Rio, BHP reject WA proposal to change iron-ore levy

Iron-ore majors Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton have rejected an offer from the Western Australian government to scrap the existing 25c/t production levy on iron-ore produced in the state in lieu of an upfront payment. A spokesperson for Rio Tinto confirmed on Tuesday that the Western Australian government had approached the company with a proposal that it could pay out its lease rental in a lump sum. However, the iron-ore producer said that it was not planning to take up the offer.