Swiss-based international mining giant Xstrata has approached rival Anglo-American about the possibility of what it calls a ÔÇ£merger of equals.ÔÇØ XstrataÔÇÖs chief executive recently sent a written proposal to the board of Anglo American proposing a merger, saying that a union of "these two world-class companies" was "highly compelling." A merger between the two would make a great deal of sense, according to industry observers, because of the vast cost savings that could be made.