🕐17.04.12 - 07:27 Uhr

FIRST QUARTER 2012 OPERATIONS REVIEW



Rio Tinto media release Web versionhttp://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/1MtPh8d3Yy24vV/wv If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13s7jDbG2TXOnXxKRzZJLXDE 17 April 2012 First quarter 2012 operations review Click to download full pdf article Download pdf here http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13s7nIFeON95gfJdVKE3ZgcA Chief executive Tom Albanese said “We had a solid first quarter with increased production of iron ore, coal, bauxite, alumina and titanium dioxide compared with the first quarter of 2011.

This was driven by a combination of our consistently high operating performance and reduced impact from severe weather than in 2011.

We were therefore well positioned for the relatively strong markets in the first quarter, albeit with continued volatility as we anticipated.” • First quarter global iron ore shipments of 54 million tonnes were two per cent higher than the first quarter of 2011. • First quarter global iron ore production of 59 million tonnes (46 million tonnes attributable) was 10 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2011.

Production was five million tonnes above shipments as ports in Western Australia were closed during cyclonic activity. • During the quarter, iron ore production and shipping capacity in the Pilbara increased by a further five million tonnes to 230 million tonnes per annum (Mt/a), following the completion of the second debottlenecking project at the Dampier port on time and on budget. • Mined copper production was 18 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2011 due to anticipated lower grades at Kennecott Utah Copper. • Bauxite and alumina production were 10 per cent and 13 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2011.

Aluminium was nine per cent lower primarily reflecting the orderly shutdown of two thirds of capacity at Alma, due to labour disruption, and the closure of Lynemouth. • Hard coking coal production was five per cent higher than the first quarter of 2011.

Rio Tinto’s share of thermal coal production was three per cent higher following the increase in ownership in the former Coal & Allied operations. • Titanium dioxide feedstocks production was 14 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2011. • On 1 February 2012, Rio Tinto announced that it will increase its stake in Richards Bay Minerals to 74 per cent through the acquisition of BHP Billitons 37 per cent interest. • On 27 March 2012, Rio Tinto announced that it has begun a strategic review of its diamond business that will include exploring a range of options for potential divestment. • Rio Tinto completed its share buy-back programme on 26 March 2012.

Since February 2011, 116.9 million Rio Tinto plc shares have been purchased at an average price of £37.47, for a total consideration of $7.0 billion. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto’s share of production, unless otherwise stated 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/13s7pLp1cJJIHoOXsPYe5Uu3 directly. Follow us on Twitter http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13s7rO8NAGkm8xUGZViocyLw Website: www.riotinto.com http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/13s7tQSzYCUZzH0qx0Cyjd2Z LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright © 2012 Rio Tinto.

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