LONDON — More than a year after he launched his private fund, former Xstrata boss Mick Davis is coming under pressure to build a new mining empire with the $6bn in capital he has raised.The renowned deal-maker set up X2 Resources 18 months ago after Glencore’s $46bn takeover of Xstrata, when he was passed over for the top job in favour of his Glencore counterpart, Ivan Glasenberg.Mr Davis has since approached most large mining companies looking to buy a variety of assets, banking and industry sources said, but nobody has agreed to sell given a feeling that current prices are at rock bottom and may turn up again before long."Mick’s team has been looking at so many assets closely. But nobody wanted to sell to them. Vale didn’t want to sell, Rio didn’t want to sell, BHP didn’t want to sell," said an industry source close to Mr Davis.With his portfolio still empty, some sources expressed concern that some investors’ patience with Mr Davis may run thin.A banking source said: "Not all tho...
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