(Corrects word to received, not given, in headline)
BEIJING, March 10 (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry said on Thursday it had not received an application for regulatory approval from iron ore miners Vale VALE5.SA and Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AX in relation to their planned joint venture.
In a fax message to Reuters, the ministry said it would review the deal according to the law if it received an application.
The world's No. 1 and No. 4 iron ore miners are in talks that could see Brazil's Vale taking a minority stake in Australia-based Fortescue Metals Group and blending their iron ore to win market share in China.