It is business as usual for Australian mining companies with operations in China, after a Rio Tinto executive was detained in Shanghai on suspicion of spying.
Rio Tinto head of China operations, Australian national Stern Hu, was on Wednesday accused of espionage and stealing state secrets.
He is among four staff from the world's third-largest miner who have been detained since Sunday. The other three staff are Chinese citizens.
The other three were also arrested on charges of stealing state secrets, official Chinese news agency Xinhua said today citing Shanghai state security authorities. Xinhua did not give further details.
Despite speculation the detentions may be linked to the Chinese government's discontent over iron ore negotiations with Australian resources groups or a failed business deal, local miners are taking the events in their stride.
Sino Gold Mining, which has a large presence in China and 1500 staff, said the detention of Mr Hu was not a major concern at present.
"It is not a concern to us currently,'' investor relations manager Roger Howe said. "It is not as if there is any talk from people at our office considering changing their travel plans or anything like that.''
Mining giant BHP Billiton said it was "business as usual'' for dozens of its employees based at its Shanghai office.
"We are continuing to operate as normal in China,'' a spokeswoman said.
Even Rio Tinto's Chinese operations appear to have been little impacted by the detention of Mr Wu and his colleagues.
The China Daily reported trading at Rio Tinto's office in Shanghai appeared normal, although journalists attending the building were told not to take pictures.
Rio Tinto yesterday described the accusations by Chinese authorities against its four staff as "surprising'' and said it was unaware of any evidence to support an investigation.
"We will continue to work to support our employees and their families,'' Rio Tinto said in a statement.
The detention of Mr Hu has the potential to strain relations between Australia and China, with Australian consular officials so far barred from visiting him and no charges being laid.
Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce has linked the detentions to a failed bid by a Chinese state-owned company to invest $US19.5 billion ($25 billion) in various Rio Tinto projects.
The proposal by Chinalco was rejected by Rio Tinto last month.
The decision generated anger in China and followed some concern in Australia at the level of Chinese investment in of key domestic mining assets.
Chinese steel mills have also been in tense negotiations with Rio Tinto over the contract price of iron ore supplies after demanding a deep price cut.
Sshares in Rio Tinto were trading down 80 cents, to $47.40 at midday.
AAP
