Japan-based trading company Mitsui & Co. has signed agreements to acquire a 40% interest in the Rio Tinto-operated Rhodes Ridge iron ore project in Western Australia for $5.34bn (Y800.51bn). The deal is expected to bolster Mitsui's iron ore production capacity and long-term earnings base.

Japanese trading house Mitsui said on Wednesday it would acquire a 40% interest in the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project in Australia for $5.34 billion. Rhodes Ridge, operated by Rio Tinto, is one of the world's largest undeveloped iron ore deposits with 6.

Rio Tinto notes that Mitsui & Co. has entered agreements to acquire a 40% interest in the Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture (RRJV) from Rio Tinto’s partners.