Rio Tinto: Further update on Simandou

Rio Tinto: Further update on Simandou

Rio Tinto: Further update on Simandou

Rio Tinto has received correspondence from the Guinean Minister of Mines which appears to indicate that the Council of Ministers has instructed the Ministry of Mines and Geology to effect a compulsory relinquishment of the northern half of the Simandou Mining Concession whilst confirming Rio Tinto’s entitlement to the southern half of that Concession.

Rio Tinto has been in active negotiation in good faith with the Government of Guinea since August 2008 following receipt of correspondence from the President of Guinea purporting to rescind the Simandou Mining Concession.

Rio Tinto remains of the view that it has complied with all its obligations in relation to the Concession such that it is entitled to hold and retain the entire Concession, and will continue working in good faith with the Government of Guinea to seek to resolve this matter on that basis.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is 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.

Contacts:

Media Relations London
Christina Mills
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

Nick Cobban
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003

Media Relations, US
Tony Shaffer
Office: +1 202 393 0266
Mobile: +1 202 256 3667

Media Relations, Australia
Ian Head
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101

Amanda Buckley
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349

Investor Relations, London
Nigel Jones
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2049
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365

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

Simon Ellinor
Office: +61 (0) 7 3867 1607
Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811

Further information:

Email: questions@riotinto.com

Website: www.riotinto.com

High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk