Where Rio Tinto might shed mining assets to help cut its $39bn debt

Rio Tinto, the heavily indebted mining group, has unveiled controversial plans to receive a $19.5bn cash injection from Chinalco in return for the sale of minority stakes in some of its best mining assets and the issue of convertible bonds.

Chinalco will buy $7.2bn in convertible bonds, which will convert into Rio shares at a later date. That would increase its stake in Rio from 9 per cent to 18 per cent.

Chinalco will also invest $12.3bn in three strategic partnerships, taking minority stakes in a total of nine assets.

The deal, should it receive approval, would be the biggest ever investment by China in a foreign company. But commentators expect it to face close scrutiny from investors and regulators around the world.

In this graphic we show you which of Rio’s worldwide operations would be affected and how. Click on the relevant sites for more details.