Rio Tinto media release Web versionhttp://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/1MtPh8bZj14Fi6/wv If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13cDUoF9IV8HwtvQR5XwYr5A 9 February 2012 Rio Tinto announces record underlying earnings of $15.5 billion – net earnings reduced by impairment charge Click to download full pdf article Download full release in PDF here http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13cDWroW6RJkXCBAobhH55n3 • Record underlying earnings of $15.5 billion, 11 per cent above 2010. • Net earnings of $5.8 billion, 59 per cent below 2010, primarily as a result of an impairment charge of $8.9 billion related to the Group’s aluminium businesses. • Record underlying EBITDA1 of $28.5 billion, 10 per cent above 2010. • Record cash flows from operations up 16 per cent to $27.4 billion. • Capital expenditure of $12.3 billion in 2011, compared with $4.6 billion in 2010.

Total capital expenditure for 2012 on approved projects and sustaining capital is expected to be $16 billion.

Further project approvals, mainly in the Pilbara, are likely to increase this level of investment as the growth programme continues. – Pilbara iron ore expansion to 283 million tonnes per annum (Mt/a) now fully approved and on track to be in operation by end of 2013: second planned phase expansion of Pilbara capacity enhanced to 353 Mt/a and completion brought forward by six months to first half of 2015. – Growth options enhanced in Mongolia, Mozambique and South Africa: Rio Tinto moves to majority stake in Ivanhoe, completes Riversdale acquisition providing entry to an emerging major coking coal resource and announces doubling of stake in Richards Bay Minerals. • 34 per cent increase to full year dividend to 145 US cents per share, reflecting confidence in long-term outlook. • $7 billion share buy-back programme on track for completion by end of the first quarter.

To date $6.2 billion has been completed, representing 103 million Rio Tinto plc shares equivalent to five per cent of the Group’s issued share capital. 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/13cDYu8IuOjYoLHjVgBRbJEw directly. Follow us on Twitter http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13cE0wSuSKUBPUN3slW1inVZ Website: www.riotinto.com http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13cE2zChgHvfh3SMZrgbp2ds LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright © 2012 Rio Tinto.

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