The takeover battle between rival Anglo-Australian miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton lasted more than a year, involved 15 advisers and took place against a backdrop of political pressure and turmoil in the commodities markets.

The outcome was the largest failed deal in history - at one point valued at $188bn (€132bn) - following a sustained and successful defensive campaign by Rio Tinto's lead advisers Rothschild and Morgan Stanley, with help from Credit Suisse, JP Morgan Cazenove, Macquarie, Royal Bank of Scotland and Deutsche Bank.