* Media reports interest from Chinese consortium

* Shares up 10.19 pct at C$9.19 on TSX
(Recasts, adds analyst’s quote)

By Julie Gordon

TORONTO/STOCKHOLM, April 29 (Reuters) – Lundin Mining
(LUN.TO: Quote) shares surged on Friday after a newspaper reported it
it was in talks to be acquired by a Chinese-led consortium,
although the Canadian copper miner said it was still exploring
sale options.

Stock in Lundin, initially halted at the market open, was
up more than 10 percent at mid-morning in Toronto to C$9.19
after the Globe and Mail newspaper reported a consortium headed
by China’s Jinchuan Group Ltd, and including sovereign wealth
fund China Investment Corp, was preparing a takeover bid.

Its Stockholm-listed shares were up 7.22 percent at 57.20
crowns.

“It is understood that a handful of U.S. and Canadian
pension funds and private-equity investors have also been
invited to join the buying group,” the newspaper said.

Lundin put itself up for sale in March after receiving a
hostile takeover offer from Australian miner Equinox Minerals
(EQN.TO: Quote)(EQN.AX: Quote), even as it was in merger talks with Inmet
Mining (IMN.TO: Quote) to create a $9 billion copper company.

“Lundin Mining Corp reiterates its previous announcement
that it is undertaking a strategic process to explore options
to create shareholder value and shareholders will be advised of
any material developments in this regard,” Lundin said in an
issued statement.

  Continued…