RIO cant sell its shares on the exchange since they are not part...

RIO cant sell its shares on the exchange since they are not part of the 'float'.

Total shares outstanding are 724m but the share float (available to trade) is only 322m.

RIO will be lucky to get back its 45m contributed to the recent cap raising when it eventually sells out given the current sp lows, so in essence they will be giving away their majority shareholding for free. A couple of years ago their 57% stake would have been worth more than $750m !!!

Their big loss will be somebody's big gain in due course.