Transocean (RIO.US) is considering potential takeover bids for Teck Resources (TECK.US) and others.

Rio Tinto (RIO.US) is considering a potential bid for Teck Resources (TECK.US), according to sources familiar with the matter. The news comes after BHP Group (BHP.US) failed in its attempt to buy Anglo American Resources. Rio has drawn up a list of potential acquisition targets and has been discussing the matter with bankers, according to sources. It is not clear whether Rio will pursue Teck.

Many in the industry expect a new wave of merger and acquisition activity in the mining sector following BHP’s bid for Anglo American. However, the size of the deals between the world’s largest mining companies is likely to attract strict regulatory scrutiny, particularly as governments in the west grow increasingly concerned about the supply chains for key minerals such as copper.

Teck Resources announced this week that it had completed the sale of the remaining 77 per cent of its coal business to Glencore, for a cash payment of $7.3bn. The company also announced a dividend of C$0.625 a share, including a C$0.125 a share base dividend and a one-off special dividend of C$0.5 a share. Teck will focus on copper and zinc. The company is seen as an attractive acquisition target on the stockmarket, but any deal would need the support of its controlling shareholder, Norman Keevil.