http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/13Vwu6j7rCh2Edn8GxEZN/wv Follow us http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORtEfyhLaHJAcnhNozzhqN 17 November 2014 Rio Tinto and Sinosteel sign Heads of Agreement for Channar JV further extension discussions Download pdf here http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORvGZkFHLlaJi6OSIJFVIg Rio Tinto and Sinosteel Corporation today announced their intention to advance discussions for a second extension to the Channar Mining iron ore joint venture in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. This followed the signing of a Heads of Agreement at Parliament House in Canberra today by Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh and Sinosteel Corporation president Xu Siwei.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott attended the signing. The original Channar joint venture was signed in 1987 and provided for the production of 200 million tonnes of iron ore.

It was extended in 2010 to produce a further 50 million tonnes of iron ore. Mr Walsh said “The Channar joint venture was a ground-breaking partnership formed in the early stages of the development of the Chinese steel industry. “It’s now one of China’s longest running and most successful partnerships with Australia and a model for economic co-operation between our two countries. “The signing demonstrates the commitment by Rio Tinto and Sinosteel to continue exploring opportunities that build on a mutually beneficial partnership that has developed over many years.” Mr Xu said “The signing of this agreement is another milestone in 27 years of successful cooperation between Sinosteel and Rio Tinto.

As a large international enterprise providing comprehensive services for the Chinese iron and steel industry, Sinosteel is committed to developing broader and deeper cooperation with Rio Tinto.” The Channar joint venture (Rio Tinto has a 60 per cent share, Sinosteel 40 per cent) owns the Channar mine, 60 kilometres south of Tom Price in the Pilbara region.

The operation is managed by Rio Tinto.

Sinosteel has 100 per cent offtake rights to Channar joint venture production (Channar ore feeds into Pilbara Blend). The original Channar joint venture was one of the largest Chinese investments in the world and it was the first overseas mineral resource project entered into by a Chinese enterprise. The timetable for reaching a mutually acceptable agreement for a second extension is before the end of the current extension term, which is currently expected to be during 2016. Contacts: Media Relations, EMEA / Americas Illtud Harri Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600 David Outhwaite Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1623 Mobile: +44 (0) 7787 597 493 David Luff Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1177 Mobile: +44 (0) 7780 226 422 Media Relations, Australia / Asia Ben Mitchell Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 212 Bruce Tobin Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454 Matthew Klar Office: +61 (0) 7 3625 4244 Mobile: +61 (0) 457 525 578 Media Relations, Canada Bryan Tucker Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151 Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319 Investor Relations, London John Smelt Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1654 Mobile: +44 (0) 7879 642 675 David Ovington Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Grant Donald Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1262 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 587 805 Investor Relations, Australia Rachel Storrs Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628 Mobile: +61 (0) 417 401 018 Galina Rogova Office: +86 21 6103 3550 Mobile: +86 152 2118 3942 Further information: If you have been forwarded this email, you may wish to sign up for our media releases http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORxJJ73ElYBSnQlY2TMzZJ directly. Visit the corporate website http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORzMsTrAWC31tzT3n3Tehc Read our online magazine http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORBPcFPxxfuazjq8HdZSyF If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/15ORDRWsdu7SVjF2Xe1o6wQ8 LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright © 2014 Rio Tinto.

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