Rio Tinto, the mining group embroiled in a row with shareholders over controversial fundraising plans, has suffered a new, rather prosaic setback: rain.
The company said today that a prolonged spell of heavy rain in Western Australia and subsequent flooding had had a "significant impact" on its iron ore operations in the region.
Many roads are impassable and ten workers at the Yarraloola station had to be airlifted to safety, but there have been no reported injuries, Rio said in a statement.
Some operations and rail movements have been suspended because of the bad weather, the company added.
Rio is warning that further rain is expected across the region.
The shares are down 0.6% or 12p to £19.13.
