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.

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 18, 2008 (AFP) - Global miner Rio Tinto said Monday it was still discussing 2008 iron ore prices with customers after rival Vale of Brazil won a massive 65 percent increase from its Asian clients.

Demand for iron ore has soared due to growing demand for steel led by a construction boom in China and India.

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).

SYDNEY, Feb 6, 2008 (AFP) - BHP Billiton lifted its bid for mining giant Rio Tinto Wednesday, valuing its target at 147.4 billion dollars as it seeks a mega-merger to exploit the China-driven resources boom.