LONDON (Reuters) - Commodities trader and miner Glencore (>> Glencore PLC) confirmed on Tuesday that it was rebuffed by larger rival Rio Tinto (>> Rio Tinto plc) after contacting the group in July to gauge interest in "some form of merger".

"Glencore confirms that it is no longer actively considering any possible merger transaction with, or offer for the shares of, Rio Tinto," it said in a statement.

Under UK takeover rules Glencore's statement means it is now effectively barred from making a bid for a period of six months.

(Reporting By Clara Ferreira-Marques; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

Stocks treated in this article : Rio Tinto Limited, Glencore PLC, Rio Tinto plc