US mining group Molycorp last week announced plans to acquire Canadian rare earth processor Neo Material Technologies for C$1.3 billion (€996 million). The merger will combine the owner of the largest rare-earth deposit outside of China with a leading rare earth processing technology company.

Antitrust counsel has lined up on mining equipment company Joy Global’s buyout of rival LeTourneau Technologies, although the companies anticipate the deal will clear within two months.

Canada’s mining market could undergo significant change after two merger agreements were announced within one day of each other.

The European Commission today opened a formal antitrust investigation of a joint venture between Anglo-Australian mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.