Europe Delays Decision On Mining Company Merger.

European Union regulators extended an investigation into BHP Billiton's hostile bid for the Rio Tinto Group because of ''serious doubts'' about the combination, which would control more than a third of the world's iron ore production. The European Commission, in charge of antitrust rulings, will review the proposed $163 billion acquisition for an additional 90 working days and announce a decision by Nov. 11, it said in a statement in Brussels on Friday. The antitrust division of the United States Justice Department gave partial approval Thursday. The takeover also needs agreement from Australia and South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]