EU antitrust regulators will announce shortly the result of an investigation into a proposed joint venture by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

The European Commission said that "The Commission will communicate shortly to the parties the outcome of its preliminary investigation.”

Ms Amelia Torres a European Commission spokeswoman said that the two miners will meet EU antitrust regulators by the end of this month to help the European Commission reach a decision on their planned USD 116 billion iron ore production joint venture in Western Australia.

The Commission is examining the scheme to see if it is anti-competitive before deciding whether to clear it.

(Sourced from Reuters)