Dividend history

Dividend	Date paid	Dividend amount		Imputation credit
		US cents per share	Australian cents per share	Australian cents per share
Final 2007	11 April 2008	84.0	93.02	39.866
Interim 2007	6 September 2007	52.0	60.69	26.01
Final 2006	13 April 2007	64.0	82.84	35.50
Interim 2006	7 September 2006	40.0	52.48	22.491
Special 2005	6 April 2006	110.0	145.42	62.323
Final 2005	6 April 2006	41.5	54.86	23.511
Interim 2005	8 September 2005	38.5	50.56	21.668
Final 2004	8 April 2005	45.0	58.29	24.98
Interim 2004	10 September 2004	32.0	45.53	19.513
Final 2003	6 April 2004	34.0	44.68	19.149
Interim 2003	12 September 2003	30.0	45.02	19.294
Final 2002	7 April 2003	30.5	51.87	22.230
Interim 2002	13 September 2002	29.5	54.06	23.169
Final 2001	8 April 2002	39.0	75.85	32.507
Interim 2001	14 September 2001	20.0	39.42	16.894
Final 2000	6 April 2001	38.5	69.76	35.937
Interim 2000	15 September 2000	19.0	32.68	16.835
Final 1999	7 April 2000	38.5	61.47	34.577
Interim 1999	31 August 1999	16.5	25.64	14.423
Final 1998	1 April 1999	35.5	55.56	31.253
Interim 1998	19 October 1998	16.5	27.96	15.728

Dividend policy

The aim of Rio Tinto's long standing progressive dividend policy is to increase the US dollar value of dividends over time, without reducing them in economic downturns. From 2002 the rate of the total annual dividend, in US dollars, is reviewed in the light of the results for the past year and the outlook for the current year. The interim dividend is set at one half of the total dividend for the previous year. Under the progressive dividend policy the final dividend for each year is expected to be at least equal to the previous interim dividend.

Dividend determination

As the majority of the Group's sales are transacted in US dollars it is the most reliable currency in which to measure the Group's financial performance and is its main reporting currency. The US dollar is therefore the natural currency for dividend determination. Dividends determined in US dollars are translated at exchange rates prevailing two days prior to announcement and are then declared payable in sterling by Rio Tinto plc and in Australian dollars by Rio Tinto Limited.

Australian shareholders of Rio Tinto plc can elect to receive dividends in Australian dollars and UK shareholders of Rio Tinto Limited can elect to receive dividends in sterling.

Dividend mandates

Directly registered Australian and UK shareholders may elect to have cash dividends paid directly into any bank, building society or credit union account in Australia.

Dividends and taxation - Dividend imputation system

The basis of the Australian dividend imputation system is that when Australian resident shareholders receive dividends from Rio Tinto Limited, they may be entitled to a credit for the tax paid by the Company in respect of that income, depending on the tax status of the shareholder. The application of the system results in the tax paid by the Company being allocated to shareholders by way of imputation credits attaching to the dividends they receive. Such dividends are known are franked dividends. A dividend may be partly or fully franked. Any imputation credits attached to the dividend are shown in the Dividend Statement provided to shareholders.

Fully franked dividends

Since 1988, all dividends have been fully franked. It is the Company's policy to pay fully franked dividends whenever possible.