Shareholder information

This section contains key shareholder information and data

Long term value

The US$1 billion QMM Madagascar mineral sands operation was completed on schedule in 2008 and is expected to be in production for 40 years. It is the largest foreign investment in Madagascar

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At the QMM minerals sands operations at Fort-Dauphin in south eastern Madagascar, Rio Tinto is building for growth. Utilising rock quarried locally, the construction of a new deep sea port of Ehoala, and the surrounding roads and infrastructure will enable ilmenite from the mine to be shipped to Rio Tinto's processing facilities in Canada, and will also contribute to the economic development of the region.

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.

2008 dividends

The 2008 interim and final dividends were determined at 68.0 US cents and at 68.0 US cents per share respectively and the applicable translation rates were US$1.8759 and US$1.46885 to the pound sterling and US$0.8791 and US$0.6701 to the Australian dollar.

Final dividends of 46.29 pence per share and of 101.48 Australian cents per share will be paid on 8 April 2009. A final dividend of 272 US cents per Rio Tinto plc ADR (each representing four shares) will be paid by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA to ADR holders on 9 April 2009.

The charts 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.

**Rio Tinto Group - US cents per share**
	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Interim	68.0	52.0	40.0	38.5	32.0
Final	68.0	84.0	64.0	41.5	45.0
Special	-	-	-	110.0	-
Total	136.0	136.0	104.0	190.0	77.0

**Rio Tinto plc - UK pence per share**
	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Interim	36.25	25.59	21.42	21.75	17.54
Final	46.29	43.13	32.63	23.35	23.94
Special	-	-	-	61.89	-
Total	82.54	68.72	54.05	106.99	41.48

**Rio Tinto Limited - Australian cents per share**
	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Interim	77.35	60.69	52.48	50.56	45.53
Final	101.48	93.02	82.84	54.86	58.29
Special	-	-	-	145.42	-
Total	178.83	153.71	135.32	250.84	103.82

**Rio Tinto plc - US cents per ADS**
	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Interim	272	208	160	154	128
Final	272	336	256	166	180
Special	-	-	-	440	-
Total	544	544	416	760	308

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.