Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 18 : 7-Aug-14

Discussions on the sidelines of the "Diggers & Dealers" forum held in early August 2014 in the Western Australian city of Kalgoorlie were marked by speculation about asset sales as well as acquisitions in the mining sector. The deals most spoken about were the divestment by BHP Billiton of its Nickel West smelter, and that by US group Cliffs Natural Resources of the Koolyanobbing iron ore mine. Meanwhile, junior mining companies are set to follow the lead of Northern Star Resources and engage in renewed mergers activity. Among those looking for targets are Sandfire Resources, Regis Resources, Independence Group and Evolution Mining

CORPORATES
NORTHERN STAR RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX NST, SANDFIRE RESOURCES NL – ASX SFR, REGIS RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX RRL, INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL – ASX IGO, EVOLUTION MINING LIMITED – ASX EVN, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INCORPORATED, DIGGERS AND DEALERS FORUM, PANORAMIC RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX PAN, JINCHUAN NON-FERROUS METALS IMPORT AND EXPORT COMPANY, APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC, GLENCORE XSTRATA PLC, MINERAL RESOURCES LIMITED – ASX MIN, AQUILA RESOURCES LIMITED, SHANGHAI BAOSTEEL GROUP CORPORATION, AURIZON HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX AZJ, MOUNT GIBSON IRON LIMITED – ASX MGX, BC IRON LIMITED – ASX BCI, HOT CHILI LIMITED – ASX HCH, COMPANIA MINERA DEL PACIFICO SA