A record run for copper prices, fueled by Chinese industrial demand, has the world's most prolific copper producers shopping for smaller miners capable of boosting their output almost immediately. Dozens of Canadian-based juniors have the potential to become prime targets. The strongest candidates already have operating mines with healthy growth profiles, and their share prices are undervalued, analysts say. The drive to acquire is especially urgent because the output at some of the world's top producers is falling. Rio Tinto (RIO.L) sees copper demand doubling in the next 15 to 20 years but the Anglo-Australian mining giant experienced a 16 percent drop in mined production last year.
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