Tata Said to Consider Bidding for Australian Miner New Hope

Tata, India’s largest business group, may bid for New Hope Corp., the Australian company valued at A$4.9 billion ($5.1 billion), to secure thermal-coal mines, three people familiar with the plan said.

Tata Steel Ltd., India’s largest producer of the alloy, and Tata Power Ltd. may jointly make an offer for Ipswich, Queensland-based New Hope, said the people, declining to be identified because discussions are at an early stage. Both Tata Steel and Tata Power require coal to run their plants.