A deal aimed at capturing a bigger slice of the metals market, the proposed $160 billion merger of Rio Tinto a Glencore appears doomed to fail

When Glencore Plc proposed a combination with Rio Tinto Group a decade ago, the larger company turned it down after just a few days. News this week that the two spent several months in negotiations in the second half of last year shows how the sands have shifted,

Rio Tinto is the world’s second most valuable mining company and shares with its Melbourne-based neighbour BHP the distinction of being valued at more than $100 billion, but only just.

Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE: RIO) and Glencore Plc (OTC: GLNCY) , two of the largest mining companies in the world, have engaged in preliminary discussions about merging their businesses, according to individuals familiar with the matter.

As it happened, Jakob Stausholm, the boss of rival mining company Rio Tinto, was also speaking at the event. Around the same time, Glencore and Rio held tentative talks about combining part or all of their business to create a $160bn mining behemoth.

Glencore approached Rio Tinto late last year about combining the two big copper producers but the discussions are no longer active, a person familiar with the matter said. The talks between Rio, the world's No.

Rio Tinto and Glencore have held early-stage talks about combining their businesses, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The potential merger between the two mining heavyweights,