The merged company will be involved in the development of two world class copper projects: Tenke Fungurume in Congo in which Lundin holds a 24% stake (Freeport McMoRan is the majority partner) and Cobre Panama which is 74% controlled by Inmet.

FORBES: Selling Inmet for 63% gain

Benedict, 84, arrived in Cuba's southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba on Monday, later heading to the city's Basilica del Cobre where he prayed in front of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, a wooden statue considered to be the shrine of the island's patron saint.

CNN: Pope's Havana visit raises questions of whom he'll meet