Soaring prices for nickel, copper and zinc have helped make Inco and Falconbridge attractive targets for other mining companies in Canada and abroad. Here is a timeline of some of the main developments in the battle:

Sept. 24, 2004:
China Minmetals Corp. enters into exclusive negotiations to buy all of the shares of Noranda, the Canadian mining company that owns 59 per cent of Falconbridge. Minmetals makes a preliminary proposal that includes "a small premium" on the recent trading price for Noranda shares.
»CBC STORY: China Minmetals in exclusive talks to buy Noranda

Nov. 16, 2004:
Noranda ends a period of exclusivity in takeover talks with China Minmetals, but says talks are still continuing. Noranda says it will also be open to other alternatives, including deals with other companies. »CBC STORY: Noranda ends exclusive period of talks with China Minmetals

March 9, 2005:
Noranda announces it will merge with Falconbridge in a multi-billion-dollar deal. Noranda already owns 59 per cent of Falconbridge.
»CBC STORY: Noranda to take over Falconbridge

Aug. 15, 2005:
Switzerland's Xstrata buys a 19.9 per cent stake in Falconbridge for $2 billion.

Oct. 11, 2005:
Inco negotiates a friendly deal to acquire 80 per cent of Falconbridge for $12 billion, or $34 a share.
»CBC STORY: Inco aims for global nickel powerhouse with $12B deal

May 8, 2006:
Teck Cominco Ltd. launches a $17.8-billion hostile takeover bid for Inco that is conditional on Inco walking away from its attempt to acquire Falconbridge.
»CBC STORY: Teck Cominco launches $17.8-billion takeover bid for Inco

May 13, 2005:
Citing higher metals prices, Inco boosts its offer for Falconbridge to $19 billion.
»CBC STORY: Inco boosts Falconbridge offer

May 17, 2006:
Xstrata launches bidding war for Falconbridge by offering $52.50 in cash for each of the company's shares it doesn't already own.
»CBC STORY: Xstrata launches takeover bid for Falconbridge

May 31, 2006:
Falconbridge and Inco officially reject takeover bids for their companies, insisting they will press on with their plans to merge.
»CBC STORY: Falconbridge, Inco reject outside takeover bids

June 5, 2006:
In a U.S. regulatory filing, Inco reveals it is talking to an unidentified third party about a potential merger to fend off a takeover bid from Teck Cominco.
»CBC STORY: Inco negotiating to fend off Teck Cominco

June 7, 2006:
LionOre Mining International agrees to buy a Norwegian refinery from Falconbridge to appease antitrust concerns and expedite Falconbridge's proposed merger with Inco.
»CBC STORY: LionOre buying Norwegian refinery from Falconbridge

June 26, 2006:
Arizona-based Phelps Dodge reaches a deal with Inco and Falconbridge to acquire the companies for $40 billion US in what would be the biggest takeover in Canadian corporate history.
»CBC STORY: Phelps Dodge to buy Inco, Falconbridge for $40B US

July 28, 2006:
Inco admits defeat and pulls out of the takeover race after failing to get enough Falconbridge investors to support its offer.
»CBC STORY: Inco admits defeat, cancels Falconbridge takeover bid

July 31, 2006:
Teck Cominco ups its hostile takeover offer for Inco Ltd. by $2.7 billion, in an effort to edge out Phelps Dodge's friendly offer.
»CBC STORY: Teck sweetens Inco bid

Aug. 7, 2006:
Inco rejects an offer from Vancouver-based Teck Cominco Ltd., but leaves the door open for talks with the company.
»CBC STORY: Inco offers hopeful note in rejecting Teck Cominco bid

Aug. 11, 2006:
Brazil's CVRD, the world's biggest producer of iron ore, unveils a $17-billion cash takeover bid for Inco Ltd.
»CBC STORY: Brazil's CVRD bids $17B for Inco

Aug. 16, 2006:
Teck Cominco effectively withdraws from the bidding for Inco. One day earlier it had announced a sweetened $20-billion bid for its rival, to be financed by a huge $5.7-billion share offering. But on second thought it said it could not raise the cash in such a short period.
» CBC STORY: Teck Cominco pulls out of Inco bidding