Rio Says It Will Convey Investors’ Views to Chinalco (Update1)

April 15 (Bloomberg) -- Rio Tinto Group, the mining company that agreed to a $19.5 billion investment from Aluminum Corp. of China, said it will convey the views of shareholders to the state-owned Chinese company before the transaction is voted on. “We want to leave everybody feeling that they’ve been heard,” Skinner told reporters today after a shareholder meeting in London. “The outcomes may not be entirely what they want. But it is our intention to reflect the views we’ve heard.” Rio is trying to convince shareholders and regulators that Chinalco’s planned cash injection, comprising the sale of stakes in mines and a convertible bond issue, is the best way to slash its $38.9 billion of debt. Some Rio investors have demanded to be included in the bond offer. Skinner said some shareholders have a “deep commitment” to the principle of being consulted about any fund raising. “Let’s see how we get down the track,” Skinner said when asked whether there’s a possibility Rio may reach a compromise over the proposed investment.