Test for Rio spending

Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 20 : 28-Nov-14

Paul Young of Deutsche Bank believes that Rio Tinto’s investor briefing on 28 November 2014 will include plans to proceed with the Silvergrass iron ore mine in Western Australia. He expects Rio’s board to approve the greenfields mine during the December quarter, despite its recent moves to reduce capital expenditure. Rio aims to increase annual iron ore exports from 290 million tonnes to 360 million. Silvergrass is expected to boost output to about 330 million tonnes

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, GLENCORE PLC, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INDUSTRY. BUREAU OF RESOURCES AND ENERGY ECONOMICS, CLSA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, DOMINION DIAMOND CORPORATION

Rio gets EPA approval for Pilbara mine

Original article by Tess Ingram
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 & 26 : 19-Nov-14

Rio Tinto has received approval from the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority for its Koodaideri iron ore mine in the Pilbara region. The approval is subject to a number of conditions. The new mine is forecast to yield some 70 million tonnes of iron ore each year, but Glyn Lawcock of UBS says Rio Tinto can achieve its annual target of 360 million tonnes without the mine’s contribution

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, MOUNT BRUCE MINING PTY LTD

Setback for Rinehart in dispute over royalties

Original article by Leo Shanahan
The Australian – Page: 21 : 17-Sep-14

A court decision will reduce iron ore royalties for Hancock Prospecting and Wright Prospecting by $A80 million. The companies wanted $A200 million from Rio Tinto, in a dispute stemming from royalty agreements made in the 1960s with Hamersley Iron, now a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. Part of Rio’s appeal was dismissed, but the court found that the joint venture Hanright was not entitled to royalties from the Channar agreement

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, HANCOCK PROSPECTING PTY LTD, WRIGHT PROSPECTING PTY LTD, HAMERSLEY IRON PTY LTD, HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Rinehart hints Roy Hill may export early

Original article by Peter Ker, Ben Butler
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 3-Sep-14

Hancock Prospecting has previously indicated that it expects to commence exporting iron ore from its Roy Hill project in September 2015. However, mining magnate Gina Rinehart has advised that exports could begin ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Hancock Prospecting has revealed that it has ceased all exploration activities in Mongolia and no longer has any commercial interests in the country

CORPORATES
HANCOCK PROSPECTING PTY LTD, ROY HILL IRON ORE PTY LTD, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, SOUTHGOBI RESOURCES LIMITED, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, LINKEDIN LIMITED, ASPIRE MINING LIMITED – ASX AKM, GUILDFORD COAL LIMITED – ASX GUF, SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION

BHP surge sets stage for buyback

Original article by Amanda Saunders
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 & 24 : 24-Jul-14

BHP Billiton expects its iron ore output for 2014-15 to top 245 million tonnes, after production in the Pilbara region of Western Australia for 2013-14 rose to about 225 million tonnes. Most analysts had forecast that output for 2014-15 will be around 230 million tonnes. Glyn Lawcock of UBS says the upbeat production forecast could prompt BHP to reveal a share buyback program when its 2013-14 financial results are released in August 2014

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP|UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD|RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO|FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LIMITED – ASX FMG|VALE SA|DEUTSCHE BANK AG|PENGANA CAPITAL LIMITED