Poised for exceptional growth

Rio Tinto PLC
26 November 2007



Date: 26 November 2007

Ref: PR579g



Rio Tinto poised for exceptional growth


Rio Tinto today presents its annual investor seminar setting out in detail its
strategy and growth plans.


Chief executive Tom Albanese and some of his senior management team will provide
additional information to investors on the significant value within Rio Tinto
and how the Group's portfolio of assets and growth options are exceptionally
well placed to benefit from the global rise in demand for metals and minerals.


Five key value drivers will be outlined:


•         An exceptional growth strategy in iron ore and a strong pricing
outlook, with a conceptual pathway to treble production to over 600 million
tonnes per annum.

•         Positioned as the world's leading aluminium and bauxite producer with
an excellent portfolio of growth projects and a strong market outlook.
Anticipated post tax synergies resulting from the Alcan integration have been
increased by more than 50 per cent from US$600 million to US$940 million per
annum.

•         As one of the world's leading copper businesses Rio Tinto has an
impressive pipeline of exciting projects with interests in many of the world's
largest undeveloped mineralisation opportunities.  Recent exploration at the La
Granja project in Peru has highlighted the potential for doubling forecast
production to in excess of 500,000 tonnes per annum.

•         An increase in the divestment target from at least US$10 billion to at
least US$15 billion following a strategic review.

•         A capital management strategy focused on enhancing shareholder returns
from cash flow while providing flexibility for ongoing growth. The total 2007
dividend will be increased by 30 per cent with a further annual total increase
of no less than 20 per cent in each of the following two years.  This reflects
the Board's confidence in the business.


Tom Albanese said: 'The rise in global mineral demand is a trend that we expect
to continue for decades because of fundamental demographic and economic shifts,
especially in developing economies like China and India. We believe that the
value in Rio Tinto is yet to be fully reflected by the market.


'We believe we have a better growth pipeline than our competitors, which puts
Rio Tinto in a strong position to supply the metal-hungry world.  We have the
people, execution capability and resources to work smarter, faster and better
than our competitors.  We also believe our track record of delivery is
unrivalled and we look forward with confidence to a hugely exciting future.'


The seminar will be webcast live at 09.00 GMT/20.00 Australian Eastern Daylight
Saving Time on the Rio Tinto website, www.riotinto.com, on Monday, 26 November
and available online afterwards.  A copy of the presentation as well as a
transcript of the presentation will also be available on the Rio Tinto website.

Five key value drivers in detail:

1.       Exceptional growth prospects in iron ore and strong pricing outlook


•         Conceptual pathway to production of over 600 million tonnes per annum,
including 420 million tonnes per annum from the Pilbara.

•         US$2.4 billion has been committed to develop the Mesa A and Brockman 4
iron ore deposits in the Pilbara in Western Australia.

•         Targeted additional mineralisation in the Pilbara region of 20 to 30
billion tonnes and 8 to 11 billion tonnes at Simandou in Guinea (non-JORC
compliant Rio Tinto estimates).

•         Pilbara rail and port infrastructure secures Rio Tinto's position as
the premier supplier, positioning Rio Tinto to reap maximum benefit from strong
pricing outlook.

•         Simandou is a major new, high quality haematite deposit (with a
targeted grade of 65 per cent iron) in proximity to the Atlantic Basin and the
Middle East. Simandou has a potential production capacity of 70 million tonnes
per annum with options to expand to 120 million tonnes per annum and 170 million
tonnes per annum in the future. Feasibility studies are likely to be completed
by 2010 with first production in 2013.

•         Demonstrated capability to deliver growth with a compound annual
growth rate in iron ore production of 14.8 per cent over the period from 1999 to
2007.



2.       Number one position in global aluminium with excellent growth and
market outlook following integration of Alcan


•         Strong outlook for pricing and demand.

•         Post tax synergy target from Alcan integration increased to US$940
million per annum (up from US$600 million), deliverable by the end of 2009.

•         Enhanced growth options to achieve number one global position in
alumina and retain number one position in bauxite and aluminium.

•         Strong fit with strategic focus on the best assets in the aluminium
industry - competitively positioned operations with improving cost position
backed by hydro power.

•         Cutting edge technology, global reach and operational expertise to
capitalise on the demand outlook.

•         Renewed focus on upstream assets with decision to explore divestment
of the Engineered Products division.

•         Attractive growth opportunities in alumina refining with expansions at
Yarwun and Gove and primary aluminium smelting with expansion at Kitimat in
British Columbia, a new smelter in Oman and other projects in Abu Dhabi,
Malaysia and South Africa


3.      One of the world's leading copper businesses with an impressive pipeline
of projects


•         Low position on cash cost curve.

•         Excellent long term growth prospects with interests in many of the
world's largest undeveloped copper targets.

•         La Granja in Peru has targeted mineralisation of 4 to 8 billion tonnes
at a copper equivalent grade of 0.5 per cent (a non-JORC compliant Rio Tinto
estimate). The mine has the potential to produce in excess of 500,000 tonnes per
annum, double what was previously anticipated. It was acquired in 2005 for US$22
million plus a work commitment of US$60 million.  First production is expected
in 2014

•         Development work on Oyu Tolgoi is progressing well with significant
further exploration potential in Mongolia. Average production is projected at
440,000 tonnes per annum of copper and 320,000 ounces per annum of gold over the
projected life of the mine.

•         Significant extension options in copper, gold, and molybdenum at
Kennecott Utah Copper operations and upside on the Resolution project.

•         Nickel projects in Indonesia and the US offer a pathway to becoming a
top tier global nickel producer.



4.      Raising divestment target from at least US$10 billion to at least US$15
billion following strategic review


•         Asset divestment target following the Alcan acquisition raised from at
least US$10 billion to at least US$15 billion following the completion of a
strategic review, which has highlighted approximately US$30 billion of potential
divestments.

•         Rio Tinto will explore options for the sale of a shortlist of assets.
These are all good businesses and any sales will be value driven and dependent
on price. The following businesses are included in the short list:

          o        Rio Tinto Alcan Packaging (previously announced)

          o        Rio Tinto Energy America (previously announced)

          o        Rio Tinto Alcan Engineered Products (global)

          o        Cortez/Pipeline (gold, 40 per cent stake, US)

          o        Greens Creek (zinc, lead, silver, 70 per cent stake, US)

          o        Rio Tinto Minerals Talc (Europe, Australia, North America)

          o        Northparkes (copper/gold, 80 per cent stake, Australia)

          o        Sweetwater (uranium project, not operational, US)

          o        Kintyre (uranium project, not operational, Australia)


5.      Capital management strategy focused on enhancing shareholder returns and
providing flexibility for ongoing growth.


•         The total 2007 dividend will be increased by 30 per cent with a
further annual total increase of no less than 20 per cent in each of the
following two years, reflecting the Board's belief in the business.

•         Estimated post tax US$1.7 billion per annum cash flow enhancement
expected by 2010.

•         Financial strength to pursue capital expenditure programme, forecast
at U$9 billion in 2008 and 2009, while maintaining the goal of a single A credit
rating and a commitment not to raise equity as part of the refinancing of the
debt incurred in the Alcan transaction.



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.


Dial in numbers for conference call at 9am (GMT)
UK                       [phone]
Australia                [phone]
Singapore                [phone]
Hong Kong                [phone]
Japan                    [phone]
International            [phone]

Access Code              8345606


For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, London                       Media Relations, Australia

Christina Mills                               Ian Head
Office: [phone]                  Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                  Mobile: [phone]

Nick Cobban                                   Amanda Buckley
Office:  [phone]                 Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                  Mobile: [phone]


Media Relations, US                           Media Relations, Canada

Nancy Ives                                    Bryan Tucker
Mobile: [phone]                       Office:  [phone]


Investor Relations, London                    Investor Relations, Australia
Nigel Jones                                   Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                  Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                  Mobile: [phone]
                                               

David Ovington                                Investor Relations, North America

Office:  [phone]                 Jason Combes
Mobile: [phone]                  Office:  [phone]
                                              Mobile: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]


Website: www.riotinto.com

High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk
Photos from today's presentation will be available from 11.45am (UK time) at: http://
www.piranhaphotography.com/rio-tinto



Forward looking statements

This article includes 'forward-looking statements'. All statements other than
statements of historical facts included in this article, including, without
limitation, any 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), 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
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 article. 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 article 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 article with their consent or any person
involved in the preparation of this article 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 article will be achieved.



Responsibility statement


The Directors of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited accept responsibility for
the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and
belief of the Directors of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited (who have taken
all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained
in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything
likely to affect the import of such information.


Subject to the above, 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 presentation will be achieved.



Mineralisation data


The targeted additional mineralisation figures in this announcement are based on
Rio Tinto's exploration and production experience in the relevant regions,
including an assessment of tenure areas using surface mapping, drilling results
and other information.  The potential mineralisation is conceptual in nature -
there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is
uncertain if further exploration will result in the determination of a mineral
resource.




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