A power solution for one of Rio
Tinto”s most prospective mines remains elusive, raising doubts over whether
plans to be in production within six months can be achieved.

The Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine
in Mongolia looms as one of Rio Tinto”s most exciting growth projects on the
back of the company”s recent takeover of Oyu Tolgoi”s majority owner Ivanhoe
Mines.

But difficulties in delivering power
to the mine”s remote location in the Gobi desert are continuing to fester, with
Ivanhoe confirming that a deal to import power from China had still not been
reached.