Chinalco says Rio Tinto staff arrest not connected

SYDNEY, July 10 (Reuters) - China's state-owned Chinalco, Rio Tinto's single largest shareholder (RIO.L) (RIO.AX), said on Friday the arrest of Rio employees in China was unrelated to any dealings between the two companies.

"Chinalco has been in contact with Rio Tinto expressing our mutual concern for the current situation with their staff," Chinalco said in a statement.

"We have also reasserted that the situation is in no way related to any commercial dealings between Rio and Chinalco."