China exports role in Rio Tinto profit
Updated
![Rio Tinto has more than doubled its half-year net earnings from 2007. [Getty]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/aus_rio_getty_270808.jpg?<BR> "Rio Tinto has more than doubled its half-year net earnings from 2007. [Getty]")
Rio Tinto has more than doubled its half-year net earnings from 2007. [Getty]
Business analysts say exports to China have played a major role in better than expected half-year profit for Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto.
Rio has more than doubled its half year net earnings from last year to $US6.9 billion.
Mining analyst Peter Arden from Ord Minnett says the energy, coal and iron ore divisions have performed very well.
"It is really all about supplying commodities to China, and they seem to be driving the company very well, some of their older assets are going to need a bit more work," he said.
"But they've got some superb assets and they're running the company pretty well."
