2007 Preliminary Results

Rio Tinto PLC 10 March 2008 Record production, underlying earnings, cash flow and investment 13 February 2008 • Record underlying EBITDA* of $13,920 million, 11 per cent above 2006. • Record underlying earnings* of $7,443 million, one per cent above 2006. • Net earnings* were $7,312 million, two per cent below 2006. • Cash flow from operations up 15 per cent to a record of $12,569 million. • Annual production records set for iron ore, bauxite, aluminium, refined gold and refined copper, on a like for like basis. • Record capital expenditure of $5.0 billion, a 25 per cent rise over 2006, reflected continuing investment in value adding growth projects. • Record new capital commitments exceeding $8 billion (100% basis) announced in 2007, including the Yarwun alumina expansion, two new iron ore mines in the Pilbara and the Cape Lambert port expansion. • Alcan acquisition successfully completed and Alcan's results included with effect from 24 October 2007. Rio Tinto established as a global leader in bauxite and aluminium, with a clear pathway to leadership in alumina. Integration progresses, with $940 million of post tax synergies targeted from the end of 2009. • New milestones in the expansion of the Group's iron ore business reached: the 24 million tonne per annum Dampier port expansion completed on time and on budget and first production from Hope Downs mined three months ahead of schedule. • Ordinary dividend for the 2007 year increased 31 per cent to 136 US cents, with a further commitment to increase the 2008 and 2009 dividends by at least 20 per cent in each year. • First major sale announced from $15 billion divestment target with Greens Creek sold for $750 million. Full year to 31 December (All dollars are US$ millions unless otherwise stated) 2007 2006 Change Underlying EBITDA* 13,920 12,524 +11% Underlying earnings* 7,443 7,338 +1% Net earnings* 7,312 7,438 -2% Cash flow from operations (incl. dividends from equity accounted units) 12,569 10,923 +15% Underlying earnings per share - US cents 578.9 550.3 +5% Earnings per share - US cents 568.7 557.8 +2% Ordinary dividends per share - US cents 136.0 104.0 +31% *Net earnings and underlying earnings relate to profit attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto. Underlying earnings is defined and reconciled to net earnings on page 4. EBITDA is defined on page 30. Underlying EBITDA excludes the same items that are excluded from underlying earnings. Chairman's comments Rio Tinto's chairman Paul Skinner said, '2007 was another successful year of significant achievement for Rio Tinto, with record sales generating our fourth consecutive year of record underlying earnings and record cash flows. We also invested at unprecedented levels in the future growth of the business, with the $38 billion Alcan acquisition and a series of high quality investment projects from our current portfolio. 'We continued to achieve high prices for our products, and our assessment of the economic and demand outlook remains very positive, despite recent unsettled conditions in the financial markets. The strong increases seen in global minerals demand are driven by demographic and economic fundamentals in fast-growing countries like China and India, whose large populations continue to urbanise. These long term trends are driven by domestic developments, and are therefore largely insulated from any potential near term weakness in western economies. 'With supply side constraints across the mining industry unlikely to ease in the near future, commodity prices are expected to stay high by historic standards in 2008 and well beyond. 'Rio Tinto's portfolio positions the Group exceptionally well to benefit from the growth in demand. In October 2007, the Group completed the acquisition of Alcan Inc., establishing Rio Tinto as a global leader in the aluminium sector. Our superior position in the supply of iron ore to Asia was reinforced during the year with record production and shipments. We have established a pathway to treble future iron ore production. 'In copper, our foothold in many of the world's best ore bodies was enhanced, with La Granja in Peru in particular turning out to be an even more valuable prospect than first envisaged. 'We believe that the Group's pipeline of growth projects is second to none, and the proven capability of Rio Tinto management in project execution and efficient operational performance gives the Board great confidence in our ability to deliver substantial value to shareholders. The smooth transition in executive leadership during a very busy year was a significant achievement. 'Rio Tinto's confidence in the outlook for its business, growth prospects and markets, is reflected in the 31 per cent increase in the ordinary dividend for the 2007 full year, and our forward commitment to increase the dividend by at least 20 per cent in 2008 and again in 2009. 'As you know, we recently received a pre-conditional offer from BHP Billiton to acquire all of the shares in Rio Tinto. After careful consideration, our Boards have unanimously rejected the offer on the basis that it is not in the best interests of shareholders. BHP Billiton's offer, while improved, still fails to recognise fully the underlying value of Rio Tinto's quality assets and prospects. 'Our Boards believe that these strong 2007 annual results illustrate that Rio Tinto is ideally placed to continue to create substantial future value for shareholders, which remains its first priority. With our combination of clear strategy, world class assets and outstanding people we are well positioned to deliver on this objective.' Chief executive's comments Tom Albanese, Rio Tinto's chief executive said, 'Rio Tinto had a stellar year in 2007, ahead of market expectations, and we're aiming for new heights in 2008. In an era of rising demand and rising prices, the value of our assets stands out, with their long resource lives, competitive cost positions and options for value-adding expansions. This is especially clear in products such as iron ore and aluminium where prices are based on high marginal costs of production in China. 'Rio Tinto is a great business with excellent prospects. I am firmly committed to capturing and delivering more value for shareholders as we boost operational performance and expand our high quality asset base. 'The Group set production records in iron ore, bauxite, aluminium, refined gold and refined copper on a comparable basis, as our increasing capital investment programme continued to deliver benefits. I am especially pleased to report that our excellent safety record improved again for a ninth consecutive year. 'Our acquisition of Alcan in 2007 has enhanced our position in the aluminium industry from a competitive regional player to the global industry leader with a unique combination of large resources, sustainable hydro power, and industry leading technology. We are a leader in the production of aluminium and bauxite globally, with an established pathway to leadership in alumina through the development of our competitively positioned Yarwun and Gove projects. During 2007, we approved an investment of $1.8 billion to expand the Yarwun alumina refinery by two million tonnes per year by 2011. 'Integration of the Alcan assets with Rio Tinto's is going well, and in November we announced we had increased our targeted synergy benefits up from $600 million to $940 million after tax annually from the end of 2009. 'In iron ore, we have an outstanding business with exceptional production growth and demand potential. In the near term, we are on target to reach production of 220 million tonnes** in 2009. During 2007 we committed an additional $3.6 billion in iron ore projects to expand Cape Lambert port capacity from 55 to 80 million tonnes with associated infrastructure, to expand Hope Downs from 22 to 30 million tonnes per annum, and to bring on the Mesa A and Brockman 4 mine development projects totalling nearly 50 million tonnes per annum. 'Our large capital projects in the Pilbara in Western Australia remain on schedule and on budget in a challenging environment. 'Over the longer term, we have outlined our capability to produce 600 million tonnes** of iron ore annually based on an unrivalled and unconstrained Pilbara port and rail infrastructure and our extensive global resource and mineralisation position. In Guinea, our Simandou project represents a major new iron ore province of high quality ore, which is reminiscent of the Pilbara in its earliest phases of development. 'Successful exploration activity at La Granja in Peru identified up to eight billion tonnes of mineralisation, potentially capable of supporting a 500,000 tonne per annum operation, enhancing our copper growth pipeline. We continue to add resources to Kennecott Utah Copper in Utah, USA, extending the life of an outstanding asset. 'In our other product groups, our ilmenite project in Madagascar will be completed on schedule around the end of the year, and we are already studying an expansion to two million tonnes per annum. The underground block cave development at the Argyle diamond mine is making good progress, with the value recovery programme identifying a number of opportunities. 'Cost escalation in the industry continued in 2007. To counter these effects, we are focused on overhead cost reduction, while also investing in cutting-edge technology. We recently announced an alliance with Komatsu to develop a world-leading system to automate our Pilbara iron ore operations. 'Following the Alcan acquisition, our balance sheet has carried more debt, and our goal is a single A credit rating. This will be achieved by using our strong organic cash flows, which are running at the rate of over $1 billion per month, and the proceeds of divestments. We have targeted an overall level of divestment of at least $15 billion of assets. These are all high quality businesses in themselves, but lack the scale or fit to be part of the enlarged Rio Tinto following the Alcan acquisition. 'Rio Tinto has a clear strategy, assets of the highest quality, outstanding growth options and a proven track record of value creation. Our goal is to make the business work faster at meeting the world's growing demand, better at leading and shaping our industry, and smarter at creating value for our shareholders.' ** 100 per cent basis. Net earnings and underlying earnings In order to provide additional insight into the performance of its business, Rio Tinto presents underlying earnings. The differences between underlying earnings and net earnings are set out in the following table. Year ended 31 December 2007 2006 US$m US$m Underlying earnings 7,443 7,338 Items excluded from underlying earnings Impairment (charges) less reversals (113) 44 Exchange differences and derivatives 190 14 Other, including non-recurring consequences of Alcan acquisition (208) 42 Net earnings 7,312 7,438 Commentary on the Group financial results 2007 underlying earnings of $7,443 million and 2007 net earnings of $7,312 million were $105 million above and $126 million below the comparable measures for 2006. The principal factors explaining the movements are set out in the table below. Year ended 31 December Underlying Net earnings earnings US$m US$m 2006 7,338 7,438 Prices 1,364 Exchange rates (403) Volumes 516 General inflation (218) Mining inflation (140) Freight and demurrage (163) Energy (82) Other cash costs (57) Non-cash costs (201) Exploration, evaluation and technology costs (309) Tax/other (202) 105 105 Impairment (charges) less reversals (157) Exchange differences and derivatives 176 Other, including non-recurring consequences of Alcan acquisition (250) 2007 7,443 7,312 Prices and exchange rates The effect of price movements on all major commodities was to increase earnings by $1,364 million. Prices for the major products remained strong throughout the year and were higher overall than those experienced in 2006: average copper prices were six per cent higher whilst average aluminium prices were three per cent higher. The strength of the global iron ore market was reflected in the 9.5 per cent increase in the benchmark price, mainly effective from 1 April 2007. The seaborne thermal and coking coal markets were also strong and strengthened further in the second half. Molybdenum prices averaged $30/lb throughout 2007, an increase of 20 per cent compared with the prior year. There was significant movement in the US dollar in 2007 relative to the currencies in which Rio Tinto incurs the majority of its costs. The Australian dollar was 11 per cent stronger, the Canadian dollar was six per cent stronger and the South African rand four per cent weaker. The effect of all currency movements was to decrease underlying earnings relative to 2006 by $403 million. Volumes Higher sales volumes predominantly from growth projects increased underlying earnings by $516 million compared with 2006. The ramp up of new projects in iron ore (including the Yandicoogina and brownfields expansions), higher volumes of copper in concentrate at Escondida from improved grades, higher refined copper sales from the Kennecott Utah Copper smelter operating at close to capacity and higher diamond grades at Diavik were the main contributors. Costs The Group continued to invest further in the future development of the business with an increased charge to underlying earnings of $309 million from exploration, evaluation and technology costs. Higher freight and demurrage costs and increased energy costs reduced underlying earnings by $163 million and $82 million, respectively. Significant shipping congestion at the port of Newcastle affected coal sales with a resulting impact on costs at Rio Tinto Coal Australia, through higher demurrage and a higher unit cost of sale. Higher contractor, maintenance and input costs were experienced throughout the Group, notably in the iron ore and copper operations, as industry supply constraints persisted. An increase in non cash costs reduced 2007 earnings by $201 million compared with 2006, following the completion of several large capital investment projects. Other The effective tax rate on underlying earnings, excluding equity accounted units, was 25.7 per cent compared with 24.2 per cent in 2006. The tax charge in 2007 was reduced by $392 million as a result of the impact of the reduction in the Canadian tax rate enacted in December 2007 on deferred tax provisions. The 2006 tax rate benefited from $335 million of US Alternative Minimum Tax credits, which were recognised on the balance sheet as a result of improved prospects for recovery of these from future taxable earnings from our US operations, as well as the utilisation of $140m of previously unrecognised tax assets. Alcan's contribution to underlying earnings for the nine weeks to 31 December 2007 was $424 million, including a benefit relating to the change in the Canadian tax rate as described above. Exploration divestments increased 2007 underlying earnings by $139 million relative to 2006. A higher interest charge from an increase in net debt following the Alcan acquisition reduced earnings by $248 million relative to 2006. Items excluded from underlying earnings In 2007 an impairment charge of $328 million after tax was recognised at Argyle following a decline in value from large increases in the estimated capital costs of the underground project. This was partly offset by the reversal of the residual impairments of Tarong Coal and Palabora following changes in circumstances that create good prospects for recovery of the restored carrying values. Other exclusions from underlying earnings in 2007, a charge of $208 million, mainly comprised non-recurring consequences of the Alcan acquisition. Of this total, $146 million resulted from the sale of Alcan inventories that were revalued based on selling prices at the date of acquisition. The balance primarily relates to other Alcan acquisition and integration costs. Net earnings in 2006 included net impairment reversals totalling $44 million. Impairments were reversed at Kennecott Utah Copper and the Iron Ore Company of Canada which more than offset impairment charges at Argyle and Tarong Coal. Cash flow Cash flow from operations, including dividends from equity accounted units, was a record $12,569 million, 15 per cent higher than in 2006. The Group invested at record levels, in particular in expansion projects. Net capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets was $4,968 million in 2007, an increase of $980 million over 2006. This included the completion of the second phase of the Dampier port and Yandicoogina iron ore mine expansions, as well as construction of the Hope Downs iron ore mine in Western Australia, the expansion of the Yarwun alumina refinery, the A418 dike construction at the Diavik diamond mine and the Madagascar ilmenite mine. Dividends paid in 2007 of $1,507 million were $1,066 million lower than dividends paid in 2006 which included a special dividend of $1.5 billion. The share buy back programme was discontinued after the announcement of the Alcan acquisition on 12 July 2007: returns to shareholders from the on-market buy back of Rio Tinto plc shares in 2007 totalled $1,611 million (net of $13 million proceeds from the exercise of options), compared with $2,339 million in 2006. Balance sheet Rio Tinto commissioned expert valuation consultants to advise on the fair values of Alcan's assets. As required under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the tangible and intangible assets of the acquired business have been uplifted to fair value. The residue of the purchase price not allocated to specific assets and liabilities has been attributed to goodwill. The provisional values incorporated in the 2007 financial statements will be subject to revision within 12 months of the date of acquisition as permitted by the relevant accounting standard, IFRS 3. The completion of the Alcan acquisition led to the drawdown of $38 billion of debt. This, together with the debt held by Alcan on acquisition, resulted in an increase in net debt of $42.7 billion to $45.2 billion at 31 December 2007. Debt to total capital duly rose to 63 per cent and interest cover was 20 times. Profit for the year IFRS require that the profit for the period reported in the income statement should also include earnings attributable to outside shareholders in subsidiaries. For 2007, the profit for the year was $7,746 million (2006 $7,867 million) of which $434 million (2006 $429 million) was attributable to outside shareholders, leaving $7,312 million (2006 $7,438 million) of net earnings attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders. Net earnings and underlying earnings, which are the focus of the commentary in this report, deal with amounts attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto. Dividends The Group has a progressive dividend policy and a multi decade track record of continual dividend growth over time. Dividends are determined in US dollars. Rio Tinto plc dividends are declared and paid in pounds sterling and Rio Tinto Limited dividends are declared and paid in Australian dollars, converted at exchange rates applicable on 11 February 2008. The interim and final dividends are summarised below. Ordinary dividend per share 2007 2006 Rio Tinto Group Interim (US cents) 52.00 40.00 Final (US cents) 84.00 64.00 Total dividend (US cents) 136.00 104.00 Rio Tinto plc Interim (pence) 25.59 21.42 Final (pence) 43.13 32.63 Total dividends (pence) 68.72 54.05 Rio Tinto Limited Interim (Australian cents) 60.69 52.48 Final (Australian cents) 93.02 82.84 Total dividends (Australian cents) 153.71 135.32 The 2007 full year dividend represents a 31 per cent increase on the previous year. Increases of at least 20 per cent in each year have already been announced for 2008 and 2009. Rio Tinto Limited shareholders will be paid dividends which will be fully franked. The board expects Rio Tinto Limited to be in a position to pay fully franked dividends for the reasonably foreseeable future. The respective dividends will be paid on Friday 11 April 2008 to holders of ordinary shares, with ADR holders to be paid on Monday 14 April 2008. This will apply to Rio Tinto plc and ADR shareholders on the register at the close of business on Friday 22 February 2008 and to Rio Tinto Limited shareholders on the register at the close of business on Tuesday 26 February 2008. The ex-dividend date for Rio Tinto plc, Rio Tinto Limited and Rio Tinto ADR shareholders will be Wednesday 20 February 2008. As usual, Rio Tinto will operate its Dividend Reinvestment Plan, details of which can be obtained from the Company Secretaries' offices and from the Rio Tinto website (www.riotinto.com). The last date for receipt of the election notice for the Dividend Reinvestment Plans is Wednesday 19 March 2008. Rio Tinto financial information by business unit Year ended 31 December Rio Tinto Gross sales revenue (a) EBITDA (b) Net earnings (c) US$ millions interest % 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 Iron Ore Hamersley (inc. HIsmelt) 100.0 6,155 4,416 3,427 2,611 2,151 1,673 Robe River (d) 53.0 1,640 1,379 991 902 503 461 Iron Ore Company of Canada 58.7 943 1,051 298 441 104 145 Rio Tinto Brasil 100.0 61 92 (1) 27 (12) 13 Product group operations 8,799 6,938 4,715 3,981 2,746 2,292 Evaluation projects/other - - (98) (45) (95) (41) 8,799 6,938 4,617 3,936 2,651 2,251 Energy Rio Tinto Energy America 100.0 1,560 1,428 331 302 132 177 Rio Tinto Coal Australia (e) 2,272 2,344 510 920 246 490 Rossing 68.6 486 229 235 71 95 27 Energy Resources of Australia 68.4 303 239 135 79 38 17 Product group operations 4,621 4,240 1,211 1,372 511 711 Evaluation projects/other - - (29) (14) (27) (5) 4,621 4,240 1,182 1,358 484 706 Aluminium Rio Tinto Aluminium (f) 3,511 3,493 1,314 1,389 695 763 Alcan 3,798 - 415 - 424 - Product group operations 7,309 3,493 1,729 1,389 1,119 763 Evaluation projects/other - - (28) (24) (22) (17) 7,309 3,493 1,701 1,365 1,097 746 Copper Kennecott Utah Copper 100.0 3,539 2,829 2,614 2,111 1,649 1,810 Escondida 30.0 3,103 2,575 2,510 2,105 1,525 1,250 Grasberg joint venture (g) 461 373 296 258 159 122 Palabora 57.7 689 588 202 203 58 52 Kennecott Minerals 100.0 338 277 175 139 106 105 Northparkes 80.0 371 437 212 346 137 229 Product group operations 8,501 7,079 6,009 5,162 3,634 3,568 Evaluation projects/other - - (200) (44) (155) (30) 8,501 7,079 5,809 5,118 3,479 3,538 Diamonds & Minerals Diamonds (h) 1,020 838 539 491 280 211 Iron and Titanium 1,673 1,449 471 428 164 152 Rio Tinto Minerals (i) 1,228 1,174 227 196 84 91 Product group operations 3,921 3,461 1,237 1,115 528 454 Evaluation projects/other - - (46) (54) (40) (48) 3,921 3,461 1,191 1,061 488 406 Other Operations 367 229 30 39 15 33 33,518 25,440 14,530 12,877 8,214 7,680 Other items (635) (252) (526) (241) Exploration and evaluation 25 (101) 20 (84) Net interest (265) (17) Underlying earnings 13,920 12,524 7,443 7,338 Items excluded from underlying earnings (309) 42 (131) 100 Total 33,518 25,440 13,611 12,566 7,312 7,438 Depreciation & amortisation in subsidiaries (2,115) (1,509) Impairment reversal/(charge) (58) 396 Depreciation & amortisation in equity accounted units (310) (275) Taxation and finance items in equity accounted units (973) (826) Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax 10,155 10,352 References above are to notes on page 30 Rio Tinto financial information by business unit (continued) Year ended 31 December Depreciation US$ millions Rio Capital & Operating Tinto Expenditure amortisation assets interest (j) (k) % 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 Iron Ore Hamersley (inc. HIsmelt) 100.0 1,597 1,700 352 231 6,133 4,317 Robe River (d) 53.0 241 104 104 90 1,877 1,593 Iron Ore Company of Canada 58.7 163 151 78 58 869 651 Rio Tinto Brasil 100.0 30 18 9 8 135 97 Other 34 8 3 - 24 4 2,065 1,981 546 387 9,038 6,662 Energy Rio Tinto Energy America 100.0 226 262 131 116 1,163 1,097 Rio Tinto Coal Australia (e) 226 251 165 170 1,802 1,397 Rossing 68.6 57 38 13 6 151 68 Energy Resources of Australia 68.4 80 31 50 32 296 201 Other - - 3 - 34 - 589 582 362 324 3,446 2,763 Aluminium Rio Tinto Aluminium (f) 295 236 303 266 4,144 3,607 Alcan 317 - 315 - 44,047 - 612 236 618 266 48,191 3,607 Copper Kennecott Utah Copper 100.0 282 295 251 151 1,694 1,789 Escondida 30.0 170 155 98 96 1,045 792 Grasberg joint venture (g) 76 45 24 43 410 412 Palabora 57.7 27 18 41 40 84 104 Kennecott Minerals 100.0 84 78 24 26 236 198 Northparkes 80.0 55 16 22 48 151 89 Other 22 57 1 - 498 341 716 664 461 404 4,118 3,725 Diamonds & Minerals Diamonds (h) 525 257 181 182 1,241 1,058 Iron and Titanium 494 252 119 112 2,202 1,522 Rio Tinto Minerals (i) 71 108 82 77 1,165 1,160 Other 17 - - - 24 4 1,107 617 382 371 4,632 3,744 Other Operations 37 23 2 2 139 208 5,126 4,103 2,371 1,754 69,564 20,709 Other items 144 174 54 30 360 (40) Less: equity accounted units (302) (289) (310) (275) - - Total 4,968 3,988 2,115 1,509 69,924 20,669 Less: Net debt (45,152) (2,437) Total Rio Tinto shareholders' equity 24,772 18,232 References above are to notes on page 30 Review of operations Comparison of underlying earnings 2007 underlying earnings of $7,443 million were $105 million above 2006 underlying earnings. The table below shows the difference by product group. All financial amounts in the tables below are US$ millions unless indicated otherwise. US$m 2006 underlying earnings 7,338 Iron ore 454 Aluminium 356 Copper 66 Energy (200) Diamonds & Minerals 74 Product group evaluation projects/other (198) Other operations (18) Central exploration, evaluation and technology (61) Interest (248) Other (120) 2007 underlying earnings 7,443 All subsequent references to earnings within the business unit section refer to underlying earnings. Production numbers represent the Rio Tinto share. Iron ore 2007 2006 Change Production (million tonnes - Rio Tinto share) 144.7 132.8 +9% Gross sales revenue ($ millions) 8,799 6,938 +27% Product group earnings ($ millions) 2,746 2,292 +20% Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax) (95) (41) +132% EBITDA ($ millions) 4,617 3,936 +17% Capital expenditure ($ millions) 2,065 1,981 +4% Market conditions In an iron ore market as tight as ever experienced, the success of the Pilbara Blend product was evidenced by sales achieving the benchmark price throughout the year. The price outlook for the 2008 contract year remains very positive, with spot prices in China substantially above prevailing contract prices. Hamersley Earnings of $2,151 million were $478 million above 2006. In 2007, Hamersley achieved record shipments of 109 million tonnes, up 12 per cent on the previous year, reflecting strong customer demand. Hamersley also achieved record production following the completion of the second phase mine, port and rail expansions. The $1 billion Hope Downs mine railed its first production in November 2007, three months ahead of schedule and the second phase of the Dampier port and Yandicoogina mine expansions were completed on schedule and on budget. Hamersley's 2007 earnings include a net loss of $50 million for the pilot HIsmelt plant (2006: $30 million net loss). The plant reached operation levels approaching nameplate capacity in December. This brought the total annual production of pig iron to 114,870 tonnes for 2007 from 88,733 tonnes in 2006, as the plant ramps up to 800,000 tonnes per annum nameplate capacity. Robe River Earnings of $503 million were $42 million above 2006, with higher prices compensating for a stronger Australian dollar and higher input costs. Iron Ore Company of Canada Earnings of $104 million were $41 million below 2006. 2007 production was affected by the previously reported seven week strike which occurred in the first and second quarters of the year and concluded with a five year wage agreement. These lower volumes together with the impact of the stronger Canadian dollar were only partly mitigated by higher prices. Rio Tinto Brasil Lower sales volumes attributable to low water levels on the Paraguay river and higher input costs turned earnings of $13 million in 2006 into a loss of $12 million in 2007. Iron ore projects Iron ore projects are now reported within the product group. Expenditure at the Simandou project in Guinea accelerated as the pre-feasibility study moved forward. Simandou is a world class opportunity to develop a large new high quality iron ore province facing the Atlantic basin. Energy 2007 2006 Change Production (Rio Tinto share) Coal (million tonnes) US 125.1 125.3 0% Hard coking coal 6.2 5.9 +5% Other Australian 24.4 31.2 -22% Uranium (000's pounds) 12,616 12,561 0% Gross sales revenue ($ millions) 4,621 4,240 +9% Product group earnings ($ millions) 511 711 -28% Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax) (27) (5) +440% EBITDA ($ millions) 1,182 1,358 -13% Capital expenditure ($ millions) 589 582 +1% US Coal - Rio Tinto Energy America Earnings of $132 million were $45 million below 2006, with improved prices offset by higher costs and increased taxes. Production records set at the Spring Creek and Antelope mines, as expansion projects neared completion, offset lower production at Jacobs Ranch and Colowyo. Asia Pacific seaborne coal markets Asian seaborne thermal coal prices continued to rise sharply throughout 2007 mainly due to supply disruptions from key producing countries. Issues relating to infrastructure controlled by external parties are likely to maintain market tightness for the foreseeable future. Rio Tinto Coal Australia Earnings of $246 million were $244 million below 2006, with higher demurrage and energy costs, lower thermal coal sales and lower realised prices. In general, production at the Australian coal mines continued to be constrained by rail and port constraints in Queensland and New South Wales and reduced tonnage of rail and port allotments in Queensland, which curtailed mined production, despite the generally favourable market conditions. Uranium markets Market sentiment continued to be positive during 2007. Supply from a number of producers fell short of expectations in 2007 while demand rose from new reactors, notably in China, and higher utilisation rates were experienced in the nuclear industry. These factors have contributed to tighter markets and an improvement in the longer term outlook for uranium demand. Rossing Earnings of $95 million, which were $68 million above 2006, benefited from positive market conditions and improved pricing. There was an increase in stripping and exploratory drilling in preparation for mine expansion. Energy Resources of Australia Earnings of $38 million were $21 million above 2006. Prices continued to benefit from the gradual replacement of legacy contracts with newer contracts written in an environment of higher prices. The exploration and evaluation programme focused on infill drilling to support the previously announced mine extension as well as the pre-feasibility study into a further mine expansion. In 2008, attention will be focused on defining the Ranger 3 Deeps deposit. Energy projects Energy projects are now reported within the product group. The increased charge in 2007 relates mainly to Rio Tinto's share of expenditure for the Hydrogen Energy joint venture. Aluminium 2007 2006 Change Production (Rio Tinto share) Bauxite (000 tonnes) 21,022 16,319 +29% Alumina (000 tonnes) 3,877 3,247 +19% Aluminium (000 tonnes) 1,480 845 +75% Gross sales revenue ($ millions) 7,309 3,493 +109% Product group earnings ($ millions) 1,119 763 +47% Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax) (22) (17) +29% EBITDA ($ millions) 1,701 1,365 +25% Capital expenditure ($ millions) 612 236 +159% The $38 billion acquisition of Alcan during 2007 established Rio Tinto Aluminium as an aluminium sector leader. It is anticipated to be a value accretive transaction for shareholders based on a very positive demand outlook and growing supply constraints in China. Alcan's contribution to underlying earnings for the nine weeks to 31 December 2007 was $424 million. This included a benefit relating to the change in the Canadian corporate tax rate. Prices The average aluminium price of 120 cents per pound was three per cent above the 2006 average price. Global demand growth for 2007 is expected to exceed ten per cent. Rising LME inventories towards the end of 2007 and strong growth in global output pushed aluminium prices lower in the second half of the year. The net effect of price movements increased earnings by $79 million. Bauxite Excluding the impact of the Alcan acquisition which accounted for 2,813,000 tonnes, 2007 bauxite production at Weipa was at record levels, 11 per cent higher than the prior year, reflecting increased capacity from the commissioning of the second shiploader. Alumina The Alcan acquisition contributed 1,144,000 tonnes of alumina production in 2007. At the time of the acquisition, a 1.8 million tonne per annum expansion of Alcan's Gove refinery was nearing completion, bringing expected total capacity to 3.8 million tonnes per annum. The final months of the year saw continued ramping up of the expansion which is expected to reach full nameplate capacity by the end of 2008. Aluminium Excluding the Alcan acquisition, aluminium production was relatively stable versus the prior year with annual production records achieved at Bell Bay, Boyne Island and Tiwai Point. The Alcan acquisition accounted for 618,000 tonnes in 2007. Aluminium projects Aluminium projects are now reported within the product group. The increased charge primarily related to the Abu Dhabi and Sarawak projects as they progressed during the year. Copper 2007 2006 Change Production (Rio Tinto share) 737.9 803.5 -8% Mined copper (000 tonnes) 390.0 299.2 +30% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 14.9 16.8 -11% Mined molybdenum (000 tonnes) 1,233 1,003 +23% Mined gold (000 oz) Gross sales revenue ($ millions) 8,501 7,079 +20% Product group earnings ($ millions) 3,634 3,568 +2% Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax) (155) (30) +417% EBITDA ($ millions) 5,809 5,118 +14% Capital expenditure ($ millions) 716 664 +8% Prices The average copper price of 324 cents per pound was six per cent above the 2006 average price. The gold price averaged $691 per ounce, an increase of 15 per cent on the prior year, whilst the average molybdenum price was $30 per pound, an increase of 20 per cent compared with 2006. The total impact of price changes, net of the effects of provisional pricing movements, increased earnings by $397 million. Kennecott Utah Copper Earnings of $1,649 million were $161 million lower than 2006. Higher volumes of refined copper and improved prices were outweighed by the absence of one-off tax credits of $289 million, following recognition of deferred tax assets in 2006. Smelter and refinery copper production was 21 per cent higher in 2007 compared with the prior year when major scheduled maintenance was undertaken on the smelter. Molybdenum production was 11 per cent lower than 2006 as a result of lower ore grade and high limestone levels in the orebody. Escondida Earnings of $1,525 million were $275 million above 2006, benefiting from higher prices and additional volumes from higher copper grades and a full year of refined copper production from sulphide leaching. Grasberg joint venture Earnings of $159 million were $37 million above 2006, mainly attributable to higher gold volumes. Variances in the metal sharing rates for 2007 were a major factor in lowering Rio Tinto's share of copper production and increasing its share of gold production in 2007, compared with 2006. Kennecott Minerals Earnings of $106 million were $1 million above 2006. The effects of higher prices for gold, silver and lead and higher gold volumes compensated for the absence of one-off tax credits. Palabora Earnings of $58 million, which were $6 million above the prior year, benefited from higher prices and volumes, achieved largely due to a nine per cent increase in underground production. Northparkes Earnings of $137 million were $92 million below 2006 attributable to the absence of a one-off credit and lower volumes leading to higher unit cash costs. Lower copper production followed an anticipated decline in grades in the E26 block cave and the processing of low grade stockpiles, as the mine transitioned towards production at E48. Copper projects Copper projects are now reported within the product group. Higher costs were incurred as the projects progressed through the various stages of evaluation. Exploration at the La Granja project in Peru discovered four new bodies of porphyry copper mineralisation in addition to extensions to the original La Granja deposit. Targeted mineralisation at the property is now up to eight billion tonnes of up to half a per cent copper equivalent. Exploration and evaluation drilling continued at the 55 per cent owned Resolution copper project in the US. There is significant potential to expand the deposit as it remains open in several directions. Recent high-grade intersections suggest further upside on deposit grade. At the Oyu Tolgoi copper project in Mongolia, Rio Tinto holds a 9.9 per cent equity interest in property owner Ivanhoe Mines and a 16 per cent interest in Entree Gold who share the adjacent Javhlant concession with Ivanhoe. Exploration by Ivanhoe on the Javhlant concession led to discovery of the Heruga porphyry copper-gold deposit at a depth of over 850 metres. The deposit remains open in several directions and delineation drilling continues. Provisional pricing At the end of 2007 the Group had 270 million pounds of copper sales that were provisionally priced at 304 cents per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined in 2008. The net effect of the provisional pricing movements in 2007 resulted in a benefit to earnings of $34 million compared with an earnings benefit of $224 million in 2006. Diamonds & Minerals 2007 2006 Change Production (Rio Tinto share) Diamonds (000 carats) 26,023 35,162 -26% Titanium dioxide (000 tonnes) 1,458 1,415 +3% Borates (000 tonnes) 560 553 +1% Gross sales revenue ($ millions) 3,921 3,461 +13% Product group earnings ($ millions) 528 454 +16% Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax) (40) (48) -17% EBITDA ($ millions) 1,191 1,061 +12% Capital expenditure ($ millions) 1,107 617 +79% Diamond markets The Christmas holiday period in the U.S. was assessed as generally weak overall, with many jewellers reporting declines in sales compared with 2006. The tight supply outlook for rough diamonds is expected to lead to healthy demand in 2008, especially for better quality rough diamonds. In the cutting centres, manufacturers' margins are likely to remain under pressure, due to a weak US dollar and rough price growth outpacing polished prices. Argyle Earnings of $87 million were $23 million above 2006, mainly attributable to higher rough sales, higher polished pink tender prices and a one-off tax benefit. Diavik Earnings of $193 million were $54 million above 2006. The effect of the stronger Canadian dollar was more than compensated by higher production as mining was almost exclusively from the higher grade A154S pipe in 2007 compared with a blend of A154S and A154N pipes in 2006. Murowa Earnings from Murowa of $3 million were $7 million below 2006, attributable to lower volumes arising from a strategy to increase stripping so as to improve pit stability. Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium Earnings of $164 million were $12 million above 2006. Demand for titanium dioxide chloride feedstock and metallic and zircon co-products remained firm, leading to improved prices for the year. Higher volumes and the one-off benefit of a lower Canadian corporate tax rate offset the impact of a stronger Canadian dollar. Rio Tinto Minerals Earnings of $84 million were $7 million below 2006. Pricing momentum was maintained but was offset by the absence of one-off tax benefits from the prior year. Diamonds and Minerals projects Diamonds and Minerals projects are now reported within the product group. Expenditure during the year mainly related to the potash project in Argentina. Other operations 2007 2006 Change Underlying earnings ($ millions) 15 33 -55% Closure activities relating to Kelian resulted in a $2 million loss in 2007. This compared with a $13 million profit in 2006 following the sale of the last remaining gold inventories. A significant tightening of the US mortgage market impacted Kennecott Land's Project Daybreak. During 2007, 550 residential lots were sold compared with sales of just over 900 lots during 2006. This project is one of the biggest privately owned land developments in the US and is located in a fast growing region with positive demographic trends. It is anticipated to add substantial value to shareholders over time. Exploration and Evaluation 2007 2006 Change Post-tax credit / (charge) ($ millions) 20 (84) +124% The post-tax centrally reported exploration charge is presented net of the profit on disposal of exploration properties. There was a significant step up in exploration and evaluation expenditure (pre-disposals) with a post-tax charge in 2007 of $175 million, compared with $140 million in 2006. As part of Rio Tinto's continuing focus on optimising its portfolio, $195 million (post-tax earnings) was realised from exploration divestments in 2007 compared with $56 million in 2006. Two greenfield discoveries, the Chapudi thermal coal deposit in South Africa and the Kintyre uranium deposit in Western Australia, were transferred to product group evaluation teams. Chapudi is an open-pittable resource in excess of one billion tonnes. Kintyre is now being offered for sale. One brownfield discovery, the Caliwingina North channel iron deposit, was transferred to Pilbara Iron adding 875Mt to Rio Tinto's Pilbara resource base. Greenfield order of magnitude studies continued at the Bunder project (diamonds, India) and commenced at the Chilubane and Mutamba (ilmenite, Mozambique), Jarandol and Jadar (borates, Serbia) and Namekara (vermiculite, Uganda) deposits. All are scheduled for completion in early to mid 2008. Negotiations continued with the Government of Indonesia on the Contract of Work for the Sulawesi nickel project. Significant progress at early stage greenfield projects in Australia (zircon), Brazil (bauxite), Canada (potash), Colombia (bauxite) and the US (nickel) is expected to lead to commencement of new order of magnitude studies in the second half of 2008. Several other projects are showing early encouragement and could be fast tracked to this stage. Capital projects Project Estimated Status/Milestones cost (100%) Completed in 2007 Iron ore - Expansion of Hamersley's (Rio Tinto $226m Project completed in March 2007. share 100%) Mount Tom Price mine to 28 million tonnes per annum capacity. Iron ore - Brownfields mine expansion of $530m First ore was produced in May 2007, with Hamersley's (Rio Tinto 100%) Yandicoogina mine the project completed at the end of the from 36 million tonnes per annum to 52 million third quarter of 2007 on time and on tonnes per annum. budget. Iron ore - Expansion of Hamersley's (Rio Tinto $803m This project was completed at the end of 100%) Dampier port (Phase B) from 116 million 2007 on schedule and on budget. tonnes per annum to 140 million tonnes per annum capacity and additional rolling stock and infrastructure. Iron ore - Hope Downs development (Rio Tinto $980m First production occurred in November share: 50% of mine and 100% of infrastructure). 2007, three months ahead of schedule. The Construction of 22 million tonnes per annum mine first train load took place in December and related infrastructure. 2007. Ongoing Copper - Kennecott Utah Copper (Rio Tinto 100%) $170m The project was approved in February 2005 East 1 pushback. The project extends the life of and work on the pushback continues. The the open pit to 2017 while retaining options for pebble crushing unit was commissioned in further underground or open pit mining thereafter. the third quarter of 2006. Titanium dioxide - Construction by QMM (Rio Tinto $1.0bn Construction is underway. The budget was 80%) of a greenfield ilmenite operation in revised in 2007. First production is Madagascar and associated upgrade of processing expected at the end of 2008. facilities at QIT. Alumina -Expansion of the Gove Alumina Refinery $2.3bn Approved in September 2004, the expansion (Rio Tinto 100%) from 2.0 to 3.8 million tonnes is expected to reach full nameplate per annum. capacity by the end of 2008. Aluminium - Development of the 370,000 tonne per $1.7bn Approved in February 2005, first annum greenfield Sohar smelter in Oman (Rio Tinto production is expected in the third 20%). quarter of 2008. Aluminium - Aluminium spent pot lining recycling $180m Approved in September 2006, the plant is plant in Quebec (Rio Tinto 100%). expected to begin pot lining treatment operations in the second quarter of 2008. Gold - Development of Cortez Hills (Rio Tinto $504m Approved in September 2005, the project 40%). continues to focus on permitting requirements. The project is on time and on budget. Uranium - Rossing (Rio Tinto 68.6%) uranium mine $112m Approved in December 2005, works are on life extension to 2016. schedule and on budget to prolong the life of the mine to 2016 and beyond. The mine life extension estimate remains at $82m with $30m of sustaining capital expenditure. Project Estimated Status/Milestones cost (100%) Ongoing (continued) Diamonds - Argyle (Rio Tinto 100%) development of < $1.5bn Approved in December 2005, the underground underground mine and open pit cutback, extending development consisting of 34 km of tunnels the life of the mine to 2018. and excavations is currently 40% complete. Construction of the major underground infrastructure will commence in February 2008. Full production from the underground mine is on schedule to be achieved by December 2010. Copper - Northparkes (Rio Tinto 80%) E48 block $160m Approved in November 2006. cave project extending mine life to 2016. Underground development has commenced and is on schedule for May 2009 production start. Energy - Clermont (Rio Tinto 50.1%) will produce $750m Approved in January 2007, first 12.2 million tonnes per annum, replacing Blair shipments are expected in the Athol. second quarter of 2010 with full capacity being reached in 2013. Iron ore - Cape Lambert port expansion (Rio Tinto $952m Approved in January 2007, the 53%) from 55 to 80 million tonnes per annum and project is forecast to be complete additional rolling stock and infrastructure. by the end of 2008, with progressive capacity ramp up in the first half of 2009. The estimated capital cost now includes $92m for additional rolling stock and infrastructure. Iron ore - Wharf upgrade and shiploader $65m The project is in progress and is replacement at East Intercourse Island (Rio Tinto expected to be complete by May 100%). 2009. Alumina - Expansion of Yarwun Alumina Refinery $1.8bn Approved in July 2007, the from 1.4 to 3.4 million tonnes per annum. expansion will more than double annual production at Yarwun and is expected to come onstream by 2011. Iron ore - Expansion of Hope Downs Stage 2 (Rio $350m Approved in August 2007, the Tinto 50%) from 22 to 30 million tonnes per annum. expansion will be complete by early 2009. Recently approved Diamonds - Construction at Diavik (Rio Tinto 60%) $787m Capital investment of $563 million of the underground mining. was approved in November 2007 in addition to $224 million invested in 2006-2007 for the feasibility studies and related capital projects. First production from the underground mine is expected to commence in 2009. Iron ore - Mesa A development (Rio Tinto 53%): $901m Approved in November 2007, the mine construction of a 25 million tonne per annum mine is forecast to be complete by 2010 and related infrastructure. with a progressive ramp up to 25 million tonnes per annum by 2011. Iron ore - Brockman 4 development (Rio Tinto $1,521m Approved in November 2007, Phase A 100%): construction of a 22 million tonne per of the project, to 22 million annum mine (Phase A) and related infrastructure. tonnes is forecast to be complete by 2010, with scope to expand further to 36 million tonnes per annum by 2012. Project Estimated Status/Milestones cost (100%) Recently approved (continued) Coking coal - extension and expansion of Kestrel $991m Approved in December 2007, the investment mine (Rio Tinto share 80%). will extend the life of the mine to 2031 and increase production to an average of 5.7mtpa. Nickel - Development of Eagle nickel mine in $300m Approved in December 2007, this high grade Michigan, US. nickel and copper mine is expected to commence production in late 2009, delivering 16,000 tonnes of nickel per annum over a seven year period. Aluminium - Replacement of overhead cranes and $270m Approved in January 2008, the mobile upgrade of crane runways on Lines 1 and 2 at Boyne cranes and associated runways on reduction Smelters (Rio Tinto 59.4%). Lines 1 and 2 will be replaced. The project is estimated to be completed by late 2010. Aluminium - Replacement of Lines 1 and 2 carbon $347m Approved in January 2008, the carbon bake furnace at Boyne Smelters (Rio Tinto 59.4%). baking furnace that supplies anodes to Lines 1and 2 will be replaced. The project is estimated to be completed by mid 2011. Price & exchange rate sensitivities The following sensitivities give the estimated effect on underlying earnings assuming that each individual price, exchange rate or interest rate moved in isolation. The relationship between currencies and commodity prices is a complex one and movements in exchange rates can cause movements in commodity prices and vice versa. The exchange rate sensitivities quoted below include the effect on operating costs of movements in exchange rates but exclude the effect of the revaluation of foreign currency working capital. They should therefore be used with care. Average price/exchange Change Effect on full year rate for 2007 underlying earnings US$m Copper 324c/lb +/- 32c/lb 360 Aluminium1 120c/lb +/-12c/lb 678 Gold $691/oz +/- $69/oz 64 Molybdenum $30/lb +/- $3/lb 69 Australian dollar1 84USc +/-8.4USc 494 Canadian dollar1 93USc +/-9.3USc 203 South African rand 14USc +/-1.4USc 55 US$ 3 month LIBOR2 +/-0.5% 158 1 Includes the full year effect of Alcan 2 Net interest sensitivity is the full year impact based on net debt at 31 December 2007. About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is 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. 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. For further information, please contact: Media Relations, London Media Relations, Australia Christina Mills Amanda Buckley Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627 Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349 Nick Cobban Ian Head Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Media Relations, Americas Nancy Ives Mobile: +1 619 540 3751 Investor Relations, London Investor Relations, Australia Nigel Jones Dave Skinner Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2049 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227365 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 David Ovington Simon Ellinor Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051 Office: +61 (0) 7 3867 1068 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811 Investor Relations, North America Jason Combes Office: +1 (0) 801 685 4535 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645 Email: questions@riotinto.com Website: www.riotinto.com High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk Group income statement Years ended 31 December 2007 2006 US$m US$m Gross sales revenue (including share of equity accounted units) (a) 33,518 25,440 Consolidated sales revenue 29,700 22,465 Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) (20,750) (13,650) Impairment (charges)/reversals (58) 396 Exploration and evaluation costs (b) (321) (237) Operating profit 8,571 8,974 Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units 1,584 1,378 Profit before finance items and taxation 10,155 10,352 Finance items Net exchange gains on external debt and intragroup balances 194 46 Net gains on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting 57 35 Interest receivable and similar income 134 106 Interest payable and similar charges (538) (160) Amortisation of discount related to provisions (166) (139) (319) (112) Profit before taxation 9,836 10,240 Taxation (2,090) (2,373) Profit for the year 7,746 7,867 - attributable to outside equity shareholders 434 429 - attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto (Net earnings) 7,312 7,438 Basic earnings per ordinary share (c) 568.7c 557.8c Diluted earnings per ordinary share 566.3c 555.6c Dividends paid during the year (US$m) 1,507 2,573 Dividends per share: paid during the year - regular dividends 116.0c 81.5c - special dividend - 110.0c Dividends per share: proposed in the announcement of the results for the year - final dividend 84.0c 64.0c (a) Gross sales revenue includes the sales revenue of equity accounted units of US$3,818 million (2006: US$2,975 million) in addition to Consolidated sales revenue, which relates only to subsidiary companies. (b) Exploration and evaluation costs are stated net of gains on disposal of undeveloped properties totalling US$253 million (2006: US$46 million). (c) For the purposes of calculating basic earnings per share, the weighted average number of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited shares outstanding during the year was 1,285.8 million (2006: 1,333.4 million), being the average number of Rio Tinto plc shares outstanding of 1,000.1 million (2006: 1,047.7 million), plus the average number of Rio Tinto Limited shares outstanding not held by Rio Tinto plc of 285.7 million (2006: 285.7 million). Group cash flow statement Years ended 31 December 2007 2006 US$m US$m Cash flow from consolidated operations 10,805 9,196 Dividends from equity accounted units 1,764 1,727 Cash flows from operations 12,569 10,923 Net interest paid (489) (128) Dividends paid to outside shareholders of subsidiaries (168) (193) Tax paid (3,421) (2,799) Cash flow from operating activities 8,491 7,803 Cash used in investing activities Net acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures & associates (37,526) (279) Purchase of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets (5,000) (3,992) Sales of financial assets 49 293 Purchases of financial assets (273) (167) Other investing cash flows 8 56 Cash used in investing activities (42,742) (4,089) Cash flow before financing activities (34,251) 3,714 Cash from/(used in) financing activities Equity dividends paid to Rio Tinto shareholders (1,507) (2,573) Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto shareholders (1,624) (2,370) Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares in Rio Tinto 13 31 Proceeds from additional borrowings 39,195 483 Repayment of borrowings (1,034) (1,102) Other financing cash flows 54 142 Cash from/(used in) financing activities 35,097 (5,389) Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (27) 30 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 819 (1,645) Opening cash and cash equivalents 722 2,367 Closing cash and cash equivalents 1,541 722 Cash flow from consolidated operations Profit for the year 7,746 7,867 Adjustments for: Taxation 2,090 2,373 Finance items 319 112 Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units (1,584) (1,378) Impairment charges/(reversals) 58 (396) Depreciation and amortisation 2,115 1,509 Provisions 308 60 Utilisation of provisions (162) (194) Utilisation of provision for post retirement benefits (121) (77) Change in inventories 130 (454) Change in trade and other receivables (385) (394) Change in trade and other payables 375 116 Other items (84) 52 10,805 9,196 Group balance sheet At 31 December 2007 2006 US$m US$m Non-current assets Goodwill 15,497 841 Intangible assets 7,910 384 Property, plant and equipment 45,647 22,207 Investments in equity accounted units 7,038 2,235 Loans to equity accounted units 245 136 Inventories 178 99 Trade and other receivables 1,862 983 Deferred tax assets 585 225 Tax recoverable 6 135 Other financial assets 580 374 79,548 27,619 Current assets Inventories 5,382 2,540 Trade and other receivables 6,479 2,938 Assets held for sale 7,024 - Loans to equity accounted units 117 15 Tax recoverable 250 79 Other financial assets 946 567 Cash and cash equivalents 1,645 736 21,843 6,875 Current liabilities Bank overdrafts repayable on demand (104) (14) Borrowings (8,109) (1,490) Trade and other payables (6,667) (2,693) Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale (2,632) - Other financial liabilities (878) (193) Tax payable (494) (1,024) Provisions (783) (366) (19,667) (5,780) Net current assets 2,176 1,095 Non-current liabilities Borrowings (38,614) (2,007) Trade and other payables (503) (362) Other financial liabilities (496) (233) Tax payable (66) (86) Deferred tax liabilities (6,486) (2,339) Provision for post retirement benefits (3,195) (770) Other provisions (6,040) (3,532) (55,400) (9,329) Net assets 26,324 19,385 Capital and reserves Share capital - Rio Tinto plc 172 172 - Rio Tinto Limited (excluding Rio Tinto plc interest) 1,219 1,099 Share premium account 1,932 1,919 Other reserves 2,416 641 Retained earnings 19,033 14,401 Equity attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders 24,772 18,232 Attributable to outside equity shareholders 1,552 1,153 Total equity 26,324 19,385 At 31 December 2007, Rio Tinto plc had 997.2 million ordinary shares in issue and Rio Tinto Limited had 285.7 million shares in issue, excluding those held by Rio Tinto plc. Net tangible assets per share was US$1.06 (2006: US$12.99). Group statement of recognised income and expense Years ended 31 December Attributable to Outside 2007 2006 shareholders of interests Total Total Rio Tinto US$m US$m US$m US$m Currency translation adjustment 1,886 135 2,021 866 Cash flow hedge fair value losses (201) (223) (424) (378) Gains on available for sale securities 49 2 51 19 Cash flow hedge losses transferred to the income statement 89 76 165 137 Gains on revaluation of available for sale securities transferred to the income statement (16) - (16) (4) Actuarial gains on post retirement benefit plans 135 6 141 373 Tax recognised directly in equity 153 40 193 102 Net income recognised directly in equity 2,095 36 2,131 1,115 Profit after tax for the year 7,312 434 7,746 7,867 Total recognised income for the year 9,407 470 9,877 8,982 Group statement of changes in equity Years ended 31 December Attributable to Outside 2007 2006 shareholders of interests Total Total Rio Tinto US$m US$m US$m US$m Opening balance 18,232 1,153 19,385 15,739 Total recognised income for the year 9,407 470 9,877 8,982 Dividends (1,507) (164) (1,671) (2,766) Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto shareholders -Under capital management programme (1,348) - (1,348) (2,658) -To satisfy share options (64) - (64) (49) Ordinary shares issued 13 - 13 31 Outside interests in acquired companies - 55 55 - Shares issued to outside interests - 38 38 69 Employee share options charged to income statement 39 - 39 23 Other movements - - - 14 Closing balance 24,772 1,552 26,324 19,385 Reconciliation with Australian IFRS The Group's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union ('EU IFRS'), which differs in certain respects from the version of IFRS that is applicable in Australia ('Australian IFRS'). Prior to 1 January 2004, the Group's financial statements were prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. Under EU IFRS goodwill on acquisitions prior to 1998, which was eliminated directly against equity in the Group's UK GAAP financial statements, has not been reinstated. This was permitted under the rules governing the transition to EU IFRS set out in IFRS 1. The equivalent Australian Standard, AASB 1, does not provide for the netting of goodwill against equity. As a consequence, shareholders' funds under Australian IFRS include the residue of such goodwill, which amounted to US$736 million at 31 December 2007 (2006: US$740 million). Save for the exception described above, the Group's financial statements drawn up in accordance with EU IFRS are consistent with the requirements of Australian IFRS. Reconciliation of Net earnings to Underlying earnings Outside Pre-tax Taxation interests Net amount Net amount 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m Exclusions from Underlying earnings Profits less losses on disposal of interests in businesses (a) 2 (1) - 1 3 Impairment (charges)/reversals (b) (58) 18 (73) (113) 44 Exchange differences and derivatives: - Exchange gains/(losses) on external debt and intragroup balances (c) 201 (37) (8) 156 (16) - Gains/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting (d), (e) 52 (19) 1 34 30 Other exclusions (f) (308) 99 - (209) 39 Total excluded from Underlying earnings (111) 60 (80) (131) 100 Net earnings 9,836 (2,090) (434) 7,312 7,438 Underlying earnings 9,947 (2,150) (354) 7,443 7,338 'Underlying earnings' is an alternative measure of earnings, which is reported by Rio Tinto to provide greater understanding of the underlying business performance of its operations. Underlying earnings and Net earnings both represent amounts attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders. Items (a) to (f) below are excluded from Net earnings in arriving at Underlying earnings. (a) Gains and losses arising on the disposal of interests in businesses. (b) Charges and credits relating to impairment of non-current assets other than undeveloped properties. (c) Exchange gains and losses on US dollar debt and intragroup balances. (d) Valuation changes on currency and interest rate derivatives which are ineligible for hedge accounting, other than those embedded in commercial contracts. (e) The currency revaluation of embedded US dollar derivatives contained in contracts held by entities whose functional currency is not the US dollar. (f) Other credits and charges that, individually, or in aggregate if of a similar type, are of a nature or size to require exclusion in order to provide additional insight into underlying business performance. Other charges excluded from underlying earnings, in 2007, primarily resulted from the acquisition of Alcan. These include the non-recurring impact of US$213 million on pre-tax profit of revaluing inventories on acquisition based on selling price, together with integration costs. Consolidated net debt 2007 2006 US$m US$m Analysis of changes in consolidated net debt Opening balance (2,437) (1,313) Adjustment on currency translation (223) (56) Exchange gains credited to the income statement 136 38 Gains on derivatives related to net debt 11 44 Debt of acquired companies (5,465) - Cash movement excluding exchange movements (37,332) (1,146) Other movements 158 (4) Closing balance (45,152) (2,437) Analysis of closing balance Borrowings (46,723) (3,497) Bank overdrafts repayable on demand (104) (14) Cash and cash equivalents 1,645 736 Other liquid resources 6 6 Derivatives related to net debt 24 332 Consolidated net debt (45,152) (2,437) Geographical analysis (by destination) Years ended 31 December 2007 2006 2007 2006 % % US$m US$m Gross sales revenue 22.6 21.9 North America 7,582 5,575 19.8 17.2 Europe 6,641 4,378 16.8 19.6 Japan 5,633 4,986 18.0 16.0 China 6,021 4,062 12.2 13.5 Other Asia 4,105 3,438 5.6 5.8 Australia and New Zealand 1,892 1,477 5.0 6.0 Other 1,644 1,524 100.0 100.0 Total 33,518 25,440 Prima facie tax reconciliation 2007 2006 US$m US$m Profit before taxation 9,836 10,240 Deduct: share of profit after tax of equity accounted units (1,584) (1,378) Parent companies' and subsidiaries' profit before tax 8,252 8,862 Prima facie tax payable at UK and Australian rate of 30% 2,476 2,659 Impact of items excluded from Underlying earnings (28) 201 Other permanent differences Additional recognition of deferred tax assets (a) - (335) Utilisation of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets - (140) Adjustments to deferred tax liabilities following changes in tax rates (b) (392) (46) Other tax rates applicable outside the UK and Australia 271 242 Resource depletion and other depreciation allowances (173) (187) Research, development and other investment allowances (81) (21) Other items 17 - (358) (487) Total taxation charge (c) (d) 2,090 2,373 (a) The 'Additional recognition of deferred tax assets' of US$335 million in 2006 reflected improved prospects for future earnings from the Group's US operations. (b) The 'Adjustments to deferred tax liabilities following changes in tax rates', totalling US$392 million (2006: US$46 million) result from a reduction in Canadian tax rates. (c) This tax reconciliation relates to the parent companies and subsidiaries and proportionally consolidated units. The Group's share of profit of equity accounted units is net of tax charges of US$917 million (2006: US$770 million). (d) The total taxation charge includes UK - US$150 million (credit), Australia - US$1,378 million and Other - US$862 million (2006: UK - US$41 million, Australia - US$1,420 million and Other - US$912 million). Acquisitions On 23 October 2007, the Rio Tinto Group acquired a controlling 79.42% interest in the issued share capital of Alcan Inc. The remaining 20.58% was acquired by 14 November 2007. The total purchase price to acquire Alcan Inc amounted to US$38.7 billion, which comprised US$38.5 billion of cash and US$0.2bn of liabilities assumed. Alcan Inc. is the parent company of an international group of companies involved in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, engineered products, flexible and specialty packaging, as well as related research and development. The Group has decided to dispose of Alcan Packaging, which is presented in the balance sheet in the lines: 'Assets held for sale' and 'Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale'. Therefore, the income and cash flow statements for the year exclude amounts relating to Alcan Packaging. The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of Alcan Inc. as at the date of acquisition were provisionally estimated as follows: Fair Provisional IFRS carrying value fair values adjustments values US$m US$m US$m Intangible assets 804 6,663 7,467 Property, Plant & Equipment 11,579 6,703 18,282 Equity method investments 1,415 2,770 4,185 Inventories 2,643 213 2,856 Assets held for sale 6,984 - 6,984 Cash 991 - 991 Deferred tax assets 223 5 228 Other assets 4,353 231 4,584 Loans and borrowings (5,580) 115 (5,465) Liabilities of disposal group held for sale (2,642) - (2,642) Deferred tax liabilities (461) (3,721) (4,182) Provisions for liabilities and charges (4,581) (57) (4,638) Other liabilities (4,265) (211) (4,476) Minority interest (55) - (55) Goodwill 2,055 12,478 14,533 Net attributable assets including goodwill 13,463 25,189 38,652 Total consideration: Cost of shares 37,996 Acquisition costs 74 Liabilities assumed 132 Loan to acquired subsidiary 450 Total Consideration - Alcan 38,652 Other subsidiaries and EAUs acquired 54 Total Consideration 38,706 Cash outflow on acquisitions: Total consideration 38,706 Net cash of acquired companies (991) Liabilities assumed (132) Other (57) Net acquisitions per cash flow statement 37,526 The future economic benefits represented by the goodwill include those associated with synergies, future development and expansion projects and the assembled workforce. As a result of the size of the acquisition and complexity of the valuation process, the above fair values are provisional. These will be subject to further review during the 12 months from the acquisition date. For the period since acquisition, sales revenue of US$3,544 million (excluding equity accounted units) and profit after tax of US$294 million attributable to continuing operations are included in the Group income statement. Accounting policies The financial information included in this report has been prepared on the basis of all IFRSs and Interpretations adopted by the European Union that are mandatory for periods ending 31 December 2007 and in accordance with: applicable United Kingdom law, applicable Australian law as amended by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Order dated 27 January 2006 (as amended on 22 December 2006); and Article 4 of the European Union IAS regulation. The EU IFRS financial information has been drawn up on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the year to 31 December 2006, except as follows: - the Group has adopted weighted average cost as its method of inventory valuation. This method of inventory valuation is more widely used by companies in the mining industry. Previously, the Group valued its inventories on the basis of First In, First Out ('FIFO'). The effect of this adjustment is not material to Group earnings or to shareholders' funds in the current or prior periods. Therefore, prior period information has not been restated. - The Group has also applied other new accounting standards and interpretations in the year. These affect disclosure only, and have no impact on this financial information. Therefore, full details will be included in the 2007 Annual Report and Financial Statements. Certain prior year information has been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Exploration and evaluation costs charged against income were previously included in 'Cash used in investing activities' but are now included within 'Cash flow from operating activities'. As a result, exploration and evaluation costs expensed of US$273 million have been reclassified in the comparative figures for the full year 2006, within the Cash flow statement. Status of financial information This preliminary announcement does not constitute the Group's full financial statements for 2007, which will be approved by the Board and reported on by the auditors on 5 March 2008 and subsequently filed with the Registrar of Companies and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Accordingly, the financial information for 2007 is unaudited and does not have the status of statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Financial information for the year to 31 December 2006 has been extracted from the full financial statements prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain derivative contracts and financial assets, as filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' report on the full financial statements for the year to 31 December 2006 was unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) of the United Kingdom Companies Act 1985 (regarding adequacy of accounting records and returns), or under 237(3) (regarding provision of necessary information and explanations). Notes to financial information by business unit (Pages 8 and 9) The following changes have been made to the presentation of this information. Full year 2006 results have been reclassified accordingly. Product groups/business segments During 2007, Industrial Minerals and Diamonds were combined to form the Diamonds and Minerals product group. Other Project evaluation and other costs specifically attributable to product groups are now reported as part of product group earnings. Previously, these were reported centrally in 'Exploration and evaluation' and 'Other items', respectively. Capitalised evaluation costs Capital expenditure by product group now includes capitalised evaluation costs. Business units have been classified according to the Group's management structure. Generally, this structure has regard to the primary product of each business unit but there are exceptions. For example, the Copper group includes certain gold operations. (a) Gross sales revenue includes 100 per cent of subsidiaries' sales revenue and the Group's share of the sales revenue of equity accounted units. (b) EBITDA of subsidiaries and the Group's share of EBITDA relating to equity accounted units represents profit before: tax, net finance items, depreciation and amortisation. (c) Net earnings represent profit after tax for the period attributable to the Rio Tinto Group. Earnings of subsidiaries are stated before finance items but after the amortisation of the discount related to provisions. Earnings attributable to equity accounted units include interest charges and amortisation of discount. Earnings attributed to business units do not include amounts that are excluded in arriving at Underlying earnings. (d) The Group holds 65 per cent of Robe River Iron Associates, of which 30 per cent is held through a 60 per cent owned subsidiary. The Group's net beneficial interest is therefore 53 per cent, net of amounts attributable to outside equity shareholders. (e) Includes Rio Tinto's 75.7 per cent interest in Coal and Allied, which is managed by Rio Tinto Coal Australia, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Rio Tinto. (f) Includes Rio Tinto's interests in Rio Tinto Aluminum (100 per cent) and Anglesey Aluminium (51 per cent). (g) Under the terms of a joint venture agreement, Rio Tinto is entitled to 40 per cent of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. (h) Diamonds includes Rio Tinto's interests in Argyle (100 per cent), Diavik (60 per cent) and Murowa (77.8 per cent). (i) Includes Rio Tinto's interests in Rio Tinto Borax (100 per cent), Dampier Salt (68.4 per cent) and Luzenac Talc (100 per cent). (j) Capital expenditure comprises the net cash outflow on purchases less disposals of property, plant and equipment, capitalised evaluation costs and purchases less disposals of other intangible assets. The details provided include 100 per cent of subsidiaries' capital expenditure and Rio Tinto's share of the capital expenditure of equity accounted units. Amounts relating to equity accounted units not specifically funded by Rio Tinto are deducted before arriving at total capital expenditure for the Group. (k) Operating assets of subsidiaries comprise net assets before deducting net debt, less outside shareholders' interests which are calculated by reference to the net assets of the relevant companies (i.e. net of such companies' debt). For equity accounted units, Rio Tinto's net investment is shown. Summary financial data in Australian dollars, Sterling and US dollars 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 A$m A$m £m £m US$m US$m 39,957 33,810 16,741 13,818 Gross sales revenue 33,518 25,440 35,405 29,856 14,834 12,203 Consolidated sales revenue 29,700 22,465 11,725 13,609 4,913 5,562 Profit before taxation 9,836 10,240 9,234 10,455 3,869 4,273 Profit for the year 7,746 7,867 Net earnings attributable to Rio 8,717 9,885 3,652 4,040 Tinto shareholders 7,312 7,438 8,873 9,752 3,718 3,986 Underlying earnings (a) 7,443 7,338 677.9c 741.3c 284.0p 303.0p Basic earnings per ordinary share 568.7c 557.8c 690.1c 731.3c 289.1p 298.9p Basic Underlying earnings per 578.9c 550.3c ordinary share (a) Dividends per share to Rio Tinto shareholders 143.5c 107.3c 58.2p 44.8p - paid (regular) 116.0c 81.5c - 145.4c - 61.9p - paid (special) - 110.0c 93.0c 82.8c 43.1p 32.6p - proposed final dividend 84.0c 64.0c (40,830) 4,936 (17,107) 2,017 Cash flow before financing (34,251) 3,714 activities (51,426) (3,084) (22,683) (1,241) Net debt (45,152) (2,437) 28,214 23,069 12,444 9,283 Equity attributable to 24,772 18,232 Rio Tinto shareholders (a) Underlying earnings exclude net expenses of US$131 million (2006: US$100 million net income), which are analysed on page 26. (b) The financial data above has been extracted from the financial information set out on pages 22 to 27. The Australian dollar and Sterling amounts are based on the US dollar amounts, retranslated at average or closing rates as appropriate, except for the dividends which are the actual amounts payable. Metal prices and exchange rates Increase/ 2007 2006 (Decrease) Metal prices - average for the period Copper - US cents/lb 324c 306c 6% Aluminium - US cents/lb 120c 116c 3% Gold - US$/troy oz US$691 US$602 15% Molybdenum - US$/lb US$30 US$25 20% Average exchange rates in US$ Sterling 2.00 1.84 9% Australian dollar 0.84 0.75 11% Canadian dollar 0.93 0.88 6% South African rand 0.14 0.15 (4%) Period end exchange rates in US$ Sterling 1.99 1.96 1% Australian dollar 0.88 0.79 11% Canadian dollar 1.01 0.86 18% South African rand 0.15 0.14 2% Availability of this report This report is available on the Rio Tinto website. 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