BHP Group has made a substantial bid of $38.8 billion for Anglo American, a smaller rival, in a move that could create the world’s biggest copper mining company. This proposed merger follows a series of significant transactions in the mining industry over the past several years. Some notable deals include Polymetal International’s sale of its Russian assets to Mangazeya Plus, Teck Resources’ coal business sale to Glencore, and Newmont’s acquisition of Newcrest Mining.