Rio Tinto media release Web versionhttp://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/1MtPh89uvioIrP/wv If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1yTk2WCYnQdbFL3VV 5 September 2011 Rio Tinto announces intention to divest shareholding in Palabora Click to download full pdf article Download pdf here http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1yTksaXUbEAsQvmII Rio Tinto has informed the Board of Palabora Mining Company Limited (Palabora) of its intention to divest its 57.7 per cent effective shareholding in the company and has initiated a commercial process to sell its shareholding. Palabora’s principal asset is a copper mine in South Africa, which has a current mine life until early 2016.

Studies are underway for a potential extension of the mine’s life to 2030 but it is no longer of sufficient scale to fit with Rio Tinto’s strategy.

Palabora also owns a magnetite stockpile and the future of value creation at Palabora is likely to involve beneficiation of the magnetite through on-site processing, an activity that is outside Rio Tinto’s strategic focus. Rio Tinto Copper chief executive Andrew Harding said “Rio Tinto is no longer the natural owner of Palabora due to the limited opportunity to significantly expand copper mining.

We believe Palabora has a solid future under an owner who can develop the magnetite business alongside the existing copper and vermiculite operations. “In the meantime Rio Tinto will continue to focus on running the operations efficiently and safely.

We will continue engaging with employees, the South African Government and other stakeholders as the sale process develops and to ensure a smooth transition to a new owner”. About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tintos business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources.

Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore.

Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. Contacts: Media Relations, EMEA / Americas Illtud Harri Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600 Tony Shaffer Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Christina Mills Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154 Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Media Relations, Australia / Asia David Luff Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205 Karen Halbert Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627 Mobile: +61 (0) 412 119 389 Bruce Tobin Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454 Media Relations, Canada Bryan Tucker Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151 Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319 Investor Relations, London Mark Shannon Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1178 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576 597 David Ovington Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Investor Relations, North America Jason Combes Office: +1 (0) 801 204 2919 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645 Investor Relations, Australia Dave Skinner Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 Christopher Maitland Office +61 (0) 3 9283 3063 Mobile +61 (0) 459 800 131 Further information: If you have been forwarded this email, you may wish to click here to signup for our media releases directly. Follow us on Twitter http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1yTkRpiPZsXK1fFvv Website: www.riotinto.com http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1yTlgDDLNhl1bZYii LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright © 2010 Rio Tinto.

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