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Rio Tinto: Third Quarter 2008 Operations Review

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 October 2008, 09:00 CDT

Chief executive Tom Albanese said: "The long term outlook for Rio Tinto remains positive despite the upheavals in global markets. In the third quarter, our business continued to perform extremely well, breaking yet more production records in iron ore, bauxite, hard coking coal and US coal.

"In the near term, the Chinese economy is pausing for breath. China is not completely insulated from an OECD recession and we will see an impact on Chinese exports. However, the near term slowdown of growth is substantially due to tightening of monetary policy introduced by the Chinese government last year in order to tackle inflation. Furthermore, we expect third quarter economic data to show an exaggerated slowdown, reflecting the postponement of projects during the Olympics. Looking further out, Chinese GDP will remain largely driven by the domestic economy and we expect industrialisation and urbanisation to continue apace with strengthening demand across a range of Rio Tinto products.

"With our cost competitive assets, resilient margins and strong customer base, Rio Tinto is well placed to weather the current economic weakness. Against the backdrop of the current markets, the Group is taking the opportunity to review the near term spending timelines and project costs of its capital expenditure programme, while preserving the optionality of its high quality growth pipeline overall."

-- Record quarterly global production of iron ore, up 17 per cent on the third quarter of 2007.

-- Record quarterly iron ore production in Australia of 48 million tonnes (39 million tonnes on an attributable basis), up 20 per cent (up 17 per cent on attributable basis) compared with the third quarter of 2007.

-- Rio Tinto Alcan continued to perform well with bauxite production up 93 per cent, alumina up by 222 per cent and aluminium up by 371 per cent, compared with the third quarter of 2007, reflecting the acquisition of Alcan in the fourth quarter of 2007. On a proforma basis the respective increases for bauxite and alumina were 11 per cent and two per cent while aluminium declined by one per cent, primarily due to temporary cutbacks at Tiwai Point.

-- Strong recovery in grades at Kennecott Utah Copper was offset by a decline at Escondida, which experienced operational interruptions. This led to an overall decrease in mined copper by seven per cent compared with the third quarter of 2007.

-- Strength in Australian hard coking and thermal coal, with third quarter production up by 40 per cent and eight per cent respectively on the third quarter of 2007.

-- Record production for the US coal business was achieved, up 13 per cent on the third quarter of 2007.

-- Uranium production increased 13 per cent on the same quarter of 2007

-- Continued strong performance from the minerals businesses with borates production up 24 per cent and titanium dioxide feedstocks up 11 per cent on the third quarter of 2007.

All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share, unless otherwise stated

CHINA OUTLOOK

There has been a deceleration in Chinese growth, which is expected to fall from nearly 12% in 2007 to less than 10 per cent this year. The slowdown is a product of tight credit policies in China that were introduced late last year to address inflationary concerns. These are only now being relaxed.

We expect to see Chinese economic data in the third quarter of this year showing an exaggerated economic slowdown because of the 'Olympics effect', with the negative impact falling away in later months. Over time, as economy-wide inventories are dissipated, industrial production and commodity demand can be expected to accelerate. Nevertheless, it now seems clear that any bounce in net demand will be delayed until next year.

The long-foreshadowed deceleration in economic activity has resulted in a marked reduction in Chinese commodity demand growth from the overheated levels we saw in 2007. But we should expect that investment, construction and therefore commodity demand in a fast growing developing economy like China's will have a cyclical pattern around a strong underlying trend.

While apparent demand for steel making raw materials, copper and aluminium has slowed, lower prices mean that Chinese producers are facing margin pressure and should be expected to cut their production. For example, it is likely that the vast majority of Chinese aluminium producers are now making operating losses.

Over 2009, the export sector is expected to come under increased pressure as OECD demand weakens in the wake of the Western credit crisis. However, Chinese investment is expected to start gaining strength on the back of substantial domestic savings and a shift in government policy toward promoting growth objectives. In this context it is worth recalling that net trade contributes only about 6 per cent to GDP while domestic investment contributes more than 40 per cent.

DIVESTMENTS

All the previously announced divestment processes are underway, and are continuing. The primary objective continues to be obtaining appropriate value from the assets highlighted for divestment. Acknowledging the reality of the currently challenging financial markets, the Group is reviewing its timeline for the announcement of the first $10 billion of divestments, which was due to be made in 2008.

FINANCIAL POSITION

The Group's financial position remains sound and its cash flow generation is strong. On 25 June 2008, Rio Tinto announced that it had termed out $5 billion of the Alcan acquisition facility through a bond issuance of fixed interest securities with durations varying from five to twenty years. The details of the rates and maturities were included in the press release at www.riotinto.com/media/5157_7883.asp

Total bonds outstanding for the Group at 30 September 2008 total $9.3 billion, including the $5 billion above. $200 million of this total matures within one year. Rio Tinto elected to extend the term of the Alcan acquisition financing Facility A to October 2009. The Group has no current drawings under any of its $2.3 billion bilateral bank facilities.

Alcan acquisition facility ---------------------------------------------------------------------- US$ billion Original Interest Total facility Amount drawn Maturity amount rate available at at 30 30 September September 2008 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Facility A - 15.0 30 basis 8.9 8.9 22/10/2009 term loan points over LIBOR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Facility B - 10.0 35 basis 10.0 10.0 25/10/2010 revolving points credit over LIBOR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Facility C - 5.0 40 basis 5.0 0.4 25/10/2012 revolving points credit over LIBOR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Facility D - 10.0 40 basis 10.0 10.0 27/12/2012 term loan points over LIBOR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 40.0 33.9 29.3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

A complete filing of the US$ 40 billion Facility Agreement was made on 12 July 2007 with the SEC: www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4285/000104746907005826/a2178944zex-99 _b1.htm (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

IRON ORE

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 vs Q2 9 mths vs 9 mths 07 08 08 07 Hamersley 30,822 +14% +3% 87,832 +11% Hope Downs 1,536 n/a -11% 3,807 n/a Robe River 6,979 +9% -3% 21,381 +8% IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,493 +5% +4% 7,014 +27% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pilbara operations

By the end of the third quarter, Rio Tinto had sold 12.5 million tonnes of iron ore (on a 100 per cent basis) on the spot market during 2008 (three quarters 100 per cent owned operations, one quarter joint venture operations). Further sales into the spot market will depend on the level of prices available.

Total third quarter production of 48 million tonnes (39 million tonnes on an attributable basis) was a 20 per cent increase (17 per cent on an attributable basis) on the same quarter of 2007, demonstrating progress in de-bottlenecking and the start up of expansion projects. The new Hope Downs mine produced more than three million tonnes for the second consecutive quarter, and, with the rapid advance of the Hope Downs South expansion, is ramping up towards 30 million tonne per annum capacity (15 million tonnes on an attributable basis).

These results were achieved despite significant disruption caused by the major shutdown of Car Dumper 2 at Cape Lambert port for almost three weeks. The safe and rapid recovery of the dumper curtailed production losses to less than one million tonnes.

Evidence of the success of debottlenecking projects was seen with rail operations consistently performing at a 200 million tonne per annum run-rate. With the expansion of Cape Lambert port operations ahead of schedule, these rates should provide the ability for early improvements in shipped tonnages.

Expansion projects are proceeding well. The Hope Downs South mine expansion, the engineering for the new Mesa A mine, the early construction and earth works at the future Brockman 4, the power systems upgrade and the automated train operations project are all on or ahead of schedule. The 220 million tonne per annum upgrade is approaching the last stage, with work on the Cape Lambert wharf extension being finalised. Commissioning of the new reclaimer commenced, and the new shiploader is expected in the next month.

Expected production in the Pilbara in 2008 is between 190 and 195 million tonnes on a 100 per cent basis.

HIsmelt

HIsmelt returned to production on 22nd September to 3rd October after the installation of significant modifications.

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

In September 2008 Rio Tinto approved the $193 million (Rio Tinto share $102 million) expansion of the magnetite plant at IOC to an annual capacity of 22.8 million tonnes. A further approval of $75 million (Rio Tinto share $44 million) was granted for completion of a feasibility study on the third-phase expansion, to extend annual capacity to 26 million tonnes, and to purchase long-lead items. A total of $768 million has now been committed to the IOC expansions (Rio Tinto share $451 million).

Rio Tinto Brasil

In July Rio Tinto approved an investment of $2.15 billion in a major expansion of its iron ore mine in Corumba, Brazil, boosting annual capacity of the mine from two million tonnes per annum to 12.8 million tonnes, with new production commencing in the fourth quarter of 2010. This is a project capable of further expansion and opening up the Atlantic basin to Corumba's high quality, direct reduction lump product.

ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Rio Tinto Alcan Bauxite 9,023 +93% +5% 26,347 +99% Alumina 2,187 +222% -3% 6,673 +230% Aluminium 1,012 +371% -0% 3,051 +377% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 07 Q3 08 vs 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 07 Q3 07 Rio Tinto Alcan proforma(1) proforma(1) proforma(1) proforma(1) Bauxite 8,102 +11% 23,165 +14% Alumina 2,151 +2% 6,246 +7% Aluminium 1,020(2) -1%(2) 3,032(2) +1%(2) ----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Includes Alcan data from 1 January 2007.

(2) Excludes Vlissingen (Netherlands,) which was divested in the first half of 2007 and Lannemezan (France) which was closed in the first quarter of 2008.

Third quarter production records were set across the board in the aluminium product group, and production of bauxite, alumina and aluminium increased sharply compared with the same quarter of 2007, reflecting the Alcan acquisition. Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007 and its production is included from that date. Proforma Rio Tinto Alcan production data for 2007 was published on 12 March 2008 and can be found on the Rio Tinto website.

Bauxite

Third quarter bauxite production was 93 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2007 and 11 per cent higher on a proforma basis. Third quarter bauxite production at Weipa was six per cent above the same quarter of 2007, reflecting increased capacity to support external demand as well as additional internal requirements.

Alumina

Third quarter alumina production was 222 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2007 and two per cent higher on a proforma basis.

A temporary blockage in the residue pipeline at the Yarwun alumina refinery during the quarter resulted in curtailed operations and 113 thousand tonnes of lost production. Opportunistic maintenance was conducted on the refinery which resumed full production by the end of August. At Gove slower commissioning has led to a revision of the 2008 production target to 2.4 million tonnes.

Aluminium

Third quarter aluminium production was 371 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2007 and one per cent lower on a proforma basis. Capacity creep at many of the Group's smelters, particularly in Canada, largely offset production cutbacks at the Tiwai Point smelter in New Zealand due to low rainfall and at Anglesey Aluminium due to a localised fire in June. Full power output is expected to be restored at Tiwai Point within eight to ten weeks and the restart of Anglesey Aluminium is well underway. The Sohar start-up is proceeding on budget.

In light of current market weakness, whilst most of the Rio Tinto Alcan smelters are in the lower end of the cost curve, the Group is reviewing production rates at the higher cost smelting units, which may lead to production curtailment.

COPPER

Rio Tinto share of production ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths vs 9 mths 08 07 Kennecott Utah Copper Mined copper (000 tonnes) 69.3 +40% +15% 174.2 +9% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 40.6 -41% -18% 142.0 -31% Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 2.9 -15% +32% 8.6 -28% Mined gold (000 ozs) 111 +26% +21% 272 -14% Refined gold (000 ozs) 77 -40% +5% 231 -41% Escondida Mined copper (000 tonnes) 73.2 -28% -43% 318.5 +0% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 18.6 +15% -12% 55.3 -1% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kennecott Utah Copper

A return to higher copper grades in the third quarter, as planned, resulted in significantly higher mined production compared with both the previous quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2007. Gold and silver grades recovered from previous quarters in line with copper.

Changes in the mining sequence resulted in lower molybdenum grades and production compared with the same quarter of 2007. Molybdenum production for the full year 2008 is expected to be approximately 30 per cent below 2007 following a decline in grades and recoveries.

Decreases in copper and gold refined production followed a 19 day scheduled refinery shutdown in July 2008 and an 11 day scheduled smelter maintenance shutdown in August 2008. The improvement in mined copper is expected to provide greater availability of concentrate with the smelter and refinery therefore expected to operate at higher rates in the fourth quarter. Higher mined grades take approximately three months to flow through to refined production.

Escondida

Mined copper for the quarter declined by 28 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2007, following a significant decline in ore grade.

During the third quarter the Laguna Seca SAG mill suffered a number of shut downs due to electrical problems affecting the mills drive mechanism. Force majeure was declared on some deliveries of copper concentrate on 10 October. The shut down resulted in ten days of downtime of the mill and adversely impacted copper production by approximately 10,000 tonnes (100 per cent basis). The electrical issues will require a reduction in the voltage of the motor which will translate into a loss of production of about 15 per cent until the long term solution to the electrical issues can be implemented, which is currently expected to take nine months. Escondida has established changes to the mill operations to allow for rapid maintenance and minimise the impact of further production stoppages.

Grasberg

Third quarter Grasberg production numbers are estimates. The year to date numbers include first and second quarter actual production and third quarter estimates. Freeport releases its actual 100 per cent operating data for the third quarter on 21 October 2008.

Other operations

Copper grades at Northparkes recovered as the underground E26 Lift 2 North ramped up to full production, displacing the lower grade open cut material. Northparkes production for 2008 is expected to be more than 40 per cent below 2007.

Copper in concentrate produced at Palabora was 14 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2007 and 35 per cent lower than the second quarter. The variance with the second quarter is due to a combination of a reduction in smelter secondary material processed and no reclaimed low grade concentrate.

DIAMONDS

Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Argyle 4,659 -4% +56% 9,823 -23% Diavik 1,393 -26% -8% 3,977 -26% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Third quarter production at Argyle declined slightly on the same quarter of 2007 but was 56 per cent higher than the previous quarter following the re-establishment of access to the high grade areas of the pit. This resulted in improved feed grade and higher throughput. Variability in feed grades and production rates will continue as the open pit approaches the end of its life and the mine transitions to an underground operation.

Third quarter production at Diavik was 26 per cent below the same quarter of 2007, primarily as a result of the overall reduction in grade that commenced in the fourth quarter of 2007, with the introduction of low grade, mud rich ore from the opening levels of the A418 pipe, as well as a higher volume of A418 ore being processed. The ongoing optimisation programme at Diavik continues to add value to this high quality asset.

ENERGY

US thermal coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Rio Tinto Energy America 35,139 +13% +14% 96,717 +5% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Record third quarter US coal production was the result of strong customer demand for Powder River Basin coal supported by incremental expansion in Rio Tinto Energy America's mines. Coal shipments recovered from the severe weather conditions experienced in the second quarter

Australian coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Rio Tinto Coal Australia Hard coking coal 2,187 +40% +7% 5,268 +14% Other coal 5,367 +8% -3% 16,357 +8% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hard coking coal production from the Queensland coal operations increased by 40 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2007 when severe port constraints were experienced. In addition, higher production was achieved at Kestrel following focused operational improvements.

In the Hunter Valley, production of semi soft coal increased compared with the third quarter of 2007 to take advantage of stronger prices. Vessel queues in New South Wales have reduced allowing production to be in line with allocations.

An investment programme by the owners and operators of the coal ports at Newcastle and Dalrymple Bay on the eastern seaboard of Australia is expected to increase capacity modestly in the remainder of 2008 and into 2009, followed by a major expansion of coal shipping capacity at Newcastle in 2010.

Uranium Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Energy Resources of 1,905 -4% +16% 5,559 -3% Australia Rossing 1,601 +42% +6% 4,442 +31% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Access to higher grade ores at ERA was re-established during the quarter with a resultant recovery in production levels compared with the second quarter.

Higher grades at Rossing led to a 42 per cent improvement in production in the third quarter of 2008 compared with the same quarter of 2007, when a stripping campaign was being carried out.

MINERALS

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 08 vs Q3 07 vs Q2 08 9 mths 08 vs 9 mths 07 Borates 166 +24% -3% 490 +20% Titanium dioxide 394 +11% -3% 1,155 +7% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Third quarter borates production rose by 24 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2007, with strong demand in Asia Pacific and Europe driving the processing plants to maximum capacity.

Titanium dioxide production increased by 11 percent compared with the same quarter of 2007 as the UGS plant reached record production levels.

Third quarter salt production of 1.9 million tonnes set a quarterly record.

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first nine months of 2008 was $661 million compared with $348 million in the same period of 2007 with most of the increase attributable to the advanced evaluation studies on major growth projects. Pre-feasibility or feasibility work progressed on a number of these projects including Resolution (copper/gold, US), La Granja (copper, Peru), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina), Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) and several Pilbara iron ore deposits. This continues the momentum of the Group's organic growth pipeline in its iron ore business in Western Australia.

In August 2008 Rio Tinto approved an investment of $652 million (Rio Tinto share $341 million) to support continued pre-feasibility studies on a large, Tier 1 copper deposit at its Resolution Copper operation in Arizona. Pre-feasibility studies are expected to be completed by 2012 with production at the new mine expected to start by 2020, with a targeted maximum production rate of 500,000 tonnes per annum of copper.

Delineation drilling continued on the Tamarack South nickel copper prospect at Lakeview in Minnesota. The programme is on-track to publish an inferred resource by year-end.

Drilling commenced at the Crowsnest coking coal property in British Columbia with two holes completed to date. Seismic surveys suggest minimal disruption of the multiple coal seams intersected in the two holes.

Potash exploration drilling commenced at Regina in Saskatchewan with two holes completed during the quarter. All three potash beds mined elsewhere in Saskatchewan are present in the drill holes. Assay results are awaited and the drilling programme continues.

A summary of activity for the period is as follows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Product Group Advanced projects Greenfield programmes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Aluminium Australia, Brazil, Guyana ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copper and Tamarack nickel-copper, Copper: Ongoing field Diamonds US: Order of Magnitude work on the CODELCO JV Study on-track for year- in Chile, the RioNor JV end completion at in Russia and in Tamarack South. Kazakhstan, the US, Bunder diamonds, India: Mexico, Peru and Handover to Rio Tinto Argentina. Diamonds on-track for Diamonds: Early-stage fourth quarter. exploration continued in India, Canada, Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy & Minerals Altai Nuur coal, Mongolia Coal: Drilling programmes Order of Magnitude Study planned or underway in ongoing. Argentina, Colombia, Chilubane and Mutamba Canada, South Africa, ilmenite, Mozambique; Russia and Mongolia. Jadar lithium borates, Industrial minerals: Serbia: Order of Ongoing potash and trona Magnitude Studies on- exploration in track for year-end Australia, Canada and completion. Turkey. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Iron Ore Pilbara, Australia: Brazil. Delineation drilling continued at several advanced prospects. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses including Kennecott Utah Copper, Northparkes, Energy Resources of Australia, Rossing, Diavik and Pilbara Iron. A major new exploration programme commenced on Rio Tinto Coal Australia properties.

In August 2008, Rio Tinto completed the sale of the Kintyre uranium project located in Western Australia to a joint venture comprising Cameco Corporation and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd for $495 million.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed public company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto's present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period, levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Takeover Code"), the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share.

Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty (either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values, anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.

Rio Tinto production summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto share of production QUARTER 9 MONTHS % CHANGE 9 mths Q3 Q3 08 08 08 vs vs vs 9 Principal 2007 2008 2008 Q3 Q2 mths Commodities Q3 Q2 Q3 2007 2008 07 08 07 -------------------- --------------- --------------- Alumina ('000 t) 679 2,266 2,187 2,024 6,673 222% -3% 230% Aluminium ('000 t) 215 1,014 1,012 640 3,051 371% 0% 377% Bauxite ('000 t) 4,676 8,567 9,023 13,225 26,347 93% 5% 99% Borates ('000 t) 134 171 166 408 490 24% -3% 20% Coal - hard ('000 coking t) coal 1,564 2,038 2,187 4,635 5,268 40% 7% 14% Coal - ('000 other t) Australian 4,983 5,542 5,367 15,117 16,357 8% -3% 8% Coal - US ('000 t) 31,024 30,947 35,139 91,699 96,717 13% 14% 5% Copper - ('000 mined t) 172.5 210.2 160.0 557.1 551.3 -7% -24% -1% Copper - ('000 refined t) 98.7 82.8 68.9 301.0 230.0 -30% -17% -24% Diamonds ('000 cts) 6,770 4,557 6,110 18,216 13,962 -10% 34% -23% Iron ore ('000 t) 36,390 41,860 42,404 105,751 121,635 17% 1% 15% Titanium ('000 dioxide t) feedstock 356 405 394 1,075 1,155 11% -3% 7% Uranium ('000 lbs) 3,105 3,149 3,507 9,112 10,001 13% 11% 10% -------------------- --------------- --------------- Other Metals & Minerals -------------------- --------------- --------------- Gold - ('000 mined ozs) 269 114 130 745 337 -51% 14% -55% Gold - ('000 refined ozs) 128 73 77 390 231 -40% 5% -41% Molybdenum ('000 t) 3.5 2.2 2.9 11.9 8.6 -15% 32% -28% Pig Iron ('000 t) 29 41 2 42 55 -92% -94% 30% Salt ('000 t) 1,480 1,276 1,879 3,555 4,412 27% 47% 24% Silver - ('000 mined ozs) 1,765 1,477 1,603 5,224 4,264 -9% 9% -18% Silver - ('000 refined ozs) 1,164 903 743 3,048 2,575 -36% -18% -16% Talc ('000 t) 318 337 290 997 969 -9% -14% -3% -------------------- --------------- ---------------

Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page. Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the nine month figures.

Rio Tinto share of production ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9 Tinto MTHS MTHS interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Gardanne (a) 100% - 21 21 5 11 - 37 Gove (a) 100% - 405 554 589 567 - 1,710 Jonquiere (a) 100% - 252 327 327 357 - 1,012 Queensland Alumina (a) (b) 80% 377 662 756 773 754 1,104 2,284 Sao Luis (Alumar) (a) 10% - 29 38 39 35 - 111 Yarwun 100% 301 339 348 327 269 920 944 Speciality alumina plants (a) 100% - 144 176 206 193 - 575 ---------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total alumina production 679 1,853 2,220 2,266 2,187 2,024 6,673 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINIUM (c) Refined production ('000 tonnes) Australia - Bell Bay 100% 45 45 44 45 44 132 133 Australia - Boyne Island 59% 81 82 82 82 83 243 247 Australia - Tomago (a) 52% - 50 66 67 69 - 202 Cameroon - Alucam (Edea) (a) 47% - 9 9 10 12 - 31 Canada - seven wholly owned (a) 100% - 270 360 356 358 - 1,074 Canada - Alouette (a) 40% - 44 57 57 57 - 171 Canada - Becancour (a) 25% - 20 25 26 27 - 77 China - Ningxia (Qingtongxia) (a) 50% - 15 20 20 20 - 61 France - three wholly owned (a) 100% - 80 102 98 97 - 297 Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik) (a) 100% - 35 46 46 47 - 139 New Zealand - Tiwai Point (a) 79% 70 70 69 65 61 208 195 Norway - SORAL (Husnes) (a) 50% - 16 21 21 21 - 64 Oman - Sohar (d) 20% - - - - 1.5 - 1.5 UK - two wholly owned (a) 100% - 42 55 55 55 - 166 UK - Anglesey 51% 19 19 19 16 9 56 44 USA - Sebree (a) 100% - 37 49 49 50 - 148 ---------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total aluminium production 215 834 1,025 1,014 1,012 640 3,051 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BAUXITE Production ('000 tonnes) Awaso (a) (e) 80% - 173 164 128 168 - 460 Sangaredi (f) (a) - 1,248 1,770 1,511 1,610 - 4,891 Gove (a) 100% - 985 1,327 1,529 1,734 - 4,590 Porto Trombetas (a) 12% - 407 491 518 565 - 1,574 Weipa (g) 100% 4,676 4,984 5,005 4,881 4,947 13,225 14,833 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total bauxite production 4,676 7,797 8,757 8,567 9,023 13,225 26,347 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BORATES Production ('000 tonnes B(2)O(3) content) Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100% 134 151 153 171 166 408 490 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COAL - HARD COKING Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes) Hail Creek Coal 82% 864 1,090 663 1,429 1,361 3,020 3,453 Kestrel Coal 80% 700 454 380 609 825 1,615 1,815 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production 1,564 1,544 1,043 2,038 2,187 4,635 5,268 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COAL - OTHER (h) Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes) Bengalla 30% 422 417 319 487 393 1,144 1,198 Blair Athol Coal 71% 1,374 1,023 1,808 1,719 1,799 4,622 5,326 Hunter Valley Operations 76% 1,774 2,047 2,139 2,201 1,722 5,596 6,062 Kestrel Coal 80% 261 145 110 197 226 684 534 Mount Thorley Operations 61% 396 625 432 284 730 1,145 1,446 Warkworth 42% 756 504 641 653 496 1,926 1,791 -------------------------------------------------- Total Australian other coal 4,983 4,760 5,449 5,542 5,367 15,117 16,357 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto Energy America ('000 tonnes) Antelope 100% 7,601 8,292 7,958 7,951 8,374 22,975 24,283 Colowyo (g) 1,280 1,232 1,001 1,045 1,190 3,846 3,235 Cordero Rojo 100% 8,622 9,996 9,200 8,077 9,709 26,716 26,985 Decker 50% 833 809 740 765 785 2,361 2,290 Jacobs Ranch 100% 8,750 8,801 7,904 9,255 10,772 25,764 27,931 Spring Creek 100% 3,938 4,254 3,829 3,855 4,311 10,037 11,994 -------------------------------------------------- Total US coal 31,024 33,384 30,632 30,947 35,139 91,699 96,717 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total other coal production 36,006 38,144 36,080 36,488 40,506 106,817 113,074 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COPPER Mine production ('000 tonnes) (j) Bingham Canyon 100% 49.5 53.0 44.7 60.2 69.3 159.2 174.2 Escondida 30% 101.2 103.8 117.2 128.1 73.2 317.9 318.5 Grasberg - Joint Venture (k) 40% 7.5 9.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 18.9 7.2 Northparkes 80% 5.6 5.3 4.1 4.4 5.2 29.2 13.8 Palabora 58% 8.7 9.3 12.8 15.1 9.9 31.9 37.7 ------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total mine production 172.5 180.8 185.2 214.9 165.9 557.1 566.0 ------------------------------------------- Refined production ('000 tonnes) Escondida 30% 16.1 15.8 15.7 21.0 18.6 55.7 55.3 Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 68.7 59.3 52.1 49.3 40.6 206.3 142.0 Palabora 58% 13.8 13.8 10.5 12.4 9.8 39.0 32.8 ------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total refined production 98.7 89.0 78.3 82.8 68.9 301.0 230.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Argyle 100% 4,865 5,995 2,172 2,992 4,659 12,749 9,823 Diavik 60% 1,874 1,766 1,071 1,513 1,393 5,399 3,977 Murowa 78% 31 46 52 52 58 67 163 ------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total diamond production 6,770 7,807 3,296 4,557 6,110 18,216 13,962 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GOLD Mine production ('000 ounces) (j) Barneys Canyon 100% 3 2 2 1 1 8 4 Bingham Canyon 100% 86 88 67 91 110 309 268 Escondida 30% 14 14 12 11 9 42 32 Grasberg - Joint Venture (k) 40% 149 103 - - - 320 - Northparkes 80% 12 13 8 6 6 50 20 Rawhide 51% 2 2 2 2 2 8 6 Others - 3 3 2 2 2 8 6 ------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total mine production 269 225 93 114 130 745 337 ------------------------------------------- Refined production ('000 ounces) Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 128 133 81 73 77 390 231 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IRON ORE & IRON Production ('000 tonnes) (j) Corumba 100% 528 365 508 519 575 1,413 1,602 Hamersley - six wholly owned mines 100% 23,990 25,799 23,731 26,113 26,653 68,767 76,496 Hamersley - Channar 60% 1,554 1,448 1,484 1,686 1,880 4,881 5,050 Hamersley (i) - Eastern Range 1,562 1,535 1,801 2,195 2,289 5,397 6,286 Hope Downs(m) 50% 32 538 1,732 1,536 - 3,807 Iron Ore Company of Canada 59% 2,376 2,248 2,119 2,402 2,493 5,520 7,014 RobeRiver 53% 6,381 7,529 7,189 7,212 6,979 19,773 21,381 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total mine production 36,390 38,956 37,371 41,860 42,404 105,751 121,635 -------------------------------------------------- Pig iron production ('000 tonnes) HIsmelt(R) 60% 29 27 11 41 2 42 55 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MOLYBDENUM Mine production ('000 tonnes) Bingham Canyon 100% 3.5 3.0 3.4 2.2 2.9 11.9 8.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SALT Production ('000 tonnes) Rio Tinto Minerals - salt (n) 68% 1,480 1,686 1,257 1,276 1,879 3,555 4,412 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SILVER Mine production ('000 ounces) (j) Bingham Canyon 100% 757 892 616 855 1,011 2,595 2,481 Escondida 30% 670 536 494 507 406 1,825 1,408 Grasberg - Joint Venture (k) 40% 210 154 - - - 323 - Others - 127 121 74 115 109 480 298 -------------------------------------------------- Rio Tinto total mine production 1,765 1,703 1,184 1,477 1,603 5,224 4,264 -------------------------------------------------- Refined production ('000 ounces) Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 1,164 1,317 929 903 743 3,048 2,575 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TALC Production ('000 tonnes) Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 100% 318 284 342 337 290 997 969 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK Production ('000 tonnes) Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 356 384 356 405 394 1,075 1,155 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9 MTHS Tinto MTHS interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- URANIUM Production ('000 lbs U(3)O(8)) Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,980 2,288 2,011 1,643 1,905 5,723 5,559 Rossing 69% 1,126 1,216 1,335 1,505 1,601 3,389 4,442 ------------------------------------------ Rio Tinto total uranium production 3,105 3,504 3,346 3,149 3,507 9,112 10,001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Production data notes (a) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name. (b) Rio Tinto held a 38.6% share in QAL until 24 October 2007; this increased to 80.0% following the Alcan acquisition (c) Following a review of the basis for reporting aluminium smelter production tonnes, the data reported now reflects hot metal production rather than saleable product tonnes. (d) Production at the Sohar smelter commenced in the third quarter of 2008. (e) Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production (f) Rio Tinto has a 22.9% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement. (g) Includes beneficiated and calcined bauxite production. (h) Coal - other includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal. (i) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (j) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of saleable quantities of ore plus pellets. (k) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. Rio Tinto's share of production reflects an estimate of production for the first nine months of 2008 since the allocation to Rio Tinto is still under review following the September small scale failure in the pit. (l) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture. (m) Hope Downs started production in the fourth quarter of 2007 (n) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to 68.4% at the beginning of July 2007.

The Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008.

Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as footnoted above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average interest over the relevant periods.

Where Rio Tinto has wholly divested an operation, no data is included in the Share of Production tables.

Rio Tinto operational data ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINIUM Rio Tinto Alcan (a) Bauxite Mines Bauxite production ('000 tonnes) Australia Gove mine - Northern Territory (a) 100.0% - 985 1,327 1,529 1,734 - 4,590 Weipa mine - Queensland (b) 100.0% 4,676 4,984 5,005 4,881 4,947 13,225 14,833 Brazil Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine (a) 12.0% - 3,392 4,093 4,314 4,706 - 13,113 Ghana Awaso mine (a) (c) 80.0% - 216 205 160 209 - 574 Guinea Sangaredi mine (a) (d) 22.9% - 2,774 3,934 3,357 3,578 - 10,869 Rio Tinto Alcan share of bauxite shipments Share of bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 4,774 6,682 8,171 8,515 9,125 13,195 25,811 Smelter-Grade Alumina Refineries Alumina production ('000 tonnes) Australia Gove refinery - Northern Territory (a) 100.0% - 405 554 589 567 - 1,710 Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland (a) (e) 80.0% 977 956 945 967 943 2,860 2,855 Yarwun refinery - Queensland 100.0% 301 339 348 327 269 920 944 Brazil Sao Luis (Alumar) refinery (a) 10.0% - 288 379 387 347 - 1,113 Canada Jonquiere refinery - Quebec (a) 100.0% - 252 327 327 357 - 1,012 France Gardanne refinery (a) 100.0% - 21 21 5 11 - 37 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9 Tinto MTHS MTHS interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINIUM (continued) Specialty Alumina Plants Speciality alumina production ('000 tonnes) Canada Brockville plant - Quebec (a) 100.0% - 3 4 4 4 - 13 Jonquiere plant - Quebec (a) 100.0% - 22 31 32 30 - 93 France Beyrede plant (a) 100.0% - 6 7 7 7 - 21 Gardanne plant (a) 100.0% - 102 116 149 137 - 402 La Bathie plant (a) 100.0% - 5 9 8 8 - 25 Germany Teutschenthal plant (a) 100.0% - 6 8 5 7 - 20

(a) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name. (b) For Weipa, beneficiated and calcined production, previously shown separately, are now shown on one row (c) Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production (d) Rio Tinto has a 22.9% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement. (e) Rio Tinto held a 38.6% share in QAL until 24 October 2007; this increased to 80.0% following the Alcan acquisition ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9 Tinto MTHS MTHS interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINIUM (continued) Aluminium Smelters (a) Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) Australia Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania 100.0% 45 45 44 45 44 132 133 Boyne Island smelter - Queensland 59.4% 137 139 138 138 140 409 416 Tomago smelter - New South Wales (b) 51.6% - 97 127 131 133 - 391 Cameroon Alucam (Edea) smelter (b) 46.7% - 19 20 21 25 - 67 Canada Alma smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 80 107 104 104 - 315 Alouette (Sept-Iles) smelter - Quebec (b) 40.0% - 109 142 142 143 - 428 Arvida smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 32 42 43 43 - 129 Beauharnois, smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 10 13 12 12 - 37 Becancour smelter - Quebec (b) 25.1% - 80 100 103 106 - 309 Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 40 52 53 53 - 158 Kitimat smelter - British Colombia (b) 100.0% - 47 63 61 61 - 186 Laterriere smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 44 58 58 59 - 175 Shawinigan smelter - Quebec (b) 100.0% - 18 25 25 25 - 75 China Ningxia (Qingtongxia) smelter (b) 50.0% - 31 41 40 41 - 122 France Dunkerque smelter (b) 100.0% - 49 62 65 64 - 191 Lannemezan smelter (b) (c) 100.0% - 5 5 - - - 5 St-Jean-de Maurienne smelter (b) 100.0% - 25 34 33 33 - 100 Iceland ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter (b) 100.0% - 35 46 46 47 - 139 New Zealand Tiwai Point smelter 79.4% 89 89 87 82 77 263 245 Norway SORAL (Husnes) smelter (b) 50.0% - 32 43 42 43 - 128 Oman Sohar smelter (c) 51.0% - - - - 8 - 8 United Kingdom Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0% 37 37 37 32 18 110 86 Lochaber smelter (b) 100.0% - 8 11 11 11 - 33 Lynemouth smelter (b) 100.0% - 33 44 44 44 - 133 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9 Tinto MTHS MTHS interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALUMINIUM (continued) USA Sebree smelter - Kentucky (b) 100.0% - 37 49 49 50 - 148 Rio Tinto Alcan share of metal sales Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 211 1,031 1,273 1,320 1,282 632 3,875

(a) Following a review of the basis for reporting aluminium smelter production tonnes, the data reported now reflects hot metal production rather than saleable product tonnes. (b) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name. (c) Production at the Sohar smelter commenced in the third quarter of 2008. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

BORATES Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100.0% California, US and Argentina Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 134 151 153 171 166 408 490 (a) Production is expressed as B(2)O(3) content. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL Rio Tinto Coal Australia Bengalla mine 30.3% New South Wales, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,394 1,376 1,053 1,607 1,296 3,779 3,956 Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2% Queensland, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,929 1,436 2,538 2,413 2,525 6,488 7,476 Hail Creek Coal mine 82.0% Queensland, Australia Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,259 1,054 1,329 808 1,743 1,660 3,683 Hunter Valley Operations 75.7% New South Wales, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,883 2,046 2,143 1,830 1,645 6,219 5,618 Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 381 460 657 683 1,078 629 1,173 Kestrel Coal mine 80.0% Queensland, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 326 181 138 247 283 854 668 Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 875 567 475 762 1,032 2,019 2,269 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COAL (continued) Mount Thorley Operations 60.6% New South Wales, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 261 731 382 428 919 1,198 1,728 Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 393 302 332 41 287 693 Tarong Coal mine (a) 0.0% Queensland, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 872 881 262 - - 3,629 262 Warkworth mine 42.1% New South Wales, Australia Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,663 1,197 1,522 1,507 965 4,178 3,994 Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 133 - 1 46 215 400 262 ------------------------------------------------ Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,929 1,896 1,284 2,504 2,692 5,702 6,480 ------------------------------------------------ Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 1,580 1,962 1,245 2,133 2,618 4,962 5,996 ------------------------------------------------ Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (c) 9,314 8,808 9,052 9,196 8,765 28,611 27,012 ------------------------------------------------ Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e) 9,322 9,892 9,459 8,888 9,173 30,211 27,520 ------------------------------------------------ Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 11,243 10,704 10,336 11,700 11,457 34,312 33,493 ------------------------------------------------ Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 10,902 11,854 10,703 11,021 11,792 35,172 33,517 ------------------------------------------------ Rio Tinto Coal Australia share ------------------------------------------------ Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,285 1,600 1,015 1,740 2,129 4,038 4,883 ------------------------------------------------ Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (c) (d) 5,937 6,285 5,994 5,459 5,630 19,912 17,082 ------------------------------------------------

(a) Some Kestrel thermal coal is blended with and sold as coking coal. (b) Rio Tinto sold its 100% share in Tarong with an effective date of 31 January 2008 and production data are shown up to that date. (c) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal. (d) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal). (e) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COAL (continued) Rio Tinto Energy America Antelope mine 100.0% Wyoming, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,601 8,292 7,958 7,951 8,374 22,975 24,283 Colowyo mine (a) Colorado, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,280 1,232 1,001 1,045 1,190 3,846 3,235 Cordero Rojo mine 100.0% Wyoming, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,622 9,996 9,200 8,077 9,709 26,716 26,985 Decker mine 50.0% Montana, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,666 1,618 1,480 1,530 1,570 4,722 4,579 Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0% Wyoming, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,750 8,801 7,904 9,255 10,772 25,764 27,931 Spring Creek mine 100.0% Montana, US Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,938 4,254 3,829 3,855 4,311 10,037 11,994 Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 31,857 34,192 31,372 31,711 35,924 94,060 99,007 Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 32,165 33,891 31,393 31,301 35,904 94,369 98,598

(a) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS Tinto interest 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COPPER & GOLD Escondida 30.0% Chile Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) 22,406 21,777 22,029 24,491 20,416 68,920 66,935 Average copper grade (%) 1.63 1.72 1.56 1.55 1.32 1.61 1.48 Mill production (metals in concentrates): Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 305.2 316.8 284.7 312.7 208.6 929.9 806.1 Contained gold ('000 ounces) 48 45 39 38 31 141 108 Contained silver ('000 ounces) 2,234 1,786 1,647 1,691 1,355 6,084 4,693 Ore to leach ('000 tonnes) 7,329 3,723 19,156 28,570 5,064 31,273 52,791 Average copper grade (%) 0.44 0.78 0.55 0.40 0.70 0.41 0.48 Contained copper in leachate/ mined material ('000 tonnes) 32 29 106 114 35 130 256 Refined production from leach plants: Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) 54 53 52 70 62 186 184 Freeport- McMoRan Copper & Gold 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion) Grasberg mine (a) Papua, Indonesia Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 18,267 19,195 16,363 16,683 17,755 58,398 50,801 Average mill head grades: Copper (% 0.58 0.65 0.70 0.75 0.82 0.88 0.76 Gold (g/t) 0.70 0.52 0.61 0.54 0.61 1.47 0.59 Silver (g/t) 2.91 2.77 3.28 3.24 3.14 3.78 3.22 Production of metals in concentrates: Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 90.8 107.1 100.8 111.1 128.9 462.3 340.7 Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 336 254 253 228 273 2,435 754 Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 693 875 979 1,024 1,102 4,362 3,105 Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b) Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 96.9 91.5 101.1 110.3 128.2 448.5 339.6 Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 383 220 253 235 271 2,371 760 Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 598 585 784 819 873 3,372 2,476

(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. The 3Q 2008 results are estimates and the nine months 2008 results include the 1Q 2008 and 2Q 2008 actuals and 3Q 2008 estimates. FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 3Q 2008 until the release of its 2008 third quarter and nine month results on 21 October 2008. (b) Net of smelter deductions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless oth

Source: Business Wire

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