1) Codelco, 2) BHP, 3) Minera Escondida, 4) Phelps Dodge, 5) RTZ, 6) Freeport, 7) Group Mexico, 8) ZCCM, 9) Cyprus, and 10) MIM. (Note that PD and Freeport just merged.)

It's easy to see who doesn't qualify as a buyer based on interest and country. (This is just the top ten list. There are actually 25 who'd be able to pull it off.) When the large funds are added to the list it paints a pretty picture. I can see why Stifel wanted to fund the mine. They would get muscled out without having a friend on the inside.