Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) said Wednesday it has received clearance from the Canadian Competition Bureau for its 654 million Canadian dollar (US$629 million) bid for Hathor Exploration Ltd. (HAT.T), a junior exploration company with uranium assets in northern Saskatchewan.

The Commissioner of Competition issued a "no action letter," which signals compliance with all requirements of the Competition Act, for the C$4.70 a share offer, the Anglo-Australian mining giant said in a statement.

Rio last week sweetened its bid, pitching it at a premium to a hostile C$4.50 a share bid from Cameco Corp. (CCJ), the world's largest producer of uranium. Hathor's board supports Rio's offer, which is set to close Nov. 30.

Hathor's shares have been trading above the price offered by Rio, which analysts have said supports the view Cameco will counter with a higher bid, and were last trading at C$5.03.

-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +61 3 9292 2094; robb.stewart@dowjones.com

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