Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced the filing of its Form F-4 registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with its previously announced offer for fellow miner Rio Tinto Plc, as required by the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Form F-4 registers the BHP Billiton exchange securities to be offered as a consideration to holders of Rio Tinto Plc ordinary shares located in the US and to holders of Rio Tinto Plc American Depositary Shares (ADSs) wherever located. The Form F-4 is subject to review and must be declared effective by the SEC before the exchange securities can be issued.
Meanwhile, on October 2, BHP Billiton had announced that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) granted relief for the compulsory acquisition of shares in Rio Tinto Limited at the usual 90 percent relevant interest threshold.