IN the first link below, you will see Rio Tinto state:

"Rio Tinto's Canadian aluminum assets will remain among the jewels in the multinational mining company's crown after it divests 13 non-core assets in other countries in a move to boost profitability. Whyis Rio's Canadian aluminum assets considered a jewel?

"In terms of quality of assets, ... there's going to be nobody else on the market of that size with such a small carbon footprint."

http://www.miningexcellence.ca/events/2011/AGM%202011/AGMevite2011.pdf

What perfect timing for Noront...this strategic reseach in underground mining that Rio is doing with their own Rio bucks.

If the Canadian Aluminum operation is a jewel to Rio Tinto due to it being a quality asset with low carbon footprint.

You can just imagine the deep salivation that has been going on for Low Carbon Canada's largest new nickel sulphide discovery at the Eagles Nest.

Here's another link with a bit more info about Rio's plan.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/mobile/business/top-stories/Tinto+retreats+from+aluminum+puts+billion+assets+block/5561356/story.html

"Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) signaled a major retreat from its aluminum business on Monday, putting an estimated $8 billion worth of assets up for sale across six countries, only four years after buying aluminum giant Alcan for $38 billion.

Rio Tinto (RIO.L) said it planned to sell 13 assets, including smelters and alumina refineries, in a move immediately interpreted as a way of diverting yet more resources to iron ore, which now accounts for nearly 80 percent of group earnings."

So, let's think about this for a moment.

Rio Likes Canada's low carbon footprint.

Rio wants to divert more resources to iron ore.

Awe, too bad Cliff's already snatched up Consolidated Thompson in Labrador for 4.9 billion. That would have been a good one for Rio.

Hey, how about buying Cliffs? You get the iron ore and you get Freewest and if you partner-up with Noront. ...you can put your 10 million Sudbury research bucks to good use ..in the underground mining at the Eagles Nest. The low carbon Eagle King would be crowned.

Guaranteed to be first to mine up there ...if that was done.

In the link below you will see that there was an annual meeting last week in Sudbury and Rio Tinto showcased a strategic research program for underground mining construction.