The rationale for First Quantum's "highly conditional" bid for Inmet Mining is one of the unique cases where outsiders all nod in approval over a proposed acquisition.

Inmet's Cobre Panama project is both widely regarded as a high quality asset and one of the few large-scale copper mines currently being developed in the world. Copper prices have also held in. Though they aren't north of $4 (U.S.) per pound any more, they haven't plummeted, and there are signs the global economy is shoring up, which at the very least offers support at current levels.