MERGER: Rio Tinto gets green light for Hathor bid

GATINEAU, Quebec - The Canadian Competition Bureau has given its approval for Rio Tinto's bid to acquire all the common shares of Vancouver-based Hathor Exploration. Rio has made an all-cash offer of $4.70 per Hathor share.

The Commissioner of Competition issued a "no action letter" which indicates compliance with all requirements of the Competition Act (Canada) in relation to the offer. The Rio Tinto offer remains open for acceptance until 5:00 pm (Toronto time) on Nov. 30, 2011, unless extended or withdrawn in accordance with its terms.

In August 2011, Cameco of Saskatoon made an offer of $3.75 per Hathor share, and that sparked a bidding war that was quickly joined by Rio Tinto. Both companies eventually increased their original offers, but the Hathor board threw its weight behind Rio's higher bid. At this stage it is unlikely that Cameco would make another bid.

Visit www.Hathor.ca to learn about the company's Roughrider uranium project in the Athabasca Basin.