Shougang Concord International Enterprises Co, a unit of China's ninth largest steelmaker, is associated with existing Mt Gibson shareholder APAC Resources Ltd, the Melbourne-based Takeovers Panel said yesterday in a statement.

The rejection, supported by Mt Gibson, foils Shougang's attempt to increase control of iron ore supply as prices for steel raw material soar. Chinese mills agreed last month to pay at least 65 percent more for ore this year.

"This certainly creates a difficult situation," said John Veldhuizen, an analyst at BBY Ltd. "These companies are becoming more active in this space."

A takeover bid "is a real possibility", he added.

Perth-based Mt Gibson has a market value of A$2.3 billion ($2.1 billion).

"We have no plans to appeal the decision though we do not agree with such a decision," said Cheng Man Ching, Hong Kong-based company secretary of Shougang Concord.

Usmanov's Gazmetall Holding (Cyprus) Ltd agreed in January to sell Shougang a 9.3 percent stake in Mt Gibson for A$201 million ($183 million) and an option over a 10 percent stake.

The panel found the sell-off would increase Shougang's and APAC's voting power in Mt Gibson to 39 percent given APAC already holds a 20.2 percent stake in the company. Shougang Corp, through Shougang Holding (Hong Kong) Ltd, also owns 18 percent of APAC Resources Ltd.

"Mt Gibson is pleased to see that its serious concerns raised in its application to the Takeovers Panel have been addressed," it said in a separate statement to the exchange.

Forbes ranks Usmanov as Russia's 19th richest person, and the world's 91st wealthiest, with a fortune of $9.3 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2007. In February, he increased his stake in Arsenal, a UK soccer team, to just more than 24 percent. He is also the owner of Moscow-based Metalloinvest, Russia's biggest supplier of iron ore.