Due diligence on a large foreign acquisition can be a huge task, often time-limited by takeover rules.

The foreign acquisition plans are in advanced stages with the company in talks with 5-6 firms for a buyout.

At the beginning, state-owned enterprises dominate the foreign acquisition and most of the money goes to oil and minerals.

The company, which accounts for 2 per cent of world zinc production, aims to raise up to $700 million (370 million) to finance foreign acquisitions.

However, even foreign acquisitions are still 64% below the 11 billion completed in the second quarter of 2011, suggesting that uncertainty over the eurozone has spread to the global economy.