The mining sector kicked off 2026 with a bang as Rio Tinto and Glencore confirmed early-stage talks that could create the world’s biggest mining company. In this episode, host Chris Bourke is joined by Bloomberg’s Asia-Pacific head of commodities, Clara Ferreira Marques, to unpack why the deal is back on the table, what’s changed since talks first surfaced last year, and whether the “most obvious” merger in mining can actually get done.

They dig into the race for copper at record prices, the cultural and regulatory hurdles standing in the way, and what a tie-up would mean for rivals like BHP. From coal and China to scale, strategy and leadership, the conversation explores why mining’s long-anticipated M&A wave may finally be taking shape.

The mining sector kicked off 2026 with a bang as Rio Tinto and Glencore confirmed early-stage talks that could create the world&rsquo;s biggest mining company. In this episode, host Chris Bourke is joined by Bloomberg&rsquo;s Asia-Pacific head of commodities, Clara Ferreira Marques, to unpack why the deal is back on the table, what&rsquo;s changed since talks first surfaced last year, and whether the &ldquo;most obvious&rdquo; merger in mining can actually get done.
They dig into the race for copper at record prices, the cultural and regulatory hurdles standing in the way, and what a tie-up would mean for rivals like BHP. From coal and China to scale, strategy and leadership, the conversation explores why mining&rsquo;s long-anticipated M&amp;A wave may finally be taking shape.

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business. 

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

The Bloomberg Australia Podcast

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

Can Rio Tinto and Glencore Really Pull Off a Mega-Merger?

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