JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner Rio Tinto said on Friday that it had extended its A$16.50-a-share takeover offer for ASX-listed Riversdale Mining by a further two weeks to June 17.

The offer period would not be extended any further, the mining giant said in a statement.

Rio Tinto now holds a relevant interest of 73.42 % of all Riversdale shares.

As a result, the free-float of Riversdale shares available for trading, which are not controlled by either Rio Tinto or Tata Steel, is down to just 0.3%.

Rio Tinto assumed control of Riversdale Mining in April, and appointed a new chairperson and members of the board.

The company, which has operations in Australia, North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Southern Africa, would delist Riversdale from the ASX after the takeover offer closed.

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