Source: The Australian                   Date: 27 October, 2010

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has said ongoing tensions with Canadian partner Ivanhoe Mines would not hold back the Oyu Tolgoi project which he said could be brought on stream early. Mr. Albanese said in a television interview broadcast on Sunday he hoped to see first production from the mine in 2013, and said both Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines were committed to its rapid development despite their disagreements.

"It's very important for Rio Tinto. It's very important for Ivanhoe. It's also very important for Mongolia. It's a first class mine being built on time," Mr. Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) program Inside Business. "I'd like to actually see it get sped up if we can, first production by 2013. It is on track as we speak."