Rio Tinto says Guinea goes back on iron ore concession
Monday, 4 August 2008
SYDNEY, Aug 3 (AFP): Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto said today a concession which potentially could open a massive new iron ore field in west Africa appeared to have been rescinded.
In a statement issued Friday, Rio Tinto said it received correspondence from Guinea President Lansana Conte "purporting to rescind the Simandou Mining Concession".
A company spokeswoman said Sunday that the situation had not changed since then.
Located in the west African country of Guinea, Simandou is said by analysts to have potential to become one of the world's major iron ore resources.
In a statement issued Friday, Rio Tinto said it received correspondence from Guinea President Lansana Conte "purporting to rescind the Simandou Mining Concession".
A company spokeswoman said Sunday that the situation had not changed since then.
Located in the west African country of Guinea, Simandou is said by analysts to have potential to become one of the world's major iron ore resources.