Rio says not delaying Mongolian mine construction

SYDNEY, March 9 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc (RIO.AX) (RIO.L) will not delay construction of the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mining project in Mongolia, denying media reports it was considering such a move with joint venture partner Ivanhoe mines (IVN.TO) "Rio Tinto remains fully committed to the Oyu Tolgoi copper gold project in Mongolia. Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines have spent more than US$1 billion on the project to date and underground construction has continued while we await the finalisation of the Ivanhoe agreement," Rio Chief Executive Tom Albanese said in a statement emailed to Reuters.