Press Release: Mergers: Commission closes investigation after BHP Billiton abandons proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto

The European Commission closed its investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into BHP Billiton's proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto and not adopt a final decision as BHP Billiton has informed the European Commission that it has abandoned the proposed acquisition and has withdrawn its notification. The Commission was satisfied that the planned transaction has effectively been abandoned and will not proceed.