The scarce arena of "pure play" tier-one copper mining stocks looks set to dwindle further. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FQVLF), which operates the Kansanshi and Sentinel copper mines in Zambia, surged 22% since last Wednesday after people with knowledge of the matter indicated that the company has been drawing preliminary takeover interest from global miners. Jiangxi Copper Co., China's top producer of the base metal, reportedly built up a stake of less than 10% in First Quantum in recent months, and First Quantum is now working with defense advisors to examine its options.