large trades this morning 999,736 shares , page-5

On the assumption that Rio is not a seller in a takeover, potential acquirers would naturally look at Itochu as the next largest single purchase.

Itochu are not a miner, so won't be seeking to operate.

Their web site (see below) shows that China is a very strategic market for them, a market they have been investing in for a very long time - not bad for a Japanese company.
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Itochu web site:
Focusing Consistently on China has Made Us the Country's Strongest Trading Company

Based on the conviction that, when diplomatic relations were restored, China's market would undoubtedly become a major source of trade, we made a variety of preparations to enter the market. In March 1972?half a year before the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations?we became the first major general trading company to resume trade between Japan and China by obtaining formal ratification from China's State Council. Since then, we have steadily built our foothold in China's market by tirelessly pioneering new areas. In 1979, we opened a representative office in Beijing; in 1992, we established a trading subsidiary in Shanghai; in 1993, we obtained approval for an umbrella company; and in 2005, we obtained approval for a multinational company regional headquarters.

As a result of continuously concentrating management resources on China, we have developed one of the largest networks of bases among major general trading companies. Other consequent competitive advantages include an extensive network of personal contacts, alliances with major companies, and numerous personnel with extensive knowledge of China. Our present position as China's most powerful trading company is the fruit of such far-sightedness and a consistent emphasis on China.

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Could they be convinced to sell???