Rio Tinto Limited : Transaction in Own Shares

120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T [phone]

F [phone]

Notice to ASX

Transaction in Own Shares 20 January 2012

Further to the announcements on 10 February 2011 and 4 August 2011 regarding the Rio Tinto Group's capital management programme, Rio Tinto Limited on 19 January 2012 acquired 500,000 ordinary shares in Rio Tinto plc at an average price of 3715.31 pence per share.
Rio Tinto plc subsequently purchased those shares from Rio Tinto Limited off-market as part of internal capital management for an aggregate consideration of £5, pursuant to the share purchase approval granted by Rio Tinto plc shareholders at the 2011 Rio Tinto plc Annual General Meeting. The shares purchased will be cancelled.
It is immaterial to the shareholders of either Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited if Rio Tinto Limited or any of its subsidiaries make a gain or a loss on such transactions as they have no effect on the Rio Tinto Group's overall resources. The underlying purpose of this
series of transactions is to facilitate the Rio Tinto Group's ongoing capital management programme and Rio Tinto considers that the transactions will not constrain its ability to maintain its progressive dividend policy and will not affect Rio Tinto Limited's capacity to fully frank its dividends.

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.

Cont…/

Registered in Australia Rio Tinto Limited 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia ABN 96 004 458 404

Continues Page 2 of 2

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, Australia / Asia

David Luff
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Karen Halbert
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Bruce Tobin
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations, Australia

Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Christopher Maitland
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas

Illtud Harri
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Tony Shaffer
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Christina Mills
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations, London

Mark Shannon
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
David Ovington
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Media Relations, Canada

Bryan Tucker
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations, North America

Jason Combes
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Website: www.riotinto.com
Email: [e-mail] [e-mail]
Twitter: Follow @riotinto on Twitter
High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media