, and a first interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 21 May 2025 with ex date 29 May 2025 and pay date 27 June 2025, in respect of the year ending 31 December 2025 and second interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 3 September 2025 with ex date 11 September 2025 and pay date 3 October 2025 and third interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 19 November 2025 with ex date 27 November 2025 and payable on 19 December 2025.

4 The Company’s ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain other non-recurring items for the year ended 31 December 2024.

5 The Company’s ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily gross assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain other non-recurring items for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 


Country Analysis   Total
                   Assets (%)

Global             56.4

Canada             10.2

Latin America      8.7

United States      7.7

South Africa       6.4

Australasia        5.8

Other Africa       2.9

China              0.4

Indonesia          0.3

Net Current Assets 1.2

                   -----

100.0

=====



 

 

 


Sector Analysis       Total
                      Assets (%)

Gold                  39.2

Diversified           24.4

Copper                17.0

Steel                 5.4

Platinum Group Metals 4.2

Industrial Minerals   2.7

Aluminium             2.0

Iron Ore              1.2

Uranium               0.9

Silver                0.8

Nickel                0.6

Zinc                  0.4

Net Current Assets    1.2

                      -----

100.0

=====



 

 

 

 

 

 


Ten largest investments

Company                 Total Assets %

Vale:
                        4.9
Equity

Debenture               2.1

Barrick Mining          6.0

Agnico Eagle Mines      5.6

Rio Tinto               5.3

Newmont                 5.1

AngloGold Ashanti Plc   4.2

Anglo American          4.1

Kinross Gold            4.0

Wheaton Precious Metals 3.8

BHP:

Equity                  3.5

Royalty                 0.0



 


Asset Analysis     Total Assets (%)

Equity             97.5

Preferred Stock    0.7

Convertible Bond   0.6

Net Current Assets 1.2

                   -----

                   100.0



 

 


Commenting on the markets, Evy Hambro and Olivia Markham, representing the
Investment Manager noted:

Markets

December was a strong month for the mining sector, driven by robust performance
from the precious metals complex, lithium, nickel and copper. Positive sentiment
was further supported by signs of moderating cost inflation for mining
companies, easing monetary policy and strong metals demand across precious and
base metals.

Gold rose 3.0% in December, starting at US$4,200/oz and ending at US$4,325/oz.
Early gains were fuelled by a weaker U.S. dollar, strong ETF demand, and the
Fed’s 25bps rate cut, while mid-month momentum reflected escalating
U.S.–Venezuela tensions. Prices peaked near US$4,550/oz before Christmas on
safe-haven buying, then eased as CME raised margin requirements and year-end
profit taking weighed on liquidity.

Significant moves were observed in the silver market, with the spot premium on
the Shanghai Gold Exchange widening relative to COMEX futures and LBMA spot
prices. This was driven by robust demand for physically-backed silver ETFs,
silver’s designation as a critical mineral in the U.S., new export controls in
China, and sustained positive industrial demand from sectors such as solar,
electric vehicles, and AI applications.

Copper prices rose by 10.9% over the month to US$12,453/tonne, underpinned by
sustained demand from electrification, renewable energy projects and AI data
centre buildouts, coupled with supply constraints from declining ore grades and
operational disruptions. The U.S.Federal Reserve rate cut of 25bps in December
and a broader weakening of the U.S. dollar, which fell 1.1%, further supported
the copper price.

Bulk commodities posted modest gains, with iron ore (62% Fe) up 1.9%, reflecting
a modest improvement in Chinese steel demand amid property sector challenges.
Industrial activity in China expanded driven primarily by an increase in
domestic orders, as the Caixin Manufacturing PMI rose from 49.9 in November to
50.1 in December.

Outlook

Our outlook for the mining sector remains constructive across most commodities,
with particular strength in gold, copper, and aluminium. Copper demand is set to
accelerate, driven by electrification, rising power needs, the build-out of data
centres tied to artificial intelligence adoption, and the broader energy
transition. Supply constraints persist, as operational disruptions at existing
mines and multi-decade lead times for new projects continue to underpin
structural deficits in the base metal. Aluminium faces a global supply deficit
due to European production cuts and Chinese capacity limits, amid strong demand
from construction and autos.

Falling U.S. interest rates should boost metal demand. Lower rates enhance the
appeal of non-yielding metals like gold and silver and reduce financing costs
for industrial and green energy projects. This dynamic is reinforced by a weaker
U.S. dollar, which makes dollar-denominated commodities more affordable, further
supporting demand and prices.

Resource nationalism and geopolitical tensions have become critical drivers of
metal demand, shifting priorities from cost efficiency to strategic security.
Governments and companies are focused on securing mineral supply, with many
building strategic stockpiles of critical metals to mitigate future supply
shocks and protectionist trade measures.

Mining companies remain committed to capital discipline, emphasizing cost
control and operational efficiency, which supports free cash flow margins.
Rather than investing aggressively in production growth, miners are prioritizing
debt reduction, cost optimization, and shareholder returns. This approach limits
new supply and encourages a ‘buy versus build’ strategy to secure access to
mining assets, creating opportunities for M&A activity that could benefit select
players.

Lastly, we see an exciting outlook for gold producer earnings and it is our
largest sub-sector exposure today. Our outlook for gold over the next 12 months
is that it continues to trend higher, albeit at a more moderate pace relative to
2025. The structural drivers of gold for 2025 remain in place in 2026, including
high government debt-to-GDP ratios and subsequent currency aversion trade,
elevated geopolitical risks and strong central bank purchases. Looking ahead,
share price performance among gold miners will be driven more by
company-specific actions in our view, such as disciplined capital allocation,
strategic growth, and cost control, rather than just gold price sensitivity,
which shaped the story in 2025. We continue to position our portfolio to capture
companies that demonstrate sustainable growth, extend mine life, and prioritize
shareholder returns.

19 January 2026

Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.com/uk/brwm on the
internet. Neither the contents of the Manager’s website nor the contents of any
website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager’s website (or any other
website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.



 





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