Operations & financial report

Production data notes

1. Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for iron ore and bauxite (beneficiated plus calcined) which represent production of saleable quantities of ore.
2. Rio Tinto percentage share, shown above, is as at the end of 2007 and has applied over the period 2005 - 2007 except for those operations where the share has varied during the year and the weighted average for them is shown below. The Rio Tinto share varies at individual mines and refineries in the "others" category and thus no value is shown.




Rio Tinto Share %

Operation	See note	2005	2006	2007
Queensland Alumina	(e)	38.6	38.6	46.3
Palabora	(l)	49.0	50.5	57.7
Rio Tinto Minerals - salt	(p)	64.9	64.9	67.0



3. Rio Tinto sold its 56.2 per cent share in Eurallumina with an effective date of 31 October 2006 and production data are shown up to that date.
4. Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007; production is shown as from that date. The Rio Tinto assets and the Alcan assets have been combined under the Rio Tinto Alcan name.
5. Rio Tinto held a 38.6 per cent share in QAL until 24 October 2007; this increased to 80.0 per cent following the Alcan acquisition.
6. Yarwun was previously known as Comalco Alumina Refinery.
7. Rio Tinto has an 80 per cent interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20 per cent of production.
8. Rio Tinto has a 22.9 per cent shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45 per cent of production under the partnership agreement.
9. Borate quantities are expressed as B₂O₃.
10. In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.
11. Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), 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.
12. Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora varied during 2005 and 2006 due to the progressive conversion of debentures into ordinary shares.
13. On 30 November 2005, Rio Tinto sold its 14.5 per cent in Lihir Gold; it had agreed in September 2005 to relinquish the management agreement for Lihir. The production data are shown up to 30 September 2005, from which date the Rio Tinto interest in Lihir was held as an investment rather than being equity accounted.
14. Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100 per cent of the production from the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement (Rio Tinto 54 per cent), Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture.
15. Hope Downs started production in the fourth quarter of 2007
16. Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to 68.4 per cent at the beginning of July 2007.
17. Talc production includes some products derived from purchased ores.
18. Quantities comprise 100 per cent of QIT and 50 per cent of Richards Bay Minerals' production.
19. With effect from the second quarter of 2007 Rio Tinto is reporting uranium production as '000 lbs U₃O₈ rather than tonnes.
20. In February 2008 Rio Tinto entered into agreements to sell its interests in Greens Creek and Cortez.