Now that Rio Tinto has officially stamped its mark on Ivanhoe Australia , tongues are wagging over the future of its Tennant Creek joint venture with Emmerson Resources .

Ivanhoe has already stumped up about $18 million to progress work at the project, but most think it will prove too small for Rio Tinto’s sights and the remaining $10 million it was slated to spend to earn up to a 70 per cent stake will never be spent.