BHP Billiton Ltd chief executive Marius Kloppers says the takeover of Rio Tinto Ltd can be completed without the support of Chinese aluminium giant Chinalco.
State owned Chinalco and its US partner Alcoa Inc teamed up to secure a 12 per cent stake in Rio Tinto's UK shares on Friday for $US14 billion ($A15.6 billion).
Mr Kloppers told journalists during a conference call on Wednesday the deal could be completed without the support of Chinalco and junior partner Alcoa.
"By the terms of our offer, absolutely," he said.
BHP Billiton, which had, under UK law, until Wednesday London time to formalise its bid for Rio Tinto, announced an offer of 3.4 of its shares for every Rio share.
The offer is an improvement on an informal three for one approach made late last year.
The offer has a minimum acceptance condition of more than 50 per cent of the publicly-held shares in each of Rio Tinto Ltd and Rio Tinto plc.
Mr Kloppers would not comment on whether BHP would hold discussions with Chinalco, adding that its share raid was "just another factor".
Speculation remains that the goal of Chinalco and Alcoa is to be at the bargaining table to pick up aluminium and copper assets potentially divested if BHP Billiton gains control of Rio Tinto.
Sign writers are already planning for BHP, Billiton, Rio Tinto, Alcan, Chinalco or BHPBRTAC for short.
New employees will have to be extra large just to fit the company name on their shirts.
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