Rio Tinto media release Web versionhttp://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/1MtPh8dgLhqcH3/wv If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13uUJX8HvG8HHiXJHMU3tds4 25 April 2012 Rio Tinto completes formation of Simandou joint venture with Chalco Click to download full pdf article Download pdf here http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13uULZStTCJl8s3teSedzRJx Rio Tinto and Chinalcos listed subsidiary, Chalco, have completed the formation of their joint venture (JV) to develop and operate the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, following the completion of all Chinese regulatory approvals.

As a result, a consortium led by Chalco has made an earn-in payment of US$1.35 billion, in line with an agreement reached with Rio Tinto in March 2010. Rio Tinto and the Chalco consortium now hold a 53 per cent and 47 per cent interest respectively in the JV which translates into a 50.35 per cent and 44.65 per cent interest in the Simandou project.

The remaining five per cent is held by the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank.

The Government of Guinea retains its options for participation in the project and is expected to take up its first share in the near future. 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 http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13uUO2CghzjYzB9cLXynGw10 directly. Follow us on Twitter http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13uUQ5m2FvUC0KeWj2SxNait Website: www.riotinto.com http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13uUS85P3svfrTkFQ8cHTOzW LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright � 2012 Rio Tinto.

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