Rio Tinto reaches agreement with certain shareholders of Turquoise Hill Resources

Rhea-AI Summary

Rio Tinto has reached agreements with Securityholders regarding its proposed acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources. The deal, set at C$43.00 per share, aims to acquire the remaining 49% of Turquoise Hill shares. The Special Meeting to vote on this Arrangement has been postponed to November 8. Securityholders will withhold their votes and pursue dissent rights, with Rio Tinto increasing the dissent threshold from 12.5% to 17.5%. The payment structure involves an initial C$34.40 per share, pending arbitration, followed by the remaining amount. Rio Tinto states this offer is final.

Positive

• Rio Tinto proposes to acquire Turquoise Hill at C$43.00 per share, which may enhance its ownership and control over the asset.
• The increase in dissent condition to 17.5% may streamline the acquisition process, reducing potential shareholder opposition.

Negative

• The postponement of the Special Meeting could indicate uncertainty in securing shareholder approval for the acquisition.
• Increased dissent rights may signal possible legal challenges, potentially complicating and delaying the acquisition process.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto has entered into agreements (“Agreements”) with certain funds and other entities related to Pentwater Capital Management LP and SailingStone Capital Partners LLC (the “Securityholders”) in relation to the special meeting (“Special Meeting”) of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd (“Turquoise Hill”) shareholders to vote on Rio Tinto’s acquisition by way of plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) of the approximately 49% of the issued and outstanding shares of Turquoise Hill that Rio Tinto does not own for C$43.00 per share in cash (the “Consideration”). As announced by Turquoise Hill, the Special Meeting has been postponed until Tuesday 8^th November.

Under the Agreements, the Securityholders have agreed to withhold their votes at the Special Meeting and exercise their dissent rights in respect of the Arrangement. Rio Tinto has agreed to increase the dissent condition under the Arrangement Agreement from 12.5% to 17.5% of Turquoise Hill shares issued and outstanding. Under the Agreements, the parties have also agreed that the dissent proceedings with the Securityholders and certain other claims shall be conducted by arbitration, and the Securityholders shall be paid C$34.40 of the Consideration following the completion of the Arrangement, with the remaining Consideration payable following the final determination of the arbitration. The Agreements contain customary releases of the parties.

Rio Tinto reconfirms that the proposal of C$43.00 per Turquoise Hill share is best and final.

Additional Disclaimers

Canadian Early Warning Disclosure

Rio Tinto currently beneficially owns 102,196,643 common shares of Turquoise Hill, representing approximately 51% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Turquoise Hill. Rio Tinto also has anti-dilution rights that permit it to acquire additional securities of Turquoise Hill so as to maintain its proportionate equity interest in Turquoise Hill from time to time.

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by, and a copy of the related early warning report may be obtained from, Rio Tinto’s Group Company Secretary.

The head office of Turquoise Hill is located at 1 Place Ville-Marie, Suite 3680, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 3P2.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Information provided in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” and “forward looking information” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities law, respectively. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, are forward-looking statements or information. The words “intend”, “forecast”, “project”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “target”, “pursue”, “seek” or similar expressions, commonly identify such forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without restriction, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information regarding: statements and implications about the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement for Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill and their respective shareholders, shareholder and court approvals, the anticipated timing of the completion of the Arrangement and the anticipated funding and other risks for Turquoise Hill and the shareholders if the Arrangement does not proceed.

Such forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the failure of the parties to obtain the necessary shareholder and court approvals or to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the completion of the Arrangement; failure of the parties to obtain such approvals or satisfy such conditions in a timely manner or at all; significant transaction costs; failure to realize the expected benefits of the Arrangement and general economic conditions. Failure to obtain the necessary shareholder and court approvals, or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the completion of the Arrangement or to complete the Arrangement, may result in the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms, or at all. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements and information contained in the Information is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on our business, financial condition or results of operation.

Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement or information contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement or information is based. All Information in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is accessed.

This announcement contains inside information.

The person responsible for arranging and authorising the release of this announcement on behalf of Rio Tinto is Steve Allen, Group Company Secretary.

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82
Classification: 3.1. Information disclosed under article 19 of the Market Abuse Regulation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221101006224/en/

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

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David Outhwaite

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Investor Relations, UK

Menno Sanderse

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Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

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Amar Jambaa

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Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tinto’s Group Company Secretary.

riotinto.com

Category: Oyu Tolgoi

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What is the current offer price for Turquoise Hill shares by Rio Tinto?

Rio Tinto has proposed an acquisition price of C$43.00 per share for Turquoise Hill.

When is the Special Meeting for Turquoise Hill shareholders scheduled?

The Special Meeting to vote on the acquisition has been postponed to November 8.

What changes were made to the dissent condition in the acquisition agreement?

Rio Tinto increased the dissent condition from 12.5% to 17.5% of the issued shares of Turquoise Hill.

What is the payment structure for dissenting shareholders in the acquisition?

Dissenting shareholders will receive C$34.40 per share after the Arrangement, with the remaining amount payable following arbitration.

What entities are involved as Securityholders in the Rio Tinto acquisition of Turquoise Hill?

The Securityholders involved are related to Pentwater Capital Management LP and SailingStone Capital Partners LLC.