Consolidation in previous times has been driven by major mining companies seeking extra capacity due to strong demand and rising prices. The delay in their acquisition plans, of possibly two to three years, leaves a vacuum that some in the private equity business see as an opportunity. Data provider Preqin estimates private equity funds have access to $4.4 billion of capital for mining investments. Some of those funds say conditions are now ripe for them to move. "This is a prime time in the market for us," Denham Capital director Caroline Donally said. Denham has around $1 billion invested...