Analysts say that rio is already several years ahead of its main competition , including bhp billiton .

分析师们表示，力拓已经领先必和必拓（bhpbilliton）等主要竞争对手数年。

Meanwhile , bhp billiton , the world 's biggest miner , is waiting in the wings .

与此同时，全球最大矿商必和必拓（bhpbilliton）已做好接手准备。

The steelmakers have failed to agree a 2008-09 annual contract price with rio and bhp billiton despite months of talks .

虽然经过数月谈判，中国钢铁制造企业与力拓及必和必拓（bhp）仍未能就2008-09年度的合同价格达成一致。

Bhp billiton and rio tinto , two of the world 's biggest resource companies , roughly share the pilbara 's iron-ore deposits that feed china 's flourishing steel industry .

两个世界最大的资源公司bhpbilliton和riotinto基本上瓜分了pilbara的铁矿石储量，这些矿产支撑着中国繁荣的钢铁工业。

Rio is currently the subject of hostile takeover interest from rival bhp billiton , meaning voting interest on rio 's shares could be crucial .

竞争对手必和必拓（bhpbilliton）目前有意对力拓进行敌意收购，这意味力拓股份的投票权可能至关重要。