Energy Resources of Australia

RNS Number : 5952W

Rio Tinto PLC

12 December 2019

 

Takeovers Panel findings in relation to Energy Resources of Australia

12 December 2019

Rio Tinto acknowledges the findings of the Takeovers Panel in relation to Energy Resources of Australia Limited's (ERA) renounceable entitlement offer to raise $324 million (A$476 million) for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area in Australia's Northern Territory.

The company will consider the Panel's judgement before determining next steps.

Rio Tinto group executive Energy & Minerals Bold Baatar said "Rio Tinto agreed to fully subscribe to and underwrite an entitlement offer in the absence of any other commercially viable solution being available to ERA for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area.

"We will now consider our options in light of the Panel's orders so that ERA can fulfil its important rehabilitation obligations and commitments to the communities in which it operates and relevant authorities."

Under the terms of its mining approvals, ERA is required to end mining and processing activities at Ranger by January 2021 and complete final rehabilitation by January 2026. 

On 8 February 2019, ERA finalised its closure feasibility study for Ranger Project Area rehabilitation, resulting in a material increase in anticipated rehabilitation costs.  Following this increase, ERA advised it needed extra funding to meet its rehabilitation obligations to the Commonwealth Government, Northern Territory Government and Traditional Owners.

Contacts

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Media Relations, United Kingdom Illtud Harri M [phone] David Outhwaite T [phone] M [phone] Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T [phone] Media Relations, Asia Grant Donald T [phone] M [phone]	Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose T [phone] M [phone] Matt Chambers T [phone] M [phone] Jesse Riseborough T [phone] M [phone]
Investor Relations, United Kingdom Menno Sanderse T: [phone] M: [phone] David Ovington T [phone] M [phone]	Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley T [phone] M [phone] Amar Jambaa T [phone] M [phone]
Group Company Secretary Steve Allen Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T [phone] Registered in England No. 719885	Joint Company Secretary Tim Paine Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T [phone] Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.

 

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