LONDON, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - BHP Billiton, the world's biggest miner, said Wednesday its production of seven raw materials, including copper and iron ore, hit record levels in 2007-2008.

FRANKFURT, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - German industry urged the European Commission Wednesday to reject a tie-up of mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto and warned that steelmakers were curbing competition in the European market.

BRUSSELS, July 4, 2008 (AFP) - The European Commission on Friday opened an in-depth antitrust probe into mining giant BHP's hostile takeover of rival Rio Tinto over 'serious doubts' the deal could stifle competition amid soaring commodities prices.

BRUSSELS, July 4, 2008 (AFP) - The European Commission on Friday opened an in-depth antitrust probe into mining giant BHP's hostile takeover of rival Rio Tinto over 'serious doubts' the deal could stifle competition amid soaring commodities prices.

SHANGHAI, July 4, 2008 (AFP) - China's leading steelmaker Baosteel said Friday it had agreed to a near doubling of some iron ore prices with Australian mining group BHP Billiton.

The agreement matches major price hikes already secured by rival Rio Tinto from China and other Asian customers, and could underline concerns of higher inflation driven by the global commodity boom.

SYDNEY, June 6, 2008 (AFP) - Australia's competition regulator launched an inquiry Friday into mining giant BHP Billiton's hostile takeover of rival Rio Tinto.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it had received a submission from BHP that enabled it to commence market inquiries into the proposed deal.

The European Commission said on Friday it would either rule on mining giant BHP's hostile takeover of rival Rio Tinto by July 4 or open an in depth antitrust probe into the deal.

BHP launched a 147 billion dollar (95 billion euro) takeover bid for Rio, which is resisting on the grounds that the offer is too low.

SYDNEY, April 24, 2008 (AFP) - BHP Billiton needed to follow China's lead and pay a substantial premium for Rio Tinto shares if it wanted to take over the world's largest miner, Rio chairman Paul Skinner said Thursday.

SYDNEY, April 23, 2008 (AFP) - BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers launched a scathing attack on takeover target Rio Tinto Wednesday, as figures showed his company's iron ore production at a record high.

LONDON, Feb 6, 2008 (AFP) - Chinese state-owned aluminium giant Chinalco and US peer Alcoa said Wednesday they were 'monitoring developments' after miner BHP Billiton launched a formal hostile takeover bid for Rio Tinto worth 147.4 billion dollars (100 billion euros).