6
February 2008
Download full release PR608g
Rio Tinto notes BHP Billiton's
pre-conditional offer
Rio Tinto notes the announcement by BHP Billiton of
its intention to make offers to acquire the whole of the issued
share capital of Rio Tinto plc at an exchange ratio of 3.4 BHP
Billiton shares per Rio Tinto plc share, consisting of 80% BHP
Billiton plc shares and 20% BHP Billiton Limited shares, and the
whole of the issued share capital of Rio Tinto Limited at an exchange ratio of 3.4 BHP Billiton Limited shares per Rio Tinto
Limited share.
The offers are subject to pre-conditions relating to
merger control and regulatory approvals in a number of
jurisdictions.
Rio Tinto’s chairman Paul Skinner said: “The Boards
of Rio Tinto will consider the terms of the proposal carefully in
the light of all circumstances and will make a further statement
once they have completed this assessment. In the meantime, the
Boards encourage shareholders not to take any action.”
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group
headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London listed
company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian
Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and
processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper,
diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals
(borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span
the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North
America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe
and southern Africa.
A further announcement will be made as and when
appropriate. There can be no certainty that any offer will be made
nor as to the terms on which any offer may be made.
In the United States, Rio Tinto will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Schedule 14D-9 following
commencement of a tender offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and holders of Ordinary
Shares and American Depositary Shares are advised to read it when it
becomes available as it will contain important information. Copies
of the Schedule 14D-9 and other related documents filed by Rio Tinto
will be available free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition,
documents filed with the SEC by Rio Tinto may be obtained free of
charge by contacting Rio Tinto’s media or investor relations
departments or on Rio Tinto’s website at www.riotinto.com. Any documents
filed by BHP Billiton, including any registration statement on Form
F-4 (which will include a preliminary prospectus) and related
exchange offer materials as well as any Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule TO, will also be available free of charge on the SEC’s
website.
For further
information, please contact:
Media Relations, London
Christina Mills Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605
Nick Cobban Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003
Media Relations, US
Nancy Ives Mobile: +1 619
540 3751
Media Relations, Australia
Ian Head Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile:
+61 (0) 408 360 101
Amanda Buckley Office: +61 (0) 3 9283
3627 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349
Investor Relations, London
Nigel Jones Office: +44 (0) 20 7781
2049 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365
David Ovington Office: +44 (0) 20 7781
2051 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978
Investor Relations, North
America
Jason Combes Office: +1 (0) 801 685
4535 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645
Investor Relations, Australia
Dave Skinner Office: +61 (0) 3 9283
3628 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309
Simon Ellinor Office:+ 61 (0) 7 3867 1068
Email: questions@riotinto.com
A full copy of the press release is also available on
the Rio Tinto website: www.riotinto.com/media
High resolution photographs available at Newscast www.newscast.co.uk
Bryan
Smith Principal
adviser Digital Media Communications and
External Relations |
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