Rio Tinto plc (ADR) (RTP)

Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited operate as one business organization (Rio Tinto). Rio Tinto is a mining and exploration company. The Company’s business is finding, mining and processing mineral resources. Its major products include aluminum, copper, diamonds, energy products, gold, industrial minerals (borates, titanium dioxide, salt and talc), and iron ore. Rio Tinto’s activities are represented in Australia and North America. There are also businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa. The Company’s product groups comprise: Aluminum; Copper and Diamonds; Energy and Minerals, and Iron Ore. Rio Tinto's business support groups include Exploration and Technology and Innovation. In January 2009, the Company completed the sale of its 50% equity share of the Alcan Ningxia aluminum joint venture in China to Qingtongxia Aluminium Group Co Ltd.

There has been a significant sell off of metals and many miners over the last two weeks. As we head into 2010, I suspect many investors will use the lower stock prices as entry points for a long term holding. Its the same argument: If the world economies really do improve, then the demand for metals will increase and if the inflation become more evident, their will be a flight toward assets which are more likely to maintain buying power (gold and silver).