Rio Tinto (ASX, LON:RIO) launched today a $2.5-billion bond buyback plan with the idea of reducing reduce its gross debt.
In a press release, the global miner explained that, under the plan, it has issued a redemption notice for approximately $1.72 billion of its 2019 and 2020 US dollar-denominated notes and commenced cash tender offers to purchase up to approximately $781 million of its five 2021, 2022 and 2025 US dollar-denominated notes. Such offers will expire on June 20.
The company also said that today's announcement is part of its ongoing capital management plan and follows the completion of a series of $7.5 billion US dollar-denominated note redemptions and repurchases in 2016.