"Together, Alpha and Cleveland-Cliffs will have the size, the management depth and the mining expertise to compete on the global stage as demand for raw materials continues to increase around the world, " Alpha Chairman Michael Quillen said in a statement to the press.

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Caterpillar, for example, bought mining equipment firm Bucyrus International this week largely to take advantage of growing emerging market demand for raw materials.

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These companies are principally engaged in the business of producing raw materials, including paper or wood products, chemicals, construction materials, and mining and metals.

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Mining giants like Rio Tinto, Freeport-McMoran and Glecore figured the roaring Chinese demand for raw materials would bail them out of any mega- takeover that meant borrowing a bundle of debt to diversify into aluminum or gold or copper was the path to growth, higher profits and ecstatic shareholders.

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