Operations & financial report

Mineral resources

As required by the Australian Securities Exchange, the following tables contain details of other mineralisation that has a reasonable prospect of being economically extracted in the future but which is not yet classified as Proved or Probable Reserves. This material is defined as Mineral Resources under the JORC Code. Estimates of such material are based largely on geological information with only preliminary consideration of mining, economic and other factors. While in the judgement of the Competent Person there are realistic expectations that all or part of the Mineral Resources will eventually become Proved or Probable Reserves, there is no guarantee that this will occur as the result depends on further technical and economic studies and prevailing economic conditions in the future. Where operations are not managed by Rio Tinto the resources are published as received from the managing company.

Resources are stated as additional to the reserves reported earlier.

	Likely mining method (a)	Measured resources at end 2007		Indicated resources at end 2007		Inferred resources at end 2007		Total resources 2007 compared with 2006				Rio Tinto interest %
		Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage		Grade
								2007	2006	2007	2006
BAUXITE		millions of tonnes	% Al₂O₃	millions of tonnes	% Al₂O₃	millions of tonnes	% Al₂O₃	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	% Al₂O₃	% Al₂O₃
Gove (Australia) (b)	O/P	37	50.4	43	49.8	3	50.3	83	-	50.1	-	100.0
Sangaredi (Guinea) (b)	O/P	226	51.4	202	48.9	233	48.2	661	-	49.5	-	22.9
Porto Trombetas (MRN) (Brazil) (b)	O/P					444	50.0	444	-	50.0	-	12.0
Weipa (Australia) (b)	O/P	133	48.9	2,086	51.0			2,219	2,114	50.9	51.0	100.0
BORATES		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes
Rio Tinto Minerals-Boron (US)	O/P	5.3				0.1		5.4	5.4			100.0

		Coal type (c)		Coal resources at end 2007
				Measured	Indicated	Inferred
COAL				millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes
Chapudi (South Africa) (d)	O/C	SC		90	220	730		1,040	-			59.1
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (Australia)
Bengalla	O/C+U/G	SC		30	81	59		170	170			30.3
Blair Athol (e)	O/C	SC						-	4			71.2
Clermont	O/C	SC		11		4		15	15			50.1
Hail Creek	O/C	MC			117	118		235	235			82.0
Hunter Valley Operations	O/C+U/G	SC+MC		119	575	698		1,392	1,392			75.7
Kestrel	U/G	MC		9				9	-			80.0
Kestrel West	U/G	SC+MC			153			153	165			80.0
Lake Elphinstone	O/C	SC+MC			61	17		78	78			82.0
Maules Creek	O/C+U/G	SC+MC		160	520			680	680			75.7
Mount Pleasant	O/C+U/G	SC+MC		200	218	281		699	699			75.7
Mount Thorley Operations	U/G	SC+MC		30	68	17		115	115			60.6
Oaklands	O/C	SC		480	800			1,280	1,280			75.7
SW Yarraman (f)	O/C	SC						-	111			100.0
Tarong-Kunioon (f)	O/C	SC						-	727			100.0
Tarong-Meandu (f)	O/C	SC						-	335			100.0
Valeria	O/C	SC		200	240			440	440			71.2
Vickery	O/C+U/G	SC+MC		100	200			300	300			75.7
Warkworth	O/C+U/G	SC+MC		104	287	32		423	423			42.1
Winchester South	O/C	SC+MC		90	7			97	97			75.0
Rio Tinto Energy America (US)
Antelope (g)	O/C	SC			73			73	-			100.0
Colowyo (h)	O/C+U/G	SC		159	68	21		248	192			100.0
Decker (i)	O/C	SC		43				43	63			50.0

See notes at the bottom of this page

	Likely mining method (a)	Measured resources at end 2007		Indicated resources at end 2007		Inferred resources at end 2007		Total resources 2007 compared with 2006				Rio Tinto interest %
		Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage		Grade
								2007	2006	2007	2006
COPPER		millions of tonnes	grade %Cu	millions of tonnes	grade %Cu	millions of tonnes	grade %Cu	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	% Cu	% Cu
Bingham Canyon (US)	O/P					9	0.34	9	8	0.34	0.37	100.0
Eagle (US) (j)	U/G			0.3	2.51	0.3	2.19	0.6	4.1	2.34	2.89	100.0
Escondida (Chile) (k)
- sulphide	O/P	1.1	0.69	141	0.80	598	0.83	740	865	0.83	0.85	30.0
- sulphide leach	O/P	37	0.44	447	0.42	3,128	0.47	3,612	4,797	0.47	0.47	30.0
- oxide	O/P					39	0.86	39	14	0.86	1.09	30.0
Grasberg (Indonesia) (l)	O/P+U/G	683	0.59	2,121	0.56	245	0.37	3,049	2,787	0.55	0.53	(l)
Northparkes (Australia) (m)
- open pit	O/P	8.4	0.55	3.6	0.36			12.0	1.8	0.49	0.64	80.0
- underground	U/G	16	0.82	2.4	0.18			18	26.4	0.79	0.80	80.0
Oyu Tolgoi (Mongolia) (n)
- South Oyu	O/P			189	0.43	267	0.34	456	-	0.38	-	9.9
- Hugo South	U/G					490	1.05	490	-	1.05	-	9.9
- Hugo North	U/G			703	1.82	723	0.97	1426	-	1.39	-	9.9
- Hugo North Extension	U/G			117	1.80	96	1.15	213	-	1.51	-	13.5
Palabora (South Africa) (o)
- stockpiles		7.9	0.31					7.9	16.6	0.31	0.27	57.7
DIAMONDS		millions of tonnes	carats per tonne	millions of tonnes	carats per tonne	millions of tonnes	carats per tonne	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	carats per tonne	carats per tonne
Argyle (Australia)
AK1 pipe	U/G	40	2.9	26	3.1	9.3	2.0	75	75	2.9	2.8	100.0
Alluvials	O/P	11	0.2	8.0	0.2	9.0	0.2	28	28	0.2	0.2	100.0
Diavik (Canada)	O/P+U/G			4.1	3.1	3.6	3.2	7.7	7.7	3.1	3.0	60.0
Murowa (Zimbabwe)	O/P					1.4	0.4	1.4	1.4	0.4	0.4	77.8
GOLD		millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	grammes per tonne
Bingham Canyon (US)	O/P					9	0.28	9	8	0.28	0.30	100.0
Cortez/Pipeline (US) (p) (ll)	O/P+U/G	6.8	1.45	62	1.57	18	5.25	87	73	2.30	2.62	40.0
Grasberg (Indonesia) (l)	O/P+U/G	683	0.49	2,121	0.50	245	0.40	3,049	2,787	0.49	0.46	(l)
Greens Creek (US) (ll)	U/G			0.3	4.54	2.1	4.42	2.4	2.2	4.43	4.55	70.3
Northparkes (Australia) (m)
- open pit	O/P	8.4	0.42	3.6	0.21			12.0	1.8	0.35	0.56	80.0
- underground	U/G	16	0.30	2.4	0.18			18	26.4	0.29	0.25	80.0
Oyu Tolgoi (Mongolia) (n)
- South Oyu	O/P			189	0.27	267	0.23	456	-	0.25	-	9.9
- Hugo South	U/G					490	0.09	490	-	0.09	-	9.9
- Hugo North	U/G			703	0.39	723	0.30	1,426	-	0.34	-	9.9
- Hugo North Extension	U/G			117	0.61	96	0.31	213	-	0.48	-	13.5
Wabu (Indonesia)	O/P					43	2.56	43	43	2.56	2.56	(l)

See notes at the bottom of this page

	Likely mining method (a)	Measured resources at end 2007		Indicated resources at end 2007		Inferred resources at end 2007		Total resources 2007 compared with 2006				Rio Tinto interest %
		Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage	Grade	Tonnage		Grade
								2007	2006	2007	2006
IRON ORE		millions of tonnes	%Fe	millions of tonnes	%Fe	millions of tonnes	%Fe	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%Fe	%Fe
Channar (Australia) (q)	O/P	25	61.9					25	45	61.9	62.0	60.0
Corumbá (Brazil) (r)	O/P	38	64.1	51	63.4	493	62.6	583	429	62.7	62.7	100.0
Eastern Range (Australia) (s)	O/P	10	61.6	5	61.7	15	61.8	30	60	61.7	61.8	54.0
Hamersley (Australia)
- Brockman 2 (t)	O/P	5	62.9			5	62.2	10	5	62.6	62.5	100.0
- Brockman 4 (t)	O/P	15	62.1	15	61.9	5	62.6	35	30	62.1	61.9	100.0
- Hope Downs 1 Marra Mamba (u)	O/P	5	61.8	60	62.1	30	60.2	95	70	61.4	62.0	50.0
- Hope Downs 1 Detritals (u)	O/P					25	59.5	25	70	59.5	59.7	50.0
- Marandoo Marra Mamba	O/P	95	62.0	75	62.3	390	62.5	560	565	62.4	62.3	100.0
- Mt Tom Price high grade (q)	O/P	35	63.2	55	64.1	10	64.5	100	120	63.9	63.9	100.0
- Mt Tom Price low grade	O/P	30	56.8	25	55.2	5	54.8	60	55	55.9	56.0	100.0
- Mt Tom Price Marra Mamba (v)	O/P	15	61.8					15	10	61.8	61.7	100.0
- Nammuldi Detrital (w)	O/P	5	60.4	75	60.7			80	100	60.7	61.1	100.0
- Nammuldi Marra Mamba (x)	O/P	110	62.9	165	62.7			275	220	62.8	62.6	100.0
- Paraburdoo Brockman (y)	O/P	15	62.8			75	63.8	90	125	63.6	63.5	100.0
- Yandicoogina	O/P	290	57.9	355	58.0	30	57.8	675	675	57.9	57.9	100.0
Undeveloped resources (z)
- Hamersley Brockman ore	O/P	40	62.6	1,530	62.5	2,210	62.5	3,780	3,760	62.5	62.5
- Hamersley Brockman Process ore (aa)	O/P	220	57.6	460	57.5	1,105	54.4	1,785	-	55.6	-
- Hope Downs Brockman ore (bb)	O/P			170	61.9	215	62.4	385	290	62.2	61.9
- Hope Downs Brockman Process ore (aa)	O/P			80	56.4	115	57.1	195	-	56.8	-
- Marra Mamba ore	O/P			640	62.3	1,650	62.1	2,290	2,105	62.2	62.4
- Channel Iron deposits (cc)	O/P					1,750	57.0	1,750	875	57.0	57.2
- Detrital deposits (dd)	O/P	5	63.4	140	61.8	90	60.1	235	190	61.2	61.0
Iron Ore Company of Canada (Canada)	O/P	217	65.0	362	65.0	871	65.0	1,449	1,371	65.0	65.0	58.7
Palabora (South Africa) (ee)	O/P			240	55.9			240	-	55.9	-	57.6
Robe River (Australia)
- Pisolite developed resources	O/P	100	56.3	5	57.0	30	56.7	135	130	56.4	56.4	53.0
- Pisolite undeveloped resources	O/P	50	58.9	1,020	58.3	460	57.7	1,530	1,585	58.1	58.3	53.0
- Marra Mamba developed resources (ff)	O/P	65	62.3	125	62.3			190	150	62.3	62.4	53.0
- Marra Mamba undeveloped resources (ff)	O/P			270	61.5	175	59.3	445	355	60.6	61.4	53.0
LEAD		millions of tonnes	%Pb	millions of tonnes	%Pb	millions of tonnes	%Pb	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%Pb	%Pb
Greens Creek (US) (ll)	U/G			0.3	3.41	2.1	4.00	2.4	2.2	3.92	4.04	70.3
MOLYBDENUM		millions of tonnes	%Mo	millions of tonnes	%Mo	millions of tonnes	%Mo	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%Mo	%Mo
Bingham Canyon (US)	O/P					9	0.039	9	8	0.039	0.043	100.0
NICKEL		millions of tonnes	%Ni	millions of tonnes	%Ni	millions of tonnes	%Ni	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%Ni	%Ni
Eagle (US) (j)	U/G			0.3	2.99	0.3	2.37	0.6	4.1	2.65	3.59	100.0
POTASH		millions of tonnes	%KCl	millions of tonnes	%KCl	millions of tonnes	%KCl	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%KCl	%KCl
Potasio Rio Colorado (Argentina) (gg)	S/M			360	34.2	677	31.0	1,037	-	32.1	-	100.0
SILVER		millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	grammes per tonne	grammes per tonne
Bingham Canyon (US)	O/P					9	1.7	9	8	1.7	2.0	100.0
Grasberg (Indonesia)	O/P+U/G	683	3.5	2,121	3.3	245	1.8	3,049	2,787	3.2	2.9	(l)
Greens Creek (US) (ll)	U/G			0.3	193	2.1	498	2.4	2.2	458	475	70.3
Wabu (Indonesia)	O/P					43	2.5	43	43	2.5	2.5	(l)
TALC		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc (Europe/N America/Australia)	O/P+U/G	19		32		29		80	84			100.0
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes		millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes
QIT (Canada)	O/P	4.1						4.1	4.0			100.0
QMM (Madagascar)	D/O	0.3		36.7		1.8		38.8	38.8			80.0
RBM (South Africa) (hh)	D/O			2.9		0.1		3.0	1.3			50.0
URANIUM		millions of tonnes	%U₃O₈	millions of tonnes	%U₃O₈	millions of tonnes	%U₃O₈	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%U₃O₈	%U₃O₈
Energy Resources of Australia (Australia)
- Jabiluka (ii)	U/G	1.2	0.887	13.9	0.520	10.0	0.545	25.1	31.1	0.547	0.528	68.4
- Ranger #3 (jj)	O/P	14.6	0.079	13.5	0.150	14.3	0.131	42.4	31.8	0.119	0.136	68.4
Rössing (Namibia) (kk)	O/P	2.7	0.021	114.9	0.026	73.7	0.020	191.3	572.8	0.023	0.026	68.6
ZINC		millions of tonnes	%Zn	millions of tonnes	%Zn	millions of tonnes	%Zn	millions of tonnes	millions of tonnes	%Zn	%Zn
Greens Creek (US) (ll)	U/G			0.3	7.94	2.1	10.46	2.4	2.2	10.12	10.35	70.3

See notes at the bottom of this page

Notes

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(a) Likely mining method: O/P = open pit; O/C = open cut; U/G = underground; D/O = dredging operation; S/M = solution mining
(b) Rio Tinto acquired the operating assets of Alcan with effect from 24 October 2007 and resources are presented here for the first time. The Weipa deposit includes the resource for Ely as the deposit is contiguous. Rio Tinto has an 80 per cent interest in the Awaso mine in Ghana but the resource estimate is still under review.
(c) Coal type: SC = steam/thermal coal, MC = metallurgical/coking coal.
(d) Following completion of technical and economic studies the resources at Chapudi are presented here for the first time.
(e) All resources at Blair Athol were upgraded to reserves.
(f) Contracts have been signed for the sale of the Tarong Meandu, Kunioon and SW Yarraman properties with transfer being effected on 31 January 2008.
(g) Resources at Antelope increased as a result of further drilling and mine planning studies.
(h) Resources at Colowyo were increased following the acquisition of the Collom lease.
(i) Resources at Decker were reduced following a boundary re-evaluation.
(j) Following completion of economic and technical studies at the Eagle project resources were largely upgraded to reserves.
(k) Reporting for Escondida and Escondida Norte is combined for 2007. The decrease in resources results from conversion to reserves and a change in economic parameters.
(l) Under the terms of a joint venture agreement between Rio Tinto and FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled to a direct 40 per cent share in resources discovered after 31 December 1994. The increase in resources results from the recategorisation of some reserve material.
(m) Following completion of a feasibility study, additional material was identified at Northparkes for open pit mining resulting in an increase in resources. Transfer of resources to reserves resulted in a decrease of underground resources.
(n) Whilst economic and technical studies continue at the Oyu Tolgoi deposits, resources are presented here for the first time.
(o) Stockpiles at Palabora decreased as the material was transferred for processing.
(p) The increase in resources at Cortez resulted from inclusion of additional material from the underground study area.
(q) Resources at Channar and Mt Tom Price (HG) have decreased as a result of the development of a new resource model and subsequent conversion of resources to reserves.
(r) Resources at Corumbá have increased mainly as a result of the re-evaluation of resources in lease extensions.
(s) Resources at Eastern Range have decreased as a result of new pit designs converting resources to reserves.
(t) Resources at Brockman 2 and Brockman 4 have increased as a result of the development of new resource models incorporating results from additional drilling.
(u) Additional drilling and re-modelling was completed for Hope Downs in 2007 resulting in new resource models and some reclassification of material.
(v) Resources of Marra Mamba ore at Mt Tom Price have increased following the transfer of material from reserves.
(w) Detrital iron ore resources at Nammuldi have decreased as a result of the development of new resource models incorporating results from additional drilling.
(x) Marra Mamba iron ore resources at Nammuldi have increased as a result of the development of new resource models incorporating results from additional drilling.
(y) Resources at Paraburdoo have been divided into Brockman and Marra Mamba ore types for the first time in 2007. Decreases are due to new pit designs converting all Marra Mamba resources to reserves and additional Brockman resources to reserves.
(z) Resources in this category consist of 36 separate deposits, 20 of which are wholly owned by Hamersley Iron. The previously included Shovelanna resource held by the Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture (RRJV) has been removed pending resolution of a dispute over tenure. The resource is the subject of mining lease applications by the RRJV. An external party has sought High Court leave to appeal the decision of the Western Australian Court of Appeal upholding the Minister for Resource's decision under the Western Australian Mining Act to terminate that party's earlier exploration licence applications. As at 6 February 2008, the leave application will be heard on a date to be set by the High Court.
(aa) Brockman Process ore is reported for the first time in 2007. This low grade material is derived from currently reported high grade resources these are not new deposits or extensions, but are contained within the mineralisation envelope that defines the high grade areas and are now economic. All material is reported as in-situ.
(bb) The increase in resources is derived from Hope Downs 4 and results from signifcant additional drilling, re-interpretation and re-estimation.
(cc) The increase in Hamersley Channel Iron Deposit resources results from the reporting of the Caliwingina North deposit for the first time in 2007.
(dd) The increase in Detrital Iron Deposit resources results from the reporting of new deposits for the first time in 2007 and re-evaluation of existing resources.
(ee) The magnetite stockpile resource at Palabora is reported for the first time following completion of economic studies.
(ff) The inclusion of high grade hydrated material increased resources for the Robe River Marra Mamba deposits.
(gg) Following completion of technical and economic studies the resource at Potasio Rio Colorado is reported for the first time. The resource is shown as estimated recoverable tonnes of material.
(hh) The introduction of tailings and stockpile material increased the resources at RBM.
(ii) Revision of the geological and resource model resulted in a decrease of resources at Jabiluka.
(jj) Additional resources at Ranger result from additional drilling and an updated Resource model plus additions to the low grade stockpiles.
(kk) A review of the evaluation methodology resulted in a net reduction in the resources at Rössing.
(ll) In February 2008 Rio Tinto entered into agreements to sell its interests in Greens Creek and Cortez.