Russia can lay claim to the globe's largest undeveloped copper project and two island nations also make the top ten ranking.

Under the proposed mining law amendments, Bougainville would take a 60% share in all projects and retain all mining licences, leaving a 40% share that investors can bid for.

The miner feared the government would try to completely renegotiate the agreements underpinning the asset's development.

Details about how it will fund the development of a heavy rare earths processing facility in Texas is expected to come by the end of February.