Clifford Chance (CC) and Allens Arthur Robinson have taken lead roles on a joint venture between two of the world’s largest metals producers, reports The Asian Lawyer.

Aluminum Corp of China (better known as Chinalco) and British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Group have agreed to enter into an exploration venture to find new mineral deposits in China. The venture will initially focus on copper, with the potential to expand to coal and potash.