Operations financial review

Murowa

Murowa (Rio Tinto: 77.8 per cent)

Production at Murowa commenced in late 2004 after US$11 million was spent on constructing a 200,000 tonnes per year plant and supporting infrastructure. Chain of custody safeguards put in place at the commencement of production have performed without incident.

2007 operating performance

The effects of power disruptions and lower feed head grades meant that Rio Tinto’s share of diamonds recovered decreased to 0.11 million carats from 0.19 million carats in 2006. Operating conditions in the country remained challenging with hyperinflation and commodity shortages.