Dianor Resources Inc V.DOR

Bhp proposed acquisition of Rio

[MiningStock]

ACCC CLEARS BHP BILLITON'S PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF RIO TINTO

02 October 2008

BHP Billiton has welcomed the decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that it does not object to BHP Billiton's proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto.

"We are very pleased to have received notice that the ACCC will not object to our proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto. We have long believed in the benefits of the combination of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.  Our strategic rationale has always been based on the combined company having an incentive to produce more product, more quickly, to deliver to customers," says Alberto Calderon, BHP Billiton's Chief Commercial Office,.

Confirmation that the ACCC does not object satisfies the Australian merger control pre-condition of BHP Billiton's proposed offer for Rio Tinto.  In July, the U.S. Department of Justice also announced it would not oppose the transaction.