MINING

Gencor to Buy Shell Group Assets for $1.14 Billion: South Africa’s second-biggest mining house said it will acquire most of the upstream, or processing, assets of Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s Billiton metals and minerals division in a deal that would make Gencor one of the world’s most diversified resource groups. The assets to be acquired are in 15 countries and are part of operations engaged in exploration, mining, processing and marketing of bauxite, alumina, aluminum, nickel, zinc, copper and gold. The Billiton and certain of Gencor’s international assets would be known collectively as Billiton International. Gencor expects the deal, still subject to certain conditions, to be completed by Sept. 30.