Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited (Rio Tinto) has received 44,126,780 common shares of Minera IRL Limited (IRL), representing approximately 19.44% of the issued and outstanding common shares of IRL. The shares form part of the consideration agreed to in the 2006 option agreement on the Ollachea Gold Project between Rio Tinto and IRL.

The consideration for each Share was CDN$0.1790. The Shares were issued from IRL's treasury and were not purchased by Rio Tinto via a market transaction. Rio Tinto may increase or decrease the investment in Shares depending on its evaluation of the business, prospects and financial condition of IRL, the market for IRL's securities, general economic and tax conditions and other factors. Additionally, should Rio Tinto not sell any of the Shares for a period of one year, Rio Tinto shall be entitled to a cash incentive payment.

Rio Tinto understands that the Shares were issued in accordance with the accredited investor exemption contained in National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus and Registration Exemptions.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

For further information please refer to the Early Warning Report posted on SEDAR or contact:

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas
Illtud Harri
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1623
Mobile: +44 (0) 7787 597 493

Investor Relations, London
Mark Shannon
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1178
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576597

David Ovington
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

Grant Donald
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1262
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 587 805

Media Relations, Australia / Asia
David Luff
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205

Bruce Tobin
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454

Investor Relations, Australia / Asia
Christopher Maitland
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3063
Mobile: +61 (0) 459 800 131

Rachel Storrs
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Mobile: +61 (0) 417 401 018

Galina Rogova
Office: +852 2839 9208
Mobile: +852 6978 3011

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