March 16 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX :
* RIO TINTO LTD- PROVIDES UPDATE ON OYU TOLGOI PROJECT
* RIO TINTO - DESPITE IMPACT OF COVID-19, OPEN PIT OF OYU TOLGOI MINE CONTINUES TO OPERATE AND DELIVER SHIPMENTS OF COPPER CONCENTRATE TO ITS CUSTOMERS
* RIO TINTO LTD- WORK ON UNDERGROUND PROJECT CONTINUES, HOWEVER, PROGRESS IS BEING SLOWED AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES
* RIO TINTO LTD - WORKING WITH MONGOLIA TO ENSURE OYU TOLGOI IS OPERATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH RESTRICTIONS AUTHORITIES HAVE PUT IN PLACE CONTAIN COVID-19
* RIO TINTO LTD - FULL IMPACT OF SLOWDOWN ON UNDERGROUND PROJECT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME
* RIO TINTO LTD - MINE DESIGN FOR UNDERGROUND PROJECT CURRENTLY REMAINS ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED IN FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR