Mining and commodities. Switzerland
Glencore plc
Two Glencore entities pleaded guilty in the United States on 24 May 2022, one to an FCPA bribery conspiracy and one to a commodity price manipulation conspiracyS1. Glencore Energy UK Ltd pleaded guilty to seven Bribery Act counts and was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on 3 November 2022S2. On 5 August 2024 the Swiss Office of the Attorney General closed its case against Glencore International AG with a summary penalty order, a CHF 2 million fine and a US$150 million compensation claim tied to the Democratic Republic of the CongoS3. Glencore said a Dutch case was dismissed the same dayS4.
- Also known as
- Glencore International AG, Glencore Ltd., Glencore Energy UK Ltd
- Headquarters
- Switzerland
- Records from
- United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands
- Current status
- Glencore plc is an operating commodities group based in Baar, Switzerland. In August 2024 it said the Swiss and Dutch resolutions closed the last of its previously disclosed government investigations into historical misconductS4.
Scope. This record covers Glencore group companies only. It does not assess the separate criminal cases against former Glencore employees, and it does not cover Glencore's civil disputes or environmental cases.
Claims assessed
4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported91The US Department of Justice said in May 2022 that Glencore entities pleaded guilty to bribery and market manipulation schemes and agreed to pay over US$1.1 billion.Regulator statement, 24 May 20223 records citedBribery
- Supported93Glencore Energy UK Ltd was convicted in England of bribery offences and ordered to pay about GBP 281 million.Court filing, 3 November 20223 records citedBribery
- Partly supported82Public Eye said in August 2024 that Glencore was convicted following corrupt mine deals in the DRC and must pay a penalty of US$152 million.Press report, 22 August 20245 records citedBribery
- Supported75Glencore said in August 2024 that the Swiss and Dutch outcomes resolved the last of its previously disclosed government investigations into historical misconduct.Company statement, 5 August 20242 records citedCorporate status
Cases and proceedings
- United States v. Glencore International A.G.US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Criminal. Not published on the release we read.Stage: Guilty plea entered
- Guilty plea to conspiracy to violate the FCPAS1
- Serious Fraud Office v Glencore Energy UK LtdSouthwark Crown Court. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Sentenced
- Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland v Glencore International AGOffice of the Attorney General of Switzerland. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Closed by summary penalty order
- Summary penalty order with CHF 2 million fine and US$150 million compensation claimS3
Responses on record
- Glencore, 5 August 2024, on Public Eye said in August 2024 that Glencore was convicted following corrupt mine deals in...
Glencore said it agreed not to appeal but does not admit the OAG's findings.S4
Revision history
- Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- S1Tier A Glencore Entered Guilty Pleas to Foreign Bribery and Market Manipulation SchemesUS Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. Regulator press release. 24 May 2022.Supports the two US guilty pleas, the countries, the amount and the three-year monitors. It does not state the Brazil resolution amount or when the monitorships ended.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S2Tier A Sentencing Remarks GlencoreCourts and Tribunals Judiciary, Southwark Crown Court. Court judgment. 3 November 2022.Supports the pleas, counts, countries and financial orders. It does not address later cases against individuals.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S3Tier A Office of the Attorney General closes its criminal investigation against Glencore International AG with a summary penalty order and an abandonment orderOffice of the Attorney General of Switzerland. Regulator press release. 5 August 2024.Supports the summary penalty order, the fine and the compensation claim. It does not say whether the order can be appealed.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S4Tier B Swiss and Dutch investigations resolvedGlencore. Company statement. 5 August 2024.Company statement that it will not appeal the Swiss order and that the Dutch case was dismissed. Attributed to Glencore only.Link working, checked 25 October 2026