Shareholder information

Dividends

Both Companies have paid dividends on their shares every year since incorporation in 1962. The rights of Rio Tinto shareholders to receive dividends are explained under the description of the Dual Listed Companies' Structure.

Dividend policy

The aim of Rio Tinto's progressive dividend policy is to increase the US dollar value of ordinary dividends over time, without cutting them during economic downturns.

The rate of the total annual dividend, in US dollars, is determined taking into account the results for the past year and the outlook for the current year. The interim dividend is set at one half of the total ordinary dividend for the previous year. Under Rio Tinto's dividend policy, the final ordinary dividend for each year is expected to be at least equal to the previous interim dividend.

Dividend determination

The majority of the Group's sales are transacted in US dollars, making this the most reliable measure for the Group's global business performance. It is Rio Tinto's main reporting currency and consequently the natural currency for dividend determination. Dividends determined in US dollars are translated at exchange rates prevailing two days prior to the announcement and are then declared payable in sterling by Rio Tinto plc and in Australian dollars by Rio Tinto Limited.

On request, shareholders of Rio Tinto plc can elect to receive dividends in Australian dollars and shareholders of Rio Tinto Limited can elect to receive dividends in sterling. Shareholders requiring further information should contact Computershare.

2007 dividends

The 2007 interim and final dividends were determined at 52.0 US cents and at 84.0 US cents per share respectively and the applicable translation rates were US$2.0321 and US$1.9476 to the pound sterling and US$0.8568 and US$0.90305 to the Australian dollar.

Final dividends of 43.13 pence per share and of 93.02 Australian cents per share will be paid on 11 April 2008. A final dividend of 336 US cents per Rio Tinto plc ADR (each representing four shares) will be paid by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA to ADR holders on 14 April 2008.

The tables below set out the amounts of interim, final and special cash dividends paid or payable on each share or ADS in respect of each financial year, but before deduction of any withholding tax.

Dividend reinvestment plan (DRP)

Rio Tinto offers a DRP to registered shareholders, which provides the opportunity to use cash dividends to purchase Rio Tinto shares in the market free of commission. See Taxation for an explanation of the tax consequences. Due to local legislation the DRP cannot be extended to shareholders in the US, Canada and certain other countries. Please contact Computershare for further information.