Rio Tinto extends offer for Hathor Exploration

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 22, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto today extended its offer, made through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, to acquire all the common shares of Hathor for C$4.70 in cash per common share until 5:00 pm (Toronto time) on 6 January 2012. The offer has been extended to allow the remaining Hathor shareholders sufficient time to tender their common shares to Rio Tinto's offer.

As of 5:00 pm (Toronto time) on 22 December 2011, approximately 111,170,930 Hathor common shares had been validly tendered, representing 87.26 per cent of the outstanding Hathor common shares (other than the Hathor common shares already held by an affiliate of Rio Tinto as of the date of the offer). Rio Tinto has taken up all validly deposited common shares and will pay for such shares within three business days of take-up.

A notice of extension will be mailed to Hathor shareholders and filed on SEDAR. All common shares validly tendered and not withdrawn by 5:00 pm (Toronto time) on 6 January 2012 will be taken up on a daily basis and Rio Tinto will pay for such shares within three business days of take-up.

Hathor shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of an investment advisor, stockbroker, bank, trust company should contact their intermediary before 5:00 pm (Toronto time) on 6 January 2012 to ensure they meet any tendering cut-off times established by the intermediaries.

Shareholders are advised that the administrative procedures established by brokers and other intermediaries may cause a delay in their ability to accept tender instructions following this extension of Rio Tinto's offer, however Rio Tinto understands that all such intermediaries should be able to process tenders of Hathor common shares from and after 29 December 2011.

Shareholders who need assistance tendering their shares to Rio Tinto's offer can contact Rio Tinto's information agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group toll free at 1-877-452-7184 or collect call at 416-637-4661 or email assistance@laurelhill.com.


About Rio Tinto in Canada

Rio Tinto employs over 13,400 people across its extensive operations in Canada, which include mining and manufacturing interests in alumina, aluminium, iron ore, diamonds and titanium dioxide. Rio Tinto also operates exploration activities, research and development centres, port and rail facilities to support various businesses, technical and sales service centres, and substantial hydroelectric power facilities in British Columbia and Quebec. In addition, Canada is home to the global headquarters of Rio Tinto Alcan.


About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange 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, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. 



CONTACT:

RIO TINTO PLC
Media Relations, Australia / Asia Investor Relations, Australia

David Luff Dave Skinner
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309

Karen Halbert, Christopher Maitland

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3063
Mobile: +61 (0) 412 119 389 Mobile: +61 (0) 459 800 131

Bruce Tobin
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas Investor Relations, London

Illtud Harri, Mark Shannon
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152 Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1178
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576597

Tony Shaffer David Ovington
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

Christina Mills
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

Media Relations, Canada Investor Relations, North America

Bryan Tucker Jason Combes
Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151 Office: +1 (0) 801 204 2919
Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645

Website: www.riotinto.com
Email: media.enquiries@riotinto.com, enquiries.mediaaustralia@riotinto.com

Twitter: Follow @riotinto on Twitter

High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media