Shareholder information
Definitions and exchange rates
Non Mining DefinitionsA - P | R - U |
Mining and technical definitionsA - C | F - O | P - Z |
Throughout this document, the collective expressions Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto Group and Group are used for convenience only. Depending on the context in which they are used, they mean Rio Tinto plc and/or Rio Tinto Limited and/or one or more of the individual companies in which Rio Tinto plc and/or Rio Tinto Limited directly or indirectly own investments, all of which are separate and distinct legal entities.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the meanings shown below:
| ADR | American Depositary Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares (ADS). |
| Australian dollars | Australian currency. Abbreviates to A$. |
| Australian GAAP | Generally accepted accounting principles in Australia. |
| AIFRS | International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in Australia. |
| Billion | One thousand million. |
| Canadian dollars | Canadian currency. Abbreviates to C$. |
| Company/Companies | Rio Tinto plc and/or Rio Tinto Limited, as the context so requires. |
| DLC merger | Dual listed companies merger (1995). |
| EU IFRS | International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. |
| IASB | International Accounting Standards Board. |
| IFRS | International Financial Reporting Standards. |
| LBMA | London Bullion Market Association. |
| LME | London Metal Exchange. |
| Pounds sterling | UK currency. Abbreviates to £, pence or p. |
| Public shareholders | The holders of Rio Tinto plc shares that are not companies in the Rio Tinto Limited Group and the holders of Rio Tinto Limited shares that are not companies in the Rio Tinto plc Group. |
Conversion of weights and measures
1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams
1 kilogram = 32.15 troy ounces
1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds
1 metric tonne = 1,000 kilograms
1 metric tonne = 2,204.6 pounds
1 metric tonne = 1.1023 short tons
1 short ton = 2,000 pounds
1 long ton = 2,240 pounds
1 gram per metric tonne = 0.02917 troy ounces per short ton
1 gram per metric tonne = 0.03215 troy ounces per metric tonne
1 kilometre = 0.6214 miles
Exchange rates
The following tables show, for the periods and dates indicated, certain information regarding the exchange rates for the pound sterling and Australian dollar, based on the Noon Buying Rates for pounds sterling and Australian dollars expressed in US dollars per £1.00 and per A$1.00.
| Year ended 31 December* | Period end |
Average rate |
High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1.44 | 1.86 | 2.03 | 1.44 |
| 2007 | 1.99 | 2.00 | 2.11 | 1.92 |
| 2006 | 1.96 | 1.84 | 1.98 | 1.72 |
| 2005 | 1.73 | 1.82 | 1.93 | 1.71 |
| 2004 | 1.93 | 1.83 | 1.95 | 1.76 |
*The Noon Buying Rate on such dates differed slightly from the rates used in the preparation of Rio Tinto's financial statements as of such date. No representation is made that pound sterling and Australian dollar amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into dollars at the Noon Buying Rate on such dates or at any other dates.
| Year ended 31 December* | Period end |
Average rate |
High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0.698 | 0.852 | 0.983 | 0.607 |
| 2007 | 0.878 | 0.839 | 0.937 | 0.772 |
| 2006 | 0.788 | 0.753 | 0.791 | 0.706 |
| 2005 | 0.734 | 0.763 | 0.799 | 0.727 |
| 2004 | 0.783 | 0.737 | 0.798 | 0.686 |
*The Noon Buying Rate on such dates differed slightly from the rates used in the preparation of Rio Tinto's financial statements as of such date. No representation is made that pound sterling and Australian dollar amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into dollars at the Noon Buying Rate on such dates or at any other dates.
