The story of BHP Billiton's attempt to buy Rio Tinto has taken a small step forward with a decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that it does not object to the deal. BHP is already the world's biggest mining company, while Rio is the third largest and both are major suppliers of uranium. A BHP spokesman told World Nuclear News that the Australian decision follows an American equivalent, although further decisions from South Africa, Canada and the European Commission are required before an exsiting $147.4 billion offer from BHP becomes live, the last of these being expected from Europe on 15 January 2009. The takeover began in November 2007 with an approach by BHP, which was rejected by Rio, as was a revised deal tabled in February 2008.