SYDNEY, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO) RIO.L has opened its books to more than half a dozen potential buyers of its two remaining Australian coal mines as it winds down the sales process, two people familiar with the sale process said on Friday.
The mines have attracted the attention of some of Australia's established coal miners, as well as private equity groups attracted to the positive outlook for selling metallurgical coal to Asian steel mills at robust prices, according to the people.
Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the process.
Rio Tinto declined to comment.