14 October
MELBOURNE,
Press Release

Rio Tinto has released its third quarter operational review. Chief executive Tom Albanese said: "We are seeing early signs of a recovery in some of our key markets, although we remain cautious about the near term outlook. Our businesses continue to operate efficiently: iron ore production set a new quarterly record, with shipments to China maintained at a high level. We also benefited from higher third quarter production at all of our copper operations compared with last year. Cost reductions continue apace and we have made considerable progress on divestments this quarter enabling us to further reduce net debt."

Continued production cutbacks occurred in the Aluminium group in response to the sharp fall in demand. Bauxite production was down 16 per cent and aluminium down four per cent, compared with the third quarter of 2008. Alumina production increased marginally.

On 13 October 2009, Rio Tinto Alcan announced that it is considering reorganising its French
operating structure and adopting additional cost reduction measures for its aluminium and
specialty alumina operations.

Bauxite

Third quarter bauxite production was 16 per cent lower than the same quarter of 2008 with
production at Weipa down 20 per cent. Annual production of bauxite at Weipa has been curtailed to 15 million tonnes (from 20 million tonnes in 2008) due to the sharp fall in alumina and aluminium demand and prices in recent months. Rio Tinto Alcan’s global bauxite production in 2009 is expected to be approximately 31 million tonnes, a decline of 11 per cent on 2008.

Alumina

Third quarter alumina production was one per cent higher than the same quarter of 2008. The prior year’s alumina production was impacted by a temporary blockage in the residue pipeline at the Yarwun refinery which resulted in curtailed operations and 113 thousand tonnes of lost production.

Following production cuts at the Vaudreuil (Jonquiere) and Gardanne alumina refineries
announced in January 2009, the annual alumina production rate has been reduced by six per cent in 2009 compared with 2008. In September 2009, Rio Tinto Alcan began restarting idled capacity at the Vaudreuil refinery in Quebec, in response to current alumina market conditions.

Aluminium

Third quarter aluminium production was four per cent lower than the same quarter of 2008, on a like for like basis. A steady performance at the low cost Canadian smelters was offset by
production cutbacks elsewhere in Canada and Europe.

During 2009 Rio Tinto has announced the sale of the Ningxia smelter in China, the closure of the Beauharnois smelter in Quebec, the cessation of smelting activities at the Anglesey smelter in Wales and various other curtailments. Rio Tinto Alcan’s aluminium production capacity is expected to be operating at an 11 per cent lower annual run rate at the end of 2009. Following these actions, 42 per cent of Rio Tinto Alcan’s smelting capacity in the upper half of the industry cost curve has either been sold or curtailed. Production in 2009 is expected to be approximately 3.8 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share), a decline of six per cent compared with 2008.