Rio Tinto has announced it will support Energy Resources of Australia’s (ERA) plans for an Interim Entitlement Offer (IEO), which seeks to raise funds of up to AU$369 million for the Ranger Rehabilitation Project in the Northern Territory to the end of Q2 2024.
Rio Tinto, which owns 86.3 per cent of ERA’s shares, has pre-committed to subscribe for its full entitlements under the terms of the IEO, at a cost of AU$319 million.
Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker, said, “We are committed to ensuring the critical rehabilitation of Ranger is completed to a standard that will establish an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park.”
Rio Tinto noted that ERA has recognised the Mirarr People’s opposition to further uranium mining on their land in the IEO offer material. This was a relevant factor in Rio Tinto’s recent decision to no longer report the Jabiluka deposit as a mineral resource.
Rio Tinto also recognised that the Mirarr People’s continued involvement in and support of the Ranger Rehabilitation Project is critical for its timely completion and success.
As announced by ERA, funds from the IEO are not expected to generate any financial return and will be dedicated strictly to the Ranger Rehabilitation Project and repayment of the credit facility.
Funds raised from this IEO will be partly used to repay a AU$100 million credit facility provided by Rio Tinto to assist ERA with its management of immediate liquidity issues.
