June 21 (Reuters) - Atlas Iron (AGO) on Thursday recommended a A$390 million ($287 million) bid from Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting after rival suitor Mineral Resources (MIN) pulled out of the race for the small iron ore miner.
A majority of the Atlas Board withdrew support for the Mineral Resources scheme and backed Hancock's offer, in the absence of a superior proposal, Atlas said in a statement.
Mining infrastructure provider Mineral Resources on Wednesday said it would not be sweetening its A$280 million offer to match Hancock's bid.
Its withdrawal puts the focus on world No. 4 iron ore miner Fortescue (FMG) which has built up a 19.9 percent stake in Atlas.
Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said on Wednesday that the miner would continue to assess its strategic options.
($1 = 1.3569 Australian dollars)