Rio Tinto: Shanghai employees - update 5

Rio Tinto: Shanghai employees – update 5

Rio Tinto: Shanghai employees – update 5

Rio Tinto has been advised that the People’s Procuratorate has transferred the case relating to the four Shanghai employees, detained since 5 July 2009, to the Shanghai Number One Intermediate Court for trial. A trial date has not yet been set.

The charges relate to receiving bribes and stealing commercial secrets.

Sam Walsh, chief executive Rio Tinto Iron Ore, said, “We are very concerned about the nature of these charges, however, as this is part of an ongoing legal process, it is inappropriate to comment any further.

Rio Tinto continues to hope for a transparent and expeditious process for its employees.

Senior managers from Rio Tinto continue to maintain regular contact with the families of the detained employees and provide support to them.

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: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +1 202 256 3667

Media Relations, Australia
David Luff
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205

Tony Shaffer
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +1 202 256 3667

Media Relations, Canada
Stefano Bertolli
Office +1 (0) 514 848 8151
Mobile +1 (0) 514 945 1800

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

Simon Ellinor
Office +61 (0) 7 3361 4365
Mobile +61 (0) 439 102 811

Further information:

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Website: www.riotinto.com