Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have won lead roles as mining giants Anglo American and Xstrata discuss a potential merger worth £41bn.

Anglo-Swiss group Xstrata confirmed this week (21 June) that it had approached the board of Anglo American about a possible union.

On Monday, Anglo American rejected Xstrata's initial all-share offer, leaving it unclear whether the bid will be improved or go hostile.

Freshfields is understood to be advising Xstrata on the early stages of the talks, while Linklaters is acting
for Anglo American, fielding a team believed to include senior partner David Cheyne and corporate partner Clodagh Hayes.

Both firms are longstanding advisers to the mining companies. Linklaters has been Anglo American's principal legal adviser in the UK since it first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1999, following a merger between Anglo American Corporation of South Africa and Minorco, and the firm has advised Minorco as far back as
the 1980s.

Xstrata, meanwhile, has been active in the last few years, awarding Freshfields a number of roles.

Corporate partner Julian Makin manages the firm's relationship and earlier this year advised as Xstrata raised £4.1bn though a rights issue. He also advised the company last August on its $10bn (£6.08bn) hostile bid for Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum producer.

Earlier this month rival mining group Rio Tinto launched a $15.2bn (£9.2bn) rights issue and joint venture with one-time merger partner BHP Billiton.

The deal generated roles for Linklaters, Slaughter and May and Herbert Smith.