BHP Billiton's offer

Rio Tinto PLC 06 February 2008 Rio Tinto notes BHP Billiton's pre-conditional offer 6 February 2008 Rio Tinto notes the announcement by BHP Billiton of its intention to make offers to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of Rio Tinto plc at an exchange ratio of 3.4 BHP Billiton shares per Rio Tinto plc share, consisting of 80% BHP Billiton plc shares and 20% BHP Billiton Limited shares, and the whole of the issued share capital of Rio Tinto Limited at an exchange ratio of 3.4 BHP Billiton Limited shares per Rio Tinto Limited share. The offers are subject to pre-conditions relating to merger control and regulatory approvals in a number of jurisdictions. Rio Tinto's chairman Paul Skinner said: 'The Boards of Rio Tinto will consider the terms of the proposal carefully in the light of all circumstances and will make a further statement once they have completed this assessment. In the meantime, the Boards encourage shareholders not to take any action.' About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London 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. A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate. There can be no certainty that any offer will be made nor as to the terms on which any offer may be made. In the United States, Rio Tinto will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on Schedule 14D-9 following commencement of a tender offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and holders of Ordinary Shares and American Depositary Shares are advised to read it when it becomes available as it will contain important information. Copies of the Schedule 14D-9 and other related documents filed by Rio Tinto will be available free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Rio Tinto may be obtained free of charge by contacting Rio Tinto's media or investor relations departments or on Rio Tinto's website at www.riotinto.com. Any documents filed by BHP Billiton, including any registration statement on Form F-4 (which will include a preliminary prospectus) and related exchange offer materials as well as any Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, will also be available free of charge on the SEC's website. For further information, please contact: Media Relations, London Media Relations, Australia Christina Mills Ian Head Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Nick Cobban Amanda Buckley Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349 Media Relations, US 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 227 365 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 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 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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