RioTinto Iron Ore Shovelanna

Rio Tinto PLC
21 April 2006


Rio Tinto Iron Ore welcomes Shovelanna decision


Rio Tinto Iron Ore today welcomed the decision by the Western Australian
Government to enable it to pursue the Shovelanna resource.


Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Sam Walsh said, 'The Iron Ore group had
always intended to renew the Shovelanna tenement and as evidence of this
intention had paid the annual rental well ahead of the due date and despatched
its renewal application by first class overnight courier one week ahead of the
due date for renewal.'


'Rio Tinto Iron Ore has conducted extensive exploration and evaluation
programmes at Shovelanna.'


'Investors in the resource industry need confidence and security that long term
decisions can be made in a stable and certain policy and administrative
environment.'


'We appreciate the recognition of this and look forward to working with the
Western Australian Government to ensure the continued development of the State's
resources.'




For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                               AUSTRALIA

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Hugh Leggatt                                         Ian Head

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Investor Relations                                   Investor Relations

Nigel Jones                                          Dave Skinner

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Mobile: [phone]                         Mobile: [phone]



David Ovington                                       Susie Creswell

Office:  [phone]                        Office:  [phone]

Mobile: [phone]                         Mobile: [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com



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