Rio Tinto PLC (RTP) is looking for a "period of stability" after a dramatic two-year stretch that included a major acquisition, defense against a hostile bid, a collapse in financial and commodity markets, and finally a hefty rights issue and joint venture with its one-time suitor, Chairman Jan Du Plessis said Thursday.

"My strong sense is what this organization wants at the moment and is asking for is a period of stability to go back to running the business. We've had enough excitement for some time. We actually want a period of less excitement," du Plessis told reporters, following the global diversified miner's first-half results.

Rio bought Canada's Alcan in October 2007, adding $40 billion in debt that burdened the company until a rights issue earlier this year. The miner at the same time announced an iron ore joint venture with BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), which had raised and dropped a hostile bid in 2008.

"Since that time there has been an almost tangible change in mood in the organization. I think people are actually delighted about the fact that they can go back to running the business," du Plessis said.

Company Web site: http://www.riotinto.com

-By Jeffrey Sparshott, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)207 842 9347; jeffrey.sparshott@dowjones.com

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