Rio Tinto: Second Quarter 2008 Operations Review

"The integration of Alcan is proceeding to plan and the business continues to perform well. I am particularly pleased to see how swiftly our Australian coal operations recovered from the first quarter floods.

"Chinese GDP is continuing to grow at around ten per cent per annum, demand is strong while supply remains constrained. Fundamentals, not financial speculation, are driving the record prices we are realising across aluminium, copper, iron ore and coal and we see the same trends continuing into the future."

-- Record quarterly global production of iron ore, up 13 per cent on the second quarter of 2007, recovering some of the shortfall from the cyclones in the first quarter.

-- Record quarterly iron ore production of 48 million tonnes in Australia, up 14 per cent (on a 100 per cent basis) compared with the second quarter of 2007, as the iron ore operations continue to expand their capacity.

-- Weighted average iron ore price increase of 85.7 per cent negotiated with Asian customers for 2008 contract shipments from the Pilbara.

-- Record quarterly mined copper production (for existing operations), up 15 per cent on the corresponding quarter of 2007.

-- Rio Tinto Alcan continues to perform well with bauxite production up 100 per cent, alumina up by 231 per cent and aluminium up by 374 per cent, compared with the second quarter of 2007, reflecting the acquisition of Alcan in the fourth quarter of 2007. On a proforma basis the respective increases for bauxite, alumina and aluminium were 11 per cent, nine per cent and one per cent.

-- The Sohar aluminium smelter in Oman began operating in June, on time and on budget, with first hot metal produced during the same month.

-- Australian thermal and coking coal production were up by 15 per cent and 25 per cent on the second quarter of 2007, recovering well from the heavy rainfall experienced in the first quarter.

-- Strong performance from the minerals businesses with borates production up 18 per cent and titanium dioxide feedstocks ten per cent higher than the second quarter of 2007.

-- Agreement signed to sell the Kintyre uranium property in Western Australia for $495 million, as part of the Group's overall $15 billion divestment target.

All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share, unless otherwise stated
IRON ORE

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Hamersley 29,994 +7% +11% 57,011 +10%
Hope Downs 1,732 n/a +222% 2,270 n/a
Robe River 7,212 +4% +0% 14,401 +8%
IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,402 +39% +13% 4,521 +44%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pilbara operations

Rio Tinto negotiated record benchmark pricing levels for its iron ore production in 2008. Agreement was reached with major customers for a 96.5 per cent increase for lump ore and 79.88 per cent for fines for the 2008 contract year, representing an 85.7 per cent weighted average increase.

The split of production (based on 2007 production figures) is approximately as follows:
Fines Lump
Hamersley (including Yandicoogina) 70% 30%
Robe River (including Mesa J) 80% 20%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

During the second quarter Rio Tinto continued to sell iron ore into the spot market, and remains on track to meet its total spot sales target of up to 15 million tonnes for 2008 (two thirds 100 per cent owned operations, one third joint venture operations).

The Pilbara operations achieved record quarterly production, up 14 per cent on the corresponding quarter of 2007 (on a 100 per cent basis), following the ramp up of the Yandicoogina capacity expansion to 52 million tonnes per annum and the Hope Downs development (50 per cent owned by Rio Tinto). Hope Downs produced 3.5 million tonnes during the quarter as it continued to ramp up towards its 30 million tonnes per annum total capacity targeted for early 2009.

These records were achieved despite the significant gas outage caused by a major fire in June at Apache's processing plant, which provided two thirds of Rio Tinto's gas supply in the Pilbara. To date, Rio Tinto has mitigated the effect through reordering maintenance, arranging alternative suppliers and the use of higher priced diesel generation. Energy conservation was also prioritised to prevent a significant impact on shipped tonnage. Full return to gas supply is not expected for up to six months, hence management will continued to monitor the situation closely.

Expansion projects remain on schedule and on budget despite challenges posed by the Apache outage and weather conditions, in particular disruptions to the Cape Lambert wharf extension caused by cyclone-related ocean swell in the first quarter. Hope Downs South and Mesa A progressed well and the Brockman 4 development is expected to accelerate in the second half of 2008.

A number of significant capital projects were approved during the quarter, associated with the major expansion to a total capacity of 320 million tonnes per annum. An investment of $371 million (Rio Tinto share $350 million) will be made to automate the railway, which will lead to driverless trains operating on most of Rio Tinto's rail network across the Pilbara. The early acquisition of critical infrastructure for the expansion, and funds for the advanced studies of a new mine on the Western Turner Syncline deposit, were approved as part of a $667 million package (Rio Tinto share $492 million). An investment of $503 million (Rio Tinto share $397 million) will be made in a replacement power station for port and mine operations, which will significantly reduce emissions.

HIsmelt

The second quarter saw some significant improvements and milestones as the ramp up of the HIsmelt commercial plant continued. Following extensive maintenance in the first quarter, operational stability improved and record levels of hot metal production were achieved during the period.

Iron Ore Company of Canada

Pellet and concentrate production at the Iron Ore Company of Canada continued to be strong, reflecting ongoing debottlenecking efforts at the plant, as well as the absence of the labour stoppages of 2007.
ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Rio Tinto Alcan
Bauxite 8,567 +100% -2% 17,324 +103%
Alumina 2,266 +231% +2% 4,486 +233%
Aluminium 1,014 +374% -1% 2,039 +380%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 07 Q2 08 vs H1 07 H108 vs
Q2 07 H1 07
Rio Tinto Alcan proforma(1) proforma(1) proforma(1) proforma(1)
Bauxite 7,713 +11% 15,063 +15%
Alumina 2,078 +9% 4,095 +10%
Aluminium 1,008(2) +1%(2) 2,012(2) +1%(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Includes Alcan data from 1 January 2007.

(2) Excludes Vlissingen (Netherlands,) which was divested in the first half of 2007 and Lannemezan (France) which was closed in the first quarter of 2008.

Half year production records were set across the board in the aluminium product group, following the acquisition of Alcan. Second quarter production of bauxite, alumina and aluminium increased sharply compared with the same quarter of 2007, reflecting the Alcan acquisition. Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007 and its production is included from that date. Proforma Rio Tinto Alcan production data for 2007 was published on 12 March 2008 and can be found on the Rio Tinto website.

Bauxite

Second quarter bauxite production was 100 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2007 and 11 per cent higher on a proforma basis. Second quarter bauxite production at Weipa was 14 per cent above the same quarter of 2007, reflecting increased capacity following the commissioning of the second shiploader.

During the quarter, Rio Tinto announced the approval of a $30 million feasibility study to develop a new bauxite operation to the south of the existing Weipa bauxite mine and port. With the approval of the new operation, Weipa's total bauxite production would increase from 18 million tonnes in 2007 to 35 million tonnes per annum.

Alumina

Second quarter alumina production was 231 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2007 and nine per cent higher on a proforma basis.

Expansion work on the Yarwun alumina refinery is progressing on budget and on track for its first shipment of alumina in the second half of 2010, with projected completion in the second half of 2011. Ramp up of production is expected to take 12 months following completion. The $1.8 billion project, announced in July 2007, will increase annual capacity from 1.4 million tonnes to 3.4 million tonnes by 2011.

The 1.8 million tonne per annum expansion of the Gove refinery is being commissioned and the ramp up continues, with 2.6 million tonnes expected to be produced in 2008. The target operating rate of between 3.4 million tonnes and 3.8 million tonnes per annum is expected to be achieved by the end of 2009.

Aluminium

Second quarter aluminium production was 374 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2007 and level on a proforma basis. During the quarter, Rio Tinto announced production cutbacks at its Tiwai Point smelter in New Zealand of up to 10%, due to low rainfall, reducing monthly output by 2,900 tonnes. This situation is expected to continue into the third quarter of 2008. In June a localised fire at the Anglesey smelter in Wales resulted in a loss of power across the smelter which is currently operating at reduced capacity. The shortfall from the above two incidents was offset by capacity creep at many of the Group's other smelters, notably in Canada.

The Sohar smelter in Oman began operating in June, on time and on budget, with first hot metal produced during the same month.

In April, Rio Tinto announced that it will proceed with an accelerated pre-feasibility study for an expansion of the Alma smelter in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The potential expansion would add approximately 170,000 tonnes to the current Alma smelter production of slightly more than 400,000 tonnes.
COPPER

Rio Tinto share of production
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Kennecott Utah Copper
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 60.2 +8% +35% 104.9 -4%
Refined copper (000 tonnes) 49.3 -27% -5% 101.4 -26%
Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 2.2 -41% -35% 5.7 -33%
Mined Gold (000 ozs) 92 -24% +34% 161 -29%
Refined gold (000 ozs) 73 -50% -9% 154 -41%
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 128.1 +22% +9% 245.3 +13%
Refined copper (000 tonnes) 21.0 +7% +34% 36.8 -7%
Grasberg JV
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 7.1 +27% +10% 13.6 +19%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 0 -100% n/a 0 -100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kennecott Utah Copper

Copper grades recovered in the second quarter leading to higher mined production compared with both the previous quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2007. Changes in the mining sequence resulted in lower gold and molybdenum grades and production compared with the same quarter of 2007.

Copper grades at Bingham Canyon are expected to return to higher levels (comparable to 2006) during the second half. It takes two to three months for higher grade ore to report through to refined production. Molybdenum production in 2008 is expected to be approximately 20 per cent below the 2007 level following a decline in grades and recoveries. Molybdenum recovery is expected to improve through the second half of 2008 as operation of the new flotation cells is optimised.

Production decreases at the smelter and refinery from 2007 to 2008 are the consequence of lower head grades and lower concentrate production in the first quarter of 2008. A 26 day refinery shutdown is scheduled for July 2008 and an 11 day smelter maintenance shutdown is scheduled for August 2008.

In June Rio Tinto approved a $270 million investment in the construction of a new Molybdenum Autoclave Process (MAP) facility. The MAP facility is scheduled to begin operating in the third quarter of 2010 with full production estimated to be reached during 2011. It will enable 21,500 additional tonnes of molybdenum to be recovered over the current mine life to 2020. Studies are under way to extend the mine life of the Bingham Canyon mine to 2036.

Escondida

Mined copper for the quarter improved by 22 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2007, attributable to higher volumes of leachate material. Production at Escondida has been impacted by haul truck and shovel maintenance and availability issues.

Grasberg

Copper grades improved at Grasberg from the previous quarter but low gold grades reduced Rio Tinto's share of gold production to nil in the second quarter of 2008.

Mining is expected to transition to a higher grade section of the Grasberg open pit in the second half of 2008.

Other operations

Lower copper and gold production at Northparkes was due to the treatment of lower grade stockpile material sourced from the open cut. Grade is expected to increase as the underground production from E26 Lift 2 North ramps up to full production, displacing the lower grade open cut material. Northparkes production for 2008 is expected to be more than 40 per cent below 2007.

Mined copper production at Palabora increased by close to 50 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2007, attributable to increased recovery rates from reprocessed secondary material.

Provisional pricing

At the end of the quarter the Group had 273 million pounds of copper sales that were provisionally priced at US 389 cents per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined during the second half of 2008. This compared with 270 million pounds of open shipments at 31 December 2007 provisionally priced at US 304 cents per pound.
DIAMONDS

Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Argyle 2,992 -32% +38% 5,164 -35%
Diavik 1,513 -23% +41% 2,584 -27%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Argyle's production in the second quarter improved from the previous quarter but was 32 per cent below the corresponding quarter of 2007. Access to the high grade areas of the pit, which had been restricted due to geotechnical issues and wet weather earlier in the year, was re-established midway through the quarter resulting in improved feed grade and higher throughput. Variability in feed grades and production rates will continue as the open pit approaches the end of its life and the mine transitions to an underground operation.

Second quarter production at Diavik recovered substantially from the first quarter but was 23 per cent below the same quarter of 2007, primarily as a result of lower grades encountered in the A154S pipe. Also contributing to lower recovered grade was the commencement of processing of ore from the top of the A418 pipe.

During the quarter, Rio Tinto approved the Diavik small diamonds project at a capital cost of $50 million (Rio Tinto share $30 million). The project comprises additions and modifications to the ore processing plant to recover very small diamonds, reflecting good market demand for this product. The first recovery of small diamonds is expected to take place towards the end of 2009.
ENERGY

US thermal coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Rio Tinto Energy America 30,947 +2% +1% 61,578 +1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Second quarter production was consistent with the preceding quarters. Increased production from the successful ramp up of the overland conveyor at Jacobs Ranch was offset by the effects of rail delays following severe flooding of the railway tracks in the Mid West.
Australian coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 2,038 +25% +95% 3,082 +0%
Other coal 5,542 +15% +2% 10,990 +8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hard coking coal production from the Queensland coal operations recovered significantly from the regional flooding during the first quarter.

In the Hunter Valley, production of semi soft coal increased to take advantage of stronger prices. Vessel queues in New South Wales have reduced allowing production to be in line with allocations.

An investment programme by the owners and operators of the coal ports at Newcastle and Dalrymple Bay on the eastern seaboard of Australia is expected to modestly increase capacity in the second half of 2008 and into 2009, followed by a major expansion of coal shipping capacity at Newcastle in 2010.
Uranium
Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Energy Resources of Australia 1,643 -26% -18% 3,654 -2%
Rossing 1,505 +55% +13% 2,841 +26%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Second quarter 2008 production at ERA's Ranger mine was 26 per cent lower than the comparative quarter of 2007. Heavy rains were experienced in 2007, preventing access to higher grade ore and ERA subsequently entered the 2008 wet season with lower than normal high grade stockpiles.

Higher grades at Rossing led to a 55 per cent improvement in production in the second quarter of 2008 compared with the same quarter of 2007, when a stripping campaign was being carried out.
MINERALS

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 08 vs Q2 07 vs Q1 08 H1 08 vs H1 07
Borates 171 +18% +12% 324 +18%
Titanium dioxide 405 +10% +14% 761 +6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Second quarter borates production rose by 18 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2007, with strong demand in Asia Pacific and Europe driving the processing plants to maximum capacity.

Titanium dioxide feedstock production increased during the quarter at both RBM and QIT.

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first half of 2008 was $401 million compared with $194 million in same period of 2007 with most of the increase attributable to the advanced evaluation studies on major growth projects. Pre-feasibility or feasibility work progressed on a number of these projects including Resolution (copper/gold, US), La Granja (copper, Peru), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina), Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) and several Pilbara iron ore deposits.

The Sulawesi nickel laterite deposit in Indonesia (162Mt of resources at 1.62% Ni and 0.08% Co, refer to Rio Tinto press release on 28 May 2008) was declared a discovery and handed over to the Rio Tinto copper group.

High priority targets have been identified within the broader Lakeview nickel copper project in Minnesota. Initial drilling has identified significant disseminated sulphide mineralisation. The final hole of the winter programme returned 138m @ 1.6% Ni, 1.1% Cu including 28m @ 3.6% Ni, 2% Cu (refer to Rio Tinto Value & Growth seminar on 29 May 2008). An Order of Magnitude Study has been established for the project.

In June Rio Tinto announced that it had lodged mining lease applications for its Bunder diamond project in India, a vital step in the development of what could be the first world class diamond mine in India. It also announced the exploration target for diamond mineralisation at the Bunder project of 40 to 70 million tonnes at a grade of between 0.3 and 0.7 carats per tonne (refer to Rio Tinto press release on 23 June 2008).

The Serbian jadar lithium borates project Order of Magnitude study increased momentum during the quarter. The targeted mineralisation for the project was released showing a target of 80 -100 Mt @ 1.8-2.2% Li2O, 13.5 - 16.5% B2O3 (refer to Rio Tinto Value & Growth seminar on 29 May 2008) from the lower mineralised zone.

A summary of activity for the period is as follows:
Product Group Advanced projects Greenfield programmes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aluminium Brazil, Colombia,
Australia
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper & Diamonds Sulawesi nickel, Indonesia: Chile: Ongoing field
Project handed over to work on CODELCO JV
copper group Copper and nickel
Lakeview nickel-copper, US: programmes continued
Ore grade width intercept. in: Russia (Rio Nor
Bunder diamonds, India: JV), Kazakhstan, US,
Exploration target Mexico, Peru,
released. Argentina, southern
and central Africa;
Diamond programmes
continued in: India,
Canada, Russia and
Mauritania
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy & Minerals Altai Nuur coal, Mongolia: Colombia, Canada, US,
Order of magnitude southern Africa,
initiated Argentina, Russia and
Landazuri coal, Colombia: Mongolia (coal)
Coal measures intersected Australia, Canada,
in drilling Turkey, Serbia
Chilubane and Mutamba (industrial minerals)
ilmenite Mozambique: Jadar Zambia (uranium)
lithium borates,
Serbia: Order of magnitude
studies continued
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron Ore Pilbara, Australia: Brazil, Argentina,
delineation drilling Guinea and Gabon
continued at several
advanced prospects
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses including Kennecott Utah Copper, Northparkes, Rossing, Argyle, Diavik and Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Australia.

DIVESTMENTS

Divestments continue on track and Rio Tinto remains committed to its $10 billion target for 2008.

In March 2008 Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 40 per cent interest in the Cortez gold mine in Nevada for $1.695 billion

In April 2008 Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 70.3 per cent interest in the Greens Creek silver, lead and zinc mine in Alaska to an affiliate of Hecla Mining Company, giving Hecla 100 per cent ownership. The sale price included cash consideration of $700 million and $50 million in Hecla stock.

On 10 July 2008, Rio Tinto announced that it had signed an agreement to sell the Kintyre uranium project located in Western Australia to a joint venture comprising Cameco Corporation and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd for $495 million.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed public company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is a public company 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto's present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period, levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Takeover Code"), the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share.

Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty (either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values, anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.
Rio Tinto production summary

Rio Tinto share of production
QUARTER HALF YEAR % CHANGE
-------------------- ------------- --------------
Q2 Q2 H1
2007 2008 2008 2007 2008 08 08 08
Q2 Q1 Q2 H1 H1 vs vs vs
Principal Q2 Q1 H1
Commodities 07 08 07
-------------------- ------------- --------------
Alumina ('000
t) 685 2,220 2,266 1,346 4,486 231% 2% 233%
Aluminium ('000
t) 214 1,025 1,014 425 2,039 374% -1% 380%
Bauxite ('000
t) 4,278 8,757 8,567 8,550 17,324 100% -2% 103%
Borates ('000
t) 145 153 171 274 324 18% 12% 18%
Coal - hard ('000
coking coal t) 1,633 1,043 2,038 3,071 3,082 25% 95% 0%
Coal - other ('000
Australian t) 4,830 5,449 5,542 10,135 10,990 15% 2% 8%
Coal - US ('000
t) 30,318 30,632 30,947 60,675 61,578 2% 1% 1%
Copper - mined ('000
t) 186.5 185.2 214.9 384.6 400.1 15% 16% 4%
Copper - ('000
refined t) 100.7 78.3 82.8 202.3 161.1 -18% 6% -20%
Diamonds ('000
cts) 6,413 3,296 4,557 11,446 7,853 -29% 38% -31%
Iron ore ('000
t) 37,117 37,371 41,860 69,361 79,231 13% 12% 14%
Titanium ('000
dioxide t)
feedstock 367 356 405 718 761 10% 14% 6%
Uranium ('000
lbs) 3,207 3,346 3,149 6,006 6,495 -2% -6% 8%
-------------------- ------------- --------------

Other Metals &
Minerals
-------------------- ------------- --------------
Gold - mined ('000
ozs) 255 93 114 476 207 -55% 23% -57%
Gold - refined ('000
ozs) 147 81 73 262 154 -50% -9% -41%
Molybdenum ('000
t) 3.8 3.4 2.2 8.5 5.7 -41% -35% -33%
Pig Iron ('000
t) 0 11 41 13 52 n/a 282% 307%
Salt ('000
t) 958 1,257 1,276 2,075 2,534 33% 1% 22%
Silver - mined ('000
ozs) 1,853 1,184 1,477 3,459 2,661 -20% 25% -23%
Silver - ('000
refined ozs) 1,014 929 903 1,884 1,831 -11% -3% -3%
Talc ('000
t) 326 342 337 679 679 3% -1% 0%
-------------------- ------------- --------------

Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page. Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the half year figures.
Rio Tinto share of production

Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ALUMINA

Production ('000
tonnes)
Gardanne (a) 100% - - 21 21 5 - 26
Gove (a) 100% - - 405 554 589 - 1,143
Jonquiere (a) 100% - - 252 327 327 - 655
Queensland
Alumina (a) (b) 80% 362 377 662 756 773 727 1,529
Sao Luis (Alumar)
(a) 10% - - 29 38 39 - 77
Yarwun 100% 323 301 339 348 327 619 675
Speciality
alumina plants
(a) 100% - - 144 176 206 - 382
---------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
alumina production 685 679 1,853 2,220 2,266 1,346 4,486
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ALUMINIUM (c)

Refined production
('000 tonnes)
Australia - Bell
Bay 100% 44 45 45 44 45 88 89
Australia - Boyne
Island 59% 82 81 82 82 82 162 164
Australia -
Tomago (a) 52% - - 50 66 67 - 133
Cameroon - Alucam
(Edea) (a) 47% - - 9 9 10 - 19
Canada - seven
wholly owned (a) 100% - - 270 360 356 - 716
Canada - Alouette
(a) 40% - - 44 57 57 - 114
Canada -
Becancour (a) 25% - - 20 25 26 - 51
China - Ningxia
(Qingtongxia)
(a) 50% - - 15 20 20 - 41
France - three
wholly owned (a) 100% - - 80 102 98 - 200
Iceland - ISAL
(Reykjavik) (a) 100% - - 35 46 46 - 93
New Zealand -
Tiwai Point (a) 79% 69 70 70 69 65 138 134
Norway - SORAL
(Husnes) (a) 50% - - 16 21 21 - 43
UK - two wholly
owned (a) 100% - - 42 55 55 - 111
UK - Anglesey 51% 19 19 19 19 16 37 35
USA - Sebree (a) 100% - - 37 49 49 - 98
---------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
aluminium
production 214 215 834 1,025 1,014 425 2,039
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q
interest 2007 2007 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BAUXITE

Production ('000 tonnes)
Awaso (a) (d) 80% - - 173
Sangaredi (a) (e) - - 1,248
Gove (a) 100% - - 985
Porto Trombetas (a) 12% - - 407
Weipa (f) 100% 4,278 4,676 4,984
--------------------
Rio Tinto total bauxite production 4,278 4,676 7,797
----------------------------------------------------------------------

BORATES

Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100% 145 134 151
----------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL - HARD COKING

Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 82% 1,032 864 1,090
Kestrel Coal 80% 601 700 454
--------------------
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal
production 1,633 1,564 1,544
----------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL - OTHER *

Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Bengalla 30% 324 422 417
Blair Athol Coal 71% 1,580 1,374 1,023
Hunter Valley Operations 76% 1,818 1,774 2,047
Kestrel Coal 80% 271 261 145
Mount Thorley Operations 61% 252 396 625
Warkworth 42% 584 756 504
--------------------
Total Australian other coal 4,830 4,983 4,760
--------------------

Rio Tinto Energy America ('000 tonnes)
Antelope 100% 7,682 7,601 8,292
Colowyo (g) 1,342 1,280 1,232
Cordero Rojo 100% 9,034 8,622 9,996
Decker 50% 784 833 809
Jacobs Ranch 100% 8,478 8,750 8,801
Spring Creek 100% 2,999 3,938 4,254
--------------------
Total US coal 30,318 31,024 33,384
--------------------
Rio Tinto total other coal production 35,148 36,006 38,144
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1Q 2Q 1H 1H
2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BAUXITE

Production ('000 tonnes)
Awaso (a) (d) 164 128 - 292
Sangaredi (a) 1,770 1,511 - 3,281
Gove (a) 1,327 1,529 - 2,856
Porto Trombetas (a) 491 518 - 1,009
Weipa (f) 5,005 4,881 8,550 9,886
----------------------------
Rio Tinto total bauxite production 8,757 8,567 8,550 17,324
----------------------------------------------------------------------

BORATES

Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 153 171 274 324
----------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL - HARD COKING

Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 663 1,429 2,156 2,092
Kestrel Coal 380 609 915 990
----------------------------
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal
production 1,043 2,038 3,071 3,082
----------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL - OTHER *

Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Bengalla 319 487 722 805
Blair Athol Coal 1,808 1,719 3,248 3,527
Hunter Valley Operations 2,139 2,201 3,822 4,340
Kestrel Coal 110 197 423 308
Mount Thorley Operations 432 284 749 716
Warkworth 641 653 1,170 1,294
----------------------------
Total Australian other coal 5,449 5,542 10,135 10,990
----------------------------

Rio Tinto Energy America ('000 tonnes)
Antelope 7,958 7,951 15,374 15,909
Colowyo 1,001 1,045 2,566 2,045
Cordero Rojo 9,200 8,077 18,094 17,276
Decker 740 765 1,528 1,505
Jacobs Ranch 7,904 9,255 17,015 17,159
Spring Creek 3,829 3,855 6,099 7,684
----------------------------
Total US coal 30,632 30,947 60,675 61,578
----------------------------
Rio Tinto total other coal production 36,080 36,488 70,810 72,568
----------------------------------------------------------------------

* Coal - other includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COPPER

Mine production
('000 tonnes) **
Bingham Canyon 100% 55.6 49.5 53.0 44.7 60.2 109.7 104.9
Escondida 30% 105.2 101.2 103.8 117.2 128.1 216.7 245.3
Grasberg -
Joint Venture
(h) 40% 5.6 7.5 9.4 6.5 7.1 11.4 13.6
Northparkes 80% 9.9 5.6 5.3 4.1 4.4 23.6 8.5
Palabora 58% 10.2 8.7 9.3 12.8 15.1 23.2 27.8
------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
mine production 186.5 172.5 180.8 185.2 214.9 384.6 400.1
------------------------------------------
Refined
production ('000
tonnes)
Escondida 30% 19.7 16.1 15.8 15.7 21.0 39.6 36.8
Kennecott Utah
Copper 100% 67.9 68.7 59.3 52.1 49.3 137.6 101.4
Palabora 58% 13.2 13.8 13.8 10.5 12.4 25.2 23.0
------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
refined
production 100.7 98.7 89.0 78.3 82.8 202.3 161.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------

DIAMONDS

Production ('000
carats)
Argyle 100% 4,414 4,865 5,995 2,172 2,992 7,884 5,164
Diavik 60% 1,975 1,874 1,766 1,071 1,513 3,526 2,584
Murowa 78% 24 31 46 52 52 36 105
------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
diamond
production 6,413 6,770 7,807 3,296 4,557 11,446 7,853
----------------------------------------------------------------------

GOLD

Mine production
('000 ounces) **
Barneys Canyon 100% 3 3 2 2 1 5 3
Bingham Canyon 100% 117 86 88 67 91 223 158
Escondida 30% 14 14 14 12 11 28 23
Grasberg -
Joint Venture
(h) 40% 97 149 103 0 0 171 0
Northparkes 80% 17 12 13 8 6 38 14
Rawhide 51% 3 2 2 2 2 6 4
Others - 3 3 3 2 2 5 5
------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
mine production 255 269 225 93 114 476 207
------------------------------------------
Refined
production ('000
ounces)
Kennecott Utah
Copper 100% 147 128 133 81 73 262 154
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q
interest 2007 2007 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IRON ORE & IRON

Production ('000 tonnes) **
Corumba 100% 424 528 365
Hamersley - six wholly owned mines 100% 24,617 23,990 25,799
Hamersley - Channar 60% 1,743 1,554 1,448
Hamersley - Eastern Range (i) 1,670 1,562 1,535
Hope Downs(j) 50% 32
Iron Ore Company of Canada 59% 1,730 2,376 2,248
RobeRiver 53% 6,932 6,381 7,529
--------------------
Rio Tinto total mine production 37,117 36,390 38,956
--------------------
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)
HIsmelt(R) 60% 0 29 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------

MOLYBDENUM

Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 3.8 3.5 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SALT

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - salt (k) 68% 958 1,480 1,686
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SILVER

Mine production ('000 ounces) **
Bingham Canyon 100% 981 757 892
Escondida 30% 592 670 536
Grasberg - Joint Venture (h) 40% 114 210 154
Others - 166 127 121
--------------------
Rio Tinto total mine production 1,853 1,765 1,703
--------------------
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 1,014 1,164 1,317
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TALC

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 100% 326 318 284
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 367 356 384
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1Q 2Q 1H 1H
2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IRON ORE & IRON

Production ('000 tonnes) **
Corumba 508 519 885 1,027
Hamersley - six wholly owned mines 23,731 26,113 44,777 49,844
Hamersley - Channar 1,484 1,686 3,328 3,171
Hamersley - Eastern Range 1,801 2,195 3,836 3,996
Hope Downs(j) 538 1,732 0 2,270
Iron Ore Company of Canada 2,119 2,402 3,144 4,521
RobeRiver 7,189 7,212 13,392 14,401
----------------------------
Rio Tinto total mine production 37,371 41,860 69,361 79,231
----------------------------
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)
HIsmelt(R) 11 41 13 52
----------------------------------------------------------------------

MOLYBDENUM

Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 3.4 2.2 8.5 5.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SALT

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - salt (k) 1,257 1,276 2,075 2,534
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SILVER

Mine production ('000 ounces) **
Bingham Canyon 616 855 1,838 1,470
Escondida 494 507 1,155 1,001
Grasberg - Joint Venture (h) 0 0 114 0
Others 74 115 353 189
----------------------------
Rio Tinto total mine production 1,184 1,477 3,459 2,661
----------------------------
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 929 903 1,884 1,831
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TALC

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 342 337 679 679
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 356 405 718 761
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
URANIUM
Production ('000
lbs U3O8)
Energy
Resources of
Australia 68% 2,236 1,980 2,288 2,011 1,643 3,743 3,654
Rossing 69% 971 1,126 1,216 1,335 1,505 2,263 2,841
-----------------------------------------
Rio Tinto total
uranium
production 3,207 3,105 3,504 3,346 3,149 6,006 6,495
----------------------------------------------------------------------

** Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.

Production data notes

(a) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name.

(b) Rio Tinto held a 38.6% share in QAL until 24 October 2007; this increased to 80.0% following the Alcan acquisition

(c) Following a review of the basis for reporting aluminium smelter production tonnes, the data reported now reflects hot metal production rather than saleable product tonnes.

(d) Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production

(e) Rio Tinto has a 22.9% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement.

(f) Includes beneficiated and calcined bauxite production.

(g) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(h) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. Rio Tinto's share of production reflects actual production for the first half of 2008.

(i) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture.

(j) Hope Downs started production in the fourth quarter of 2007

(k) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to 68.4% at the beginning of July 2007.

The Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008.

Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as footnoted above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average interest over the relevant periods.

Where Rio Tinto has wholly divested an operation, no data is included in the Share of Production tables.
Rio Tinto operational data

Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto Alcan
(a)

Bauxite Mines
Bauxite
production ('000
tonnes)
Australia
Gove mine -
Northern
Territory (a) 100.0% - - 985 1,327 1,529 - 2,856
Weipa mine -
Queensland
(b) 100.0% 4,278 4,676 4,984 5,005 4,881 8,550 9,886
Brazil
Porto
Trombetas
(MRN) mine
(a) 12.0% - - 3,392 4,093 4,314 - 8,407
Ghana
Awaso mine (a)
(c) 80.0% - - 216 205 160 - 365
Guinea
Sangaredi mine
(a) (d) 22.9% - - 2,774 3,934 3,357 - 7,291

Rio Tinto Alcan share of
bauxite shipments
Share of bauxite shipments
('000 tonnes) 4,157 4,774 6,682 8,171 8,515 8,421 16,686

Smelter-Grade
Alumina
Refineries
Alumina
production ('000
tonnes)
Australia
Gove refinery
- Northern
Territory (a) 100.0% - - 405 554 589 - 1,143
Queensland
Alumina
Refinery -
Queensland
(a) (e) 80.0% 938 977 956 945 967 1,882 1,911
Yarwun
refinery -
Queensland 100.0% 323 301 339 348 327 619 675
Brazil
Sao Luis
(Alumar)
refinery (a) 10.0% - - 288 379 387 - 766
Canada
Jonquiere
refinery -
Quebec (a) 100.0% - - 252 327 327 - 655
France
Gardanne
refinery (a) 100.0% - - 21 21 5 - 26

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialty Alumina Plants
Speciality alumina production ('000
tonnes)
Canada
Brockville plant -
Quebec (a) 100.0% - - 3 4 4 - 9
Jonquiere plant -
Quebec (a) 100.0% - - 22 31 32 - 63
France
Beyrede plant (a) 100.0% - - 6 7 7 - 14
Gardanne plant (a) 100.0% - - 102 116 149 - 265
La Bathie plant (a) 100.0% - - 5 9 8 - 17
Germany
Teutschenthal plant
(a) 100.0% - - 6 8 5 - 14

(a) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name.

(b) For Weipa, beneficiated and calcined production, previously shown separately, are now shown on one row

(c) Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production

(d) Rio Tinto has a 22.9% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement.

(e) Rio Tinto held a 38.6% share in QAL until 24 October 2007; this increased to 80.0% following the Alcan acquisition

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aluminium Smelters (a)
Primary aluminium production ('000
tonnes)
Australia
Bell Bay smelter -
Tasmania 100.0% 44 45 45 44 45 88 89
Boyne Island smelter -
Queensland 59.4% 137 137 139 138 138 272 276
Tomago smelter - New
South Wales (b) 51.6% - - 97 127 131 - 258
Cameroon
Alucam (Edea) smelter
(b) 46.7% - - 19 20 21 - 42
Canada
Alma smelter - Quebec
(b) 100.0% - - 80 107 104 - 211
Alouette (Sept-Iles)
smelter - Quebec (b) 40.0% - - 109 142 142 - 284
Arvida smelter -
Quebec (b) 100.0% - - 32 42 43 - 85
Beauharnois, smelter -
Quebec (b) 100.0% - - 10 13 12 - 25
Becancour smelter -
Quebec (b) 25.1% - - 80 101 103 - 204
Grande-Baie smelter -
Quebec (b) 100.0% - - 40 52 53 - 105
Kitimat smelter -
British Colombia (b) 100.0% - - 47 63 61 - 124
Laterriere smelter -
Quebec (b) 100.0% - - 44 58 58 - 116
Shawinigan smelter -
Quebec (b) 100.0% - - 18 25 25 - 49
China
Ningxia (Qingtongxia)
smelter (b) 50.0% - - 31 41 40 - 81
France
Dunkerque smelter (b) 100.0% - - 49 62 65 - 127
Lannemezan smelter (b)
(c) 100.0% - - 5 5 - - 5
St-Jean-de Maurienne
smelter (b) 100.0% - - 25 34 33 - 67
Iceland
ISAL (Reykjavik)
smelter (b) 100.0% - - 35 46 46 - 93
New Zealand
Tiwai Point smelter 79.4% 87 89 89 87 82 174 169
Norway
SORAL (Husnes) smelter
(b) 50.0% - - 32 43 42 - 85
United Kingdom
Anglesey Aluminium
smelter 51.0% 37 37 37 37 32 73 69
Lochaber smelter (b) 100.0% - - 8 11 11 - 22
Lynemouth smelter (b) 100.0% - - 33 44 44 - 89
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
USA
Sebree smelter -
Kentucky (b) 100.0% - - 37 49 49 - 98
Rio Tinto Alcan
share of metal
sales
Share of primary
aluminium sales
('000 tonnes) 226 211 1,031 1,287 1,348 421 2,634

(a) Following a review of the basis for reporting aluminium smelter production tonnes, the data reported now reflects hot metal production rather than saleable product tonnes.

(b) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name.

(c) The Lannemezan smelter closed in 1Q 2008
BORATES

Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100.0%
California, US and Argentina
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 145 134 151 153 171 274 324

(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
COAL

Rio Tinto Coal
Australia
Bengalla mine 30.3%
New South Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production ('000
tonnes) 1,070 1,394 1,376 1,053 1,607 2,385 2,659
Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal
production ('000
tonnes) 2,218 1,929 1,436 2,538 2,413 4,559 4,951
Hail Creek Coal mine 82.0%
Queensland, Australia
Hard coking coal production
('000 tonnes) 1,259 1,054 1,329 808 1,743 2,629 2,551
Hunter Valley
Operations 75.7%
New South Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production ('000
tonnes) 2,020 1,883 2,046 2,143 1,830 4,336 3,972
Semi-soft coking coal
production ('000 tonnes) 381 460 657 683 1,078 713 1,760
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal
production ('000
tonnes) 339 326 181 138 247 528 385
Hard coking coal production
('000 tonnes) 751 875 567 475 762 1,143 1,237

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mount
Thorley
Operations 60.6%
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 280 261 731 382 428 937 809
Semi-soft coking coal
production ('000
tonnes) 137 393 302 332 41 300 373
Tarong Coal
mine (a) 0.0%
Queensland,
Australia
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 1,021 872 881 262 - 2,757 262
Warkworth
mine 42.1%
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 1,172 1,663 1,197 1,522 1,507 2,515 3,030
Semi-soft coking coal
production ('000
tonnes) 216 133 0 1 46 267 46

------------------------------------------------
Total hard coking
coal production
('000 tonnes) 2,010 1,929 1,896 1,284 2,504 3,773 3,788
------------------------------------------------
Total hard coking
coal sales ('000
tonnes) 1,605 1,580 1,962 1,245 2,133 3,381 3,378
------------------------------------------------
Total other coal
production ('000
tonnes) (b) 8,854 9,314 8,808 9,052 9,196 19,297 18,248
------------------------------------------------
Total other coal
sales ('000 tonnes)
(c) (d) 9,762 9,322 9,892 9,459 8,888 20,889 18,347
------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------
Total coal production
('000 tonnes) 10,864 11,243 10,704 10,336 11,700 23,070 22,036
------------------------------------------------
Total coal sales
('000 tonnes) 11,368 10,902 11,854 10,703 11,021 24,271 21,725
------------------------------------------------

Rio Tinto Coal
Australia share
------------------------------------------------
Share of hard coking
coal sales ('000
tonnes) 1,306 1,285 1,600 1,015 1,740 2,753 2,755
------------------------------------------------
Share of other coal
sales ('000 tonnes)
(c) (d) 6,453 5,937 6,285 5,994 5,459 13,976 11,453
------------------------------------------------

(a) Rio Tinto sold its 100% share in Tarong with an effective date of 31 January 2008 and production data are shown up to that date.

(b) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.

(c) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal).

(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto
Energy
America
Antelope
mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 7,682 7,601 8,292 7,958 7,951 15,374 15,909
Colowyo (a)
mine
Colorado,
US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 1,342 1,280 1,232 1,001 1,045 2,566 2,045
Cordero
Rojo mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 9,034 8,622 9,996 9,200 8,077 18,094 17,276
Decker mine 50.0%
Montana, US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 1,568 1,666 1,618 1,480 1,530 3,056 3,010
Jacobs
Ranch mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 8,478 8,750 8,801 7,904 9,255 17,015 17,159
Spring
Creek mine 100.0%
Montana, US
Thermal
coal
production
('000
tonnes) 2,999 3,938 4,254 3,829 3,855 6,099 7,684

Total coal
production
('000
tonnes) 31,103 31,857 34,192 31,372 31,711 62,204 63,083
Total coal
sales
('000
tonnes) 31,103 32,165 33,891 31,393 31,301 62,204 62,694

(a) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COPPER & GOLD

Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) 23,064 22,406 21,777 22,029
Average copper grade (%) 1.58 1.63 1.72 1.56
Mill production (metals in
concentrates):
Contained copper ('000
tonnes) 305.6 305.2 316.8 284.7
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 48 48 45 39
Contained silver ('000
ounces) 1,973 2,234 1,786 1,647
Ore to leach ('000 tonnes) 8,435 7,329 3,723 19,156
Average copper grade (%) 0.53 0.44 0.78 0.55
Contained copper in leachate/mined
material ('000 tonnes) 45 32 29 106
Refined production from leach plants:
Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) 66 54 53 52

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)
Grasberg mine (a)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 19,568 18,267 19,195 16,363
Average mill head grades:
Copper (% 0.82 0.58 0.65 0.70
Gold (g/t) 1.63 0.70 0.52 0.61
Silver (g/t) 3.56 2.91 2.77 3.28
Production of metals in
concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000
tonnes) 145.9 90.8 107.1 100.8
Gold in concentrates ('000
ounces) 916 336 254 253
Silver in concentrates ('000
ounces) 1,397 693 875 979

Rio Tinto 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COPPER & GOLD

Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) 24,491 46,514 46,520
Average copper grade (%) 1.55 1.60 1.56
Mill production (metals in
concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 312.7 624.7 597.5
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 38 93 77
Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,691 3,850 3,338
Ore to leach ('000 tonnes) 28,570 23,944 47,726
Average copper grade (%) 0.40 0.41 0.46
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000
tonnes) 114 98 220
Refined production from leach plants:
Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) 70 132 123

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold 0.0%
Grasberg mine (a)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 16,546 40,131 32,909
Average mill head grades:
Copper (% 0.81 1.02 0.75
Gold (g/t) 0.52 1.82 0.57
Silver (g/t) 2.55 4.17 2.91
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 115.6 371.5 216.4
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 212 2,098 465
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 759 3,670 1,738

(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. The 2Q 2008 results are not actuals but are forecasts from FCX's most recent five-year plan and the 1H 2008 results include the 1Q 2008 actuals and 2Q 2008 forecasts. FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 2Q 2008 until the release of its 2008 second-quarter and six-month results on July 22 2008.

(b) Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kennecott Minerals
Company
Cortez/Pipeline
mine (a) 0.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000
tonnes) 697 914 648 491 - 1,461 491
Leached ('000
tonnes) 5,956 4,775 8,510 1,839 - 16,963 1,839
Sold for
roasting ('000
tonnes) - - - - - - -
Average ore grade:
gold
Milled (g/t) 2.80 2.83 4.18 3.40 - 2.64 3.40
Leached (g/t) 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.50 - 0.51 0.50
Sold for
roasting (g/t) - - - - - - -
Gold produced
('000 ounces) 154 134 138 72 - 267 72
Greens Creek mine
(a) 0.0%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000
tonnes) 148 178 172 153 18 314 171
Average ore
grades:
Gold (g/t) 4.57 4.85 4.86 5.20 4.38 4.50 5.11
Silver (g/t) 624 533 416 465 374 591 456
Zinc (%) 9.1 9.6 10.3 10.3 10.2 9.3 10.3
Lead (%) 3.8 3.7 3.5 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7
Metals produced in
concentrates:
Gold ('000
ounces) 15 19 18 16 1 31 18
Silver ('000
ounces) 2,316 2,287 1,672 1,668 147 4,687 1,815
Zinc ('000
tonnes) 10.6 13.7 13.9 12.3 1.6 23.2 13.9
Lead ('000
tonnes) 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.0 0.6 8.1 4.6
Rawhide mine (b) 51.0%
Nevada, US
Metals produced in
dore:
Gold ('000
ounces) 6 4 4 3 4 12 8
Silver ('000
ounces) 54 34 21 26 36 105 62

(a) On 5 March 2008 (effective end of February) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in the Cortez joint venture to its partner and on 16 April 2008 Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in the Greens Creek joint venture to its partner. Production data for these mines are shown up to those dates.

(b) Mining operations were completed in October 2002 and processing of stockpiled ores was completed in May 2003. Residual gold and silver production continues from the leach pads.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 3 3 2 2
Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 12,499 10,988 12,116 10,867
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.53 0.52 0.51 0.49
Gold (g/t) 0.42 0.36 0.31 0.30
Silver (g/t) 3.07 2.87 2.93 2.43
Molybdenum (%) 0.050 0.050 0.043 0.050
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 234 222 230 193
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 23.6 22.2 23.0 23.0
Production of metals in copper
concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 55.6 49.5 53.0 44.7
Gold ('000 ounces) 117 86 88 67
Silver ('000 ounces) 981 757 892 616
Molybdenum concentrates produced
('000 tonnes): 6.7 6.2 5.4 6.2
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 3.8 3.5 3.0 3.4
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 297 263 272 237
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 73.7 61.8 56.7 49.7
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 67.9 68.7 59.3 52.1
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 147 128 133 81
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 1,014 1,164 1,317 929

Rio Tinto 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 1 5 3
Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 12,918 24,421 23,785
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.57 0.54 0.53
Gold (g/t) 0.34 0.43 0.32
Silver (g/t) 2.94 3.10 2.71
Molybdenum (%) 0.045 0.053 0.047
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 225 437 418
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 26.6 25.1 25.0
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 60.2 109.7 104.9
Gold ('000 ounces) 91 223 158
Silver ('000 ounces) 855 1,838 1,470
Molybdenum concentrates produced
('000 tonnes): 4.0 15.0 10.3
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 2.2 8.5 5.7
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 208 569 445
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 47.9 142.7 97.6
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 49.3 137.6 101.4
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 73 262 154
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 903 1,884 1,831

(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be recovered from leach pads

(b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.

(c) New metal excluding recycled material.

(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Northparkes Joint
Venture 80.0%
New South Wales,
Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,363 1,264 1,304 1,234 1,330 2,730 2,564
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 1.01 0.65 0.59 0.49 0.49 1.20 0.49
Gold (g/t) 0.67 0.50 0.51 0.35 0.25 0.73 0.30
Copper concentrates produced
('000 tonnes) 32.4 21.4 19.6 16.1 18.4 74.6 34.5
Contained copper in
concentrates:
Saleable
production
('000 tonnes) 12.4 7.0 6.6 5.1 5.5 29.5 10.7
Sales ('000
tonnes) (a) 13.6 9.5 8.2 2.7 3.3 29.9 6.0
Contained gold in
concentrates:
Saleable
production
('000 ounces) 21.8 15.1 16.3 10.0 7.7 47.4 17.7
Sales ('000
ounces) (a) 16.2 23.3 16.7 6.0 8.5 35.3 14.5

(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Palabora 57.7%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 3,025 3,046 3,958 3,181 3,027 5,910 6,208
Average ore grade: copper
(%) 0.70 0.68 0.69 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71
Copper concentrates produced
('000 tonnes) 56.0 48.6 52.5 73.9 89.4 138.1 163.3
Average concentrate grade:
copper (%) 31.5 31.0 30.7 29.9 29.2 29.1 29.5
Copper in concentrates ('000
tonnes) 17.6 15.0 16.1 22.1 26.1 40.2 48.2
Palabora
smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on
site ('000 tonnes) 74.2 73.9 74.1 66.4 72.3 147.8 138.8
New copper anodes produced
('000 tonnes) 22.9 24.0 22.7 18.1 22.3 44.0 40.4
Refined new copper produced
('000 tonnes) 22.9 24.0 24.0 18.3 21.6 43.7 39.8
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000
tonnes) 321 361 363 446 475 582 921
Nickel contained in products
(tonnes) (a) 12 43 45 42 26 17 68
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000
tonnes) 50 50 50 50 50 100 100

(a) Nickel production is now reported as contained nickel in product.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q
interest 2007 2007 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds 100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,178 2,362 1,917
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 4,414 4,865 5,995
Diavik Diamonds 60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 643 656 581
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 3,291 3,123 2,944
Murowa Diamonds 77.8%
Zimbabwe
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 46 55 72
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 31 40 59
----------------------------------------------------------------------

IRON ORE & IRON

Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Pilbara Operations
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000
tonnes):
Hamersley - Paraburdoo, Mount Tom
Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina,
Brockman and Nammuldi 100.0% 24,617 23,990 25,799
Hamersley - Channar 60.0% 2,905 2,589 2,413
Hamersley - Eastern Range (a) 1,670 1,562 1,535
Hope Downs (b) 50.0% - - 64
Robe River - Pannawonica 53.0% 6,901 5,608 6,812
Robe River - West Angelas 53.0% 6,178 6,432 7,393
--------------------
Total production ('000 tonnes) 42,271 40,180 44,016
--------------------

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c) 41,340 40,444 44,465

1Q 2Q 1H 1H
2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 1,549 1,794 4,346 3,343
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 2,172 2,992 7,884 5,164
Diavik Diamonds
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 437 716 1,163 1,153
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 1,785 2,522 5,876 4,307
Murowa Diamonds
Zimbabwe
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 88 92 77 180
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 67 67 46 135
----------------------------------------------------------------------

IRON ORE & IRON

Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Pilbara Operations
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000
tonnes):
Hamersley - Paraburdoo, Mount Tom
Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina,
Brockman and Nammuldi 23,731 26,113 44,777 49,844
Hamersley - Channar 2,474 2,810 5,546 5,284
Hamersley - Eastern Range 1,801 2,195 3,836 3,996
Hope Downs (b) 1,076 3,465 0 4,541
Robe River - Pannawonica 6,811 6,680 13,069 13,491
Robe River - West Angelas 6,753 6,928 12,198 13,682
----------------------------
Total production ('000 tonnes) 42,646 48,191 79,427 90,838
----------------------------

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c) 42,691 46,425 76,191 89,116

(a) Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(b) Hope Downs started production in the fourth quarter of 2007

(c) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Iron Ore Company
of Canada 58.7%
Newfoundland &
Labrador and
Quebec in Canada
Saleable iron ore
production:
Concentrates
('000 tonnes) 613 723 505 360 939 695 1,299
Pellets ('000
tonnes) 2,334 3,323 3,324 3,249 3,151 4,659 6,400
Sales:
Concentrate
('000 tonnes) 296 820 855 262 563 732 825
Pellets ('000
tonnes) 2,727 3,327 3,146 2,547 4,018 4,518 6,565
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumba mine 100.0%
Mato Grosso do
Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore
production ('000
tonnes) (a) 424 528 365 508 519 885 1,027
Sales ('000
tonnes) 245 401 112 369 462 593 832
(a) Production
includes by-
product fines.
HIsmelt(R) 60.0%
Western Australia
Pig iron
production ('000
tonnes) 0 49 45 18 69 21 87
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SALT

Rio Tinto Minerals
- salt (a) 68.4%
Western Australia
Salt production
('000 tonnes) 1,476 2,165 2,467 1,840 1,867 3,195 3,707

(a) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to 68.4% at the beginning of July 2007.
TALC

Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 100.0%
Australia, Europe, and North
America
Talc production ('000 tonnes) 326 318 284 342 337 679 679
----------------------------------------------------------------------

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%
Canada and South Africa
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock
production ('000 tonnes) 367 356 384 356 405 718 761

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
URANIUM

Energy Resources
of Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4%
Northern
Territory,
Australia
Production ('000
lbs U3O8) 3,269 2,895 3,346 2,940 2,403 5,473 5,343
Rossing Uranium
Ltd 68.6%
Namibia
Production ('000
lbs U3O8) 1,417 1,641 1,773 1,947 2,195 3,300 4,142

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2008. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.