Announces underlying earnings

RNS Number : 7260X
Rio Tinto PLC
20 August 2009
 



Rio Tinto announces underlying earnings of $2.6 billion


20 August 2009


  • Underlying EBITDA1 of $6.1 billion2, 47 per cent below first half 2008 

  • Underlying earnings1 of $2.6 billion2, 54 per cent below first half 2008

  • Net earnings1 of $2.5 billion, 65 per cent below first half 2008

  • Cash flow from operations down 38 per cent to $5.5 billion

  • Delivering on commitments made in December 2008: 

    • Net debt of $39.1 billion at 30 June 2009 was reduced by $14.8 billion following successful completion of the rights issues on 3 July 2009. All of Facilities A and B of the Alcan acquisition facility have now been repaid3 

    • Operating cost savings of $0.8 billion in first half of 2009. On target to achieve $2.5 billion in 2010

    • Achieved global headcount reduction of around 16,000 roles in the first half of 2009, ahead of target of 14,000

    • Net capital expenditure of $2.8 billion, 22 per cent lower than first half 2008. 2009 capital expenditure forecast to be approximately $5 billion 

    • $3.7 billion of divestments announced during 2009. In addition, binding offer of $2.025 billion for the majority of the Alcan Packaging businesses announced on 18 August

  • No interim dividend, as announced on 5 June 2009

  • On 5 June 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had entered a non-binding agreement with BHP Billiton to establish a production joint venture of both companies' Western Australian iron ore assets. 


Six months to 30 June

(All dollars are US$ millions unless otherwise stated)


2009


20084


Change

Underlying EBITDA1

6,089

11,457

-47%

Underlying earnings1

2,565

5,526

-54%

Net earnings1

2,451

6,951

-65%

Cash flow from operations 
   (incl. dividends from equity accounted units)

5,529

8,844

-38%

Underlying earnings per share - US cents5

163.3

352.0

-54%

Earnings per share from continuing operations - US cents5

189.3

442.8

-57%

Ordinary interim dividends per share - US cents5

-

55.6

n/a

1 Net earnings and underlying earnings relate to profit attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto. 
Underlying earnings is defined and reconciled to net earnings on page 33. EBITDA is defined on page 45. 
Underlying EBITDA excludes the same items that are excluded from underlying earnings.

2 Underlying EBITDA and underlying earnings include $816 million and $797 million, respectively, relating to profit on disposal of the undeveloped potash properties.

3 Facility B of the Alcan acquisition facility is a revolving credit facility with $2.4 billion available at the date of this release. Under the terms of the Alcan Acquisition Facility Agreement, 100 per cent of the rights issues proceeds were required to pay down Facility A followed by Facility B. The revolving credit commitment on Facility B was also required to be reduced by the amount repaid of this facility.

4 The 2008 comparatives have been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. 

5 2009 underlying earnings per share, earnings per share from continuing operations and ordinary interim dividends per share have been calculated using a number of shares which reflects the discounted price of the July rights issue ('the bonus factor'). 2008 comparatives have been restated accordingly.


Chairman's comments

Rio Tinto's chairman Jan du Plessis said: 'The Group has taken swift and decisive action in response to the global economic crisis and sharp falls in metals and minerals prices. As a result of our successful rights issues, we have reduced net debt by $14.8 billion. There is more work to do, but we are better positioned with renewed financial strength and a leaner cost base.


'We are currently working closely with BHP Billiton to conclude binding agreements for the iron ore production joint venture that will cover our operations in Western Australia and which we believe will deliver substantial synergies.


'On 5 June we announced the 2009 interim dividend would not be paid. We expect to make a 2009 final dividend payment subject to satisfactory trading results, progress on divestments and prevailing market conditions. We expect that the total cash dividend for the 2010 financial year will be at least equal to the total cash dividend payment for 2008 of $1.75 billion, albeit over an increased number of shares. From that point on, the Group is committed to the resumption of a progressive dividend policy over the longer term.'


'We remain cautious about the recent rally in prices. However, the expectation that development in emerging markets will generate underlying strength in metals and minerals demand over the long term remains broadly unchanged. Rio Tinto has a strong business with some of the best assets in the industry and we will continue to take the actions necessary to ensure we are well placed to deliver value for our shareholders whatever the timing of a recovery.'

Chief executive's comments

Tom Albanese, Rio Tinto's chief executive said, 'Despite difficult markets, our businesses are running smoothly. We are on track to meet the commitments we made in December last year to reduce operating expenditure and the capital expenditure estimate has been revised in line with market conditions.


'Our Pilbara iron ore operations set a new quarterly record in the second quarter of this year, consistently operating at a run rate exceeding 200 million tonnes per annum. Benchmark iron ore contracts for the year commencing 1 April 2009 have now been settled with Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese customers. Prices are below last year's record benchmark but are still the second highest ever achieved. Delivered spot prices strengthened during the first half reflecting tightening market conditions.

'The iron ore production joint venture with BHP Billiton will create an unrivalled iron ore operation with world class assets and infrastructure. It will be able to serve growing markets with unparalleled efficiency. We believe that our joint venture with BHP Billiton will deliver substantial value to shareholders as we seek out and deliver synergy benefits to the joint venture in excess of $10 billion in net present value.


'Rio Tinto Alcan was impacted by very tough trading conditions as a result of a dramatic decline in prices. We have acted aggressively to push costs down, including curtailing production at our higher cost operations. The benefits of these steps are starting to emerge but we expect the greatest effect to be felt in the second half of the year. High cost alumina has been curtailed and by the end of 2009 we expect approximately 12 per cent of smelting capacity will have been idled, divested or shut down, representing 42 per cent of our capacity in the top half of the cost curve. In addition, annual bauxite production at the Weipa mine has been cut by five million tonnes following a sharp fall in alumina and aluminium demand in recent months. 


'We have continued to make good progress on asset divestments with $3.7 billion announced to date this year. All of these divestments were at fair values, given current market conditions, which demonstrate the quality of Rio Tinto's assets.

'Rio Tinto is taking the right steps to emerge from this challenging period as a stronger, fitter business. We will continue to focus rigorously on operational excellence, delivering reliable supply to our customers and value to our shareholders, while preserving future growth options. We look to the future with confidence.'

Net earnings and underlying earnings

In order to provide additional insight into the performance of its business, Rio Tinto presents underlying earnings.  The differences between underlying earnings and net earnings are set out in the folloing table. 

 


 

Six months ended 30 June

 

2009

 

20081

 

 

 

 

US$m

 

US$m

 

 

Underlying earnings

 

2,565


5,526

 

 

 

 




 

 

Items excluded from underlying earnings

 




 


(Losses) / profits on disposal of interests in businesses


(12)


1,483


 

Net impairment charges

 

(534)


(3)

 


Exchange differences and derivatives


820


81



Chinalco break fee2


(182)


-



Restructuring/severance costs from global headcount reduction


(104)


-



Other, including divestment and takeover defence costs


(102)


(136)


 

 

 




 

 

Net earnings

 

2,451


6,951


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 The 2008 comparatives have been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. 

2 The Chinalco break fee was $195 million pre-tax. 

Commentary on the Group financial results

2009 first half underlying earnings of $2,565 million and 2009 first half net earnings of $2,451 million were $2,961 million and $4,500 million below the comparable measures for first half 2008. The principal factors explaining the movements are set out in the table below. 


 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

earnings

 

earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

US$m

 

US$m

 

 

2008 first half

 



5,526


6,951

 

 

Prices

 

(4,670)





 

 

Exchange rates

 

894





 


Volumes 

 

(294)






 

General inflation

 

(166)





 


Energy


187






 

Other cash costs 

 

252





 


Exploration and evaluation costs (including disposals of undeveloped properties)


1,046






 

Interest/tax/other

 

(210)





 

 

 

 



(2,961)


(2,961)

 


Profits on disposal of interests in businesses






(1,495)



Net impairment charges






(531)


 

Exchange differences and derivatives

 

 

 



739



Chinalco break fee




(182)



Restructuring/severance costs from global headcount reduction




(104)



Other, including divestment and takeover defence costs




34


 

2009 first half

 

 

 

2,565


2,451


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices

The effect of price movements on all major commodities in first half 2009 was to decrease earnings by $4,670 million compared with first half 2008. Prices declined for nearly all of Rio Tinto's major commodities; average copper and aluminium prices were 50 per cent lower while average molybdenum prices were 74 per cent lower than 2008 first half. Gold prices in 2009 first half were consistent with the same period of 2008. Diamond prices were severely impacted by the global economic downturn.


During the first half of 2009, Rio Tinto settled 2009 iron ore supply contracts with customers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, with prices for fines declining 33 per cent and prices for lump declining 44 per cent on the prior year. Deliveries continue to other customers on a provisional price or spot sales basis. Approximately half of the iron ore that Rio Tinto produced in the first six months of 2009 was sold on a spot market basis. The delivered iron ore spot price rose in line with rising freight rates, while on an FOB basis spot prices remained relatively flat during the first half of 2009 compared with the prior year.


Thermal coal contracts for the 2009 fiscal year (twelve months commencing 1 April 2009) were settled in the US$70-72 per tonne range, a decrease of approximately 44 per cent on the record levels of the previous year. Coking coal contracts for the 2009 fiscal year were settled in the US$115-130 per tonne range, a decline of approximately 60 per cent on the record levels of the 2008/09 fiscal year. 

Exchange rates

There was significant movement in the US dollar in the first six months of 2009 relative to the currencies in which Rio Tinto incurs the majority of its costs. Compared with the first half of 2008, on average, the US dollar strengthened by 23 per cent against the Australian dollar and by 16 per cent against the Canadian dollar. The effect of all currency movements was to increase underlying earnings relative to first half 2008 by $894 million.

Volumes

Higher sales volumes from the expansion of iron ore capacity in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and higher copper and gold grades at Kennecott Utah Copper and Grasberg were offset by production cutbacks at Rio Tinto Alcan, Alcan Engineered Products, Iron & Titanium and Minerals in response to the economic downturn. The overall impact of volume movements was a decrease in underlying earnings of $294 million relative to first half 2008.

Energy, other cash costs and exploration

Following the Group's commitment to reduce pre-tax controllable operating costs by $2.5 billion in 2010 and reduce headcount by 14,000 roles, a global cost cutting exercise has been carried out across all operations and functions. A reduction in cash costs during the first half of 2009 increased underlying earnings by $252 million compared with 2008 first half. Decreased costs at Rio Tinto Alcan, accounted for much of this variance with lower corporate costs driven by restructuring initiatives and reduced operating costs at the production sites, partly offset by higher costs for coke, pitch and caustic. Savings are expected to come through in the second half of the year from falling input prices. Lower energy costs across the Group boosted underlying earnings by a further $187 million. 


Evaluation work at many of the advanced projects was scaled back in the first half of 2009 and the central exploration budget was more than halved, which, together with the divestment of some smaller exploration properties, resulted in a favourable impact to underlying earnings of $249 million compared with 2008 first half. In line with Rio Tinto's exploration policy, the $797 million gain on disposal of the undeveloped potash properties in Argentina and Canada has been recognised within underlying earnings and is also reflected in the exploration variance in the table above.

Interest/tax/other

The effective tax rate on underlying earnings, excluding equity accounted units, was 23 per cent compared   with 31 per cent in first half 2008. The decrease largely related to the one-off non-taxable profit on disposal of the potash assets which was recognised in the first half of 2009. The group interest charge was $194 million lower than in first half 2008, mainly reflecting a decline in interest rates. 

Items excluded from underlying earnings

In the first half of 2009, the Group completed the divestment of its interest in the Ningxia aluminium smelter in China; this transaction has been excluded from underlying earnings. 


Other divestments announced in 2009, completion of which remain subject to regulatory approvals, include the Brazilian iron ore operations for $750 million, the Jacobs Ranch coal mine in the United States for $761 million and the Alcan Packaging Food Americas division for $1.2 billion. In addition, on 18 August, the Group announced that it had received a binding offer of $2.025 billion for the majority of the Alcan Packaging businesses. These divestments have not been reflected in the interim results. They will be reflected in the period in which the sales complete. 


Divestments in the first half of 2008 included the sale of the Cortez Gold mine (Rio Tinto share 40 per cent), the Greens Creek silver / zinc / lead mine (Rio Tinto share 70.3 per cent) and the Tarong Coal mine. The profits on disposal from these divestments were excluded from underlying earnings. 


The Alcan Packaging business has been valued based upon an assessment of its fair value less costs to sell, which is required because this business is presented as an Asset Held for Sale in the Group statement of financial position. In the first half of 2009, the Group recognised an impairment charge of $522 million with respect to Alcan Packaging. This impairment charge includes a $167 million tax charge relating to an increase in the Group's estimate of the tax to be paid on sale of the Alcan Packaging business and follows a detailed review of the changes to the proposed sale structure. 


The impairment charge does not impact the covenant under the Alcan acquisition facilities, which requires that the ratio of Group net debt to Group underlying EBITDA be no greater than 4.5 times. 

 

In June 2009, following changing circumstances and feedback from shareholders, the Rio Tinto Board changed its recommendation with respect to the Chinalco transaction. The pre-tax break fee of $195 million ($182 million post-tax) therefore became payable in the first half of 2009 and has been excluded from underlying earnings.


During the first half of 2009, the Group incurred restructuring and severance costs of $104 million associated with its global headcount reduction programme. This amount has been excluded from underlying earnings. 


Following its $15.2 billion rights issues, at 30 June 2009 Rio Tinto plc held the right to receive pounds sterling for the future issue of equity. Under current IFRS rules, this right meets the definition of a derivative because Rio Tinto plc's functional currency is the US dollar. The value of the derivative varies with the Rio Tinto plc share price and the US dollar/sterling exchange rate. At the date the rights started trading this derivative liability had a value of $6.8 billion, which was charged against equity. At 30 June the value had decreased to $6.0 billion, mainly because the Group's share price had decreased. A gain of $827 million has been taken through the income statement to reflect the movement in this liability. This has been excluded from underlying earnings and is reflected in the $820 million of Exchange differences and derivatives shown on the reconciliation of underlying earnings to net earnings. This accounting treatment was highlighted in the Rights Issue Prospectus. The derivative expired upon acceptance of the rights in July 2009 and the closing balance was credited to equity. There is therefore no overall impact on the Group's shareholders equity or distributable reserves. The Group also entered into forward derivative exchange contracts to minimise exposure to foreign exchange rates and to improve confidence in the absolute dollar proceeds from the rights issues. The mark to market movement on the Rio Tinto Limited contracts is included in the income statement but has been excluded from underlying earnings. The mark to market movement on the Rio Tinto plc contracts has been treated as a share issue cost and deducted from share premium. Further details on the rights issues are given on page 38.

Cash flow

Cash flow from operations, including dividends from equity accounted units, was $5,529 million, 38 per cent lower than 2008 first half. 


In line with its December 2008 commitment to reduce net debt by $10 billion by the end of 2009, Group capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets was $2,864 million in the first half of 2009, a decrease of $816 million over the same period of 2008. Capital expenditure in the period included the Brockman 4 and Mesa A iron ore mine developments in Western Australia, the expansion of the Yarwun alumina refinery, the construction of the Clermont thermal coal mine in Queensland, the slowed construction of the A418 dike at the Diavik diamond mine and the completion of the Madagascar ilmenite mine.


Capital expenditure for the full year 2009 is expected to be approximately $5 billion. Sustaining capital expenditure for 2010 is expected to be $2.5 billion. In light of the improving economic climate, the Group is reviewing its capital expenditure plans for 2010. 


Dividends paid in the first half of 2009 of $876 million were $207 million lower than dividends paid in 2008 first half.

Statement of financial position

Net debt increased by $385 million over the six month period to $39.1 billion as cash flow from operating activities was largely applied to fund capital expenditure. New debt raised of $4.6 billion was partly offset by debt repayments of $4.1 billion and exchange movements of $0.1 billion. Net debt to total capital was 67.3 per cent at 30 June 2009 and interest cover was seven times.


Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale at 30 June 2009 comprise the Corumbá iron ore operations in Brazil, the Jacobs Ranch coal mine (previously part of Rio Tinto Energy America) and Alcan Packaging. 


On 6 July 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached agreement to sell the Alcan Packaging Food Americas division for $1.2 billion to Bemis Company, Inc. Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to occur during the second half of 2009. 


On 18 August 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had received a binding offer from Amcor of $2.025 billion for the majority of the Alcan Packaging businesses. Completion of the potential transaction would be subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in Europe and in the United States.

Profit for the period

IFRS requires that the profit for the period reported in the income statement should also include earnings attributable to outside shareholders in subsidiaries.  For the first half of 2009, the profit for the period was $2,657 million (2008 first half $7,328 million) of which $206 million (2008 first half $377 million) was attributable to outside shareholders, leaving $2,451 million (2008 first half $6,951 million) of net earnings attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders.  Net earnings and underlying earnings, which are the focus of the commentary in this report, deal with amounts attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto. 

Dividends

On announcing the $15.2 billion rights issues on 5 June 2009, the Group stated that the interim dividend for 2009 would not be paid. The Group expects to make a 2009 final dividend payment subject to satisfactory trading results. The final dividend will reflect the 2009 full year results, progress on divestments and prevailing market conditions.


The Group expects that the total cash dividend for the 2010 financial year will be at least equal to the total cash dividend payment for 2008 of $1.75 billion, albeit over an increased number of shares. From that point on, the Group is committed to the resumption of a progressive dividend policy over the longer term.

Capital projects

Following the commitment to reduce 2009 capital expenditure, the Group's intention is to realign projects according to market demand while retaining growth options. After extensive stakeholder engagement, some projects have been slowed and others deferred until markets recover. The focus for 2009 will be on the following capital projects:


Capital project

Rio Tinto share 100% unless stated

US$ billion

Approved project funding 2008 to 2012 period (100%)

Estimated capital spend in 2009 (100%)

Status / milestones

Iron ore - expansion of Pilbara iron ore mines and infrastructure to 220mtpa and beyond

3.6*

1.1

Expansion of Hope Downs from 22mtpa to 30mtpa ($350 million on 100% basis - Rio Tinto share is 50%) was completed during the first half of 2009. Work will continue on Brockman 4 and Mesa A mine developments. 

Alumina - expansion of Yarwun alumina refinery from 1.4 to 3.4mtpa

1.8

0.6

The expansion of Yarwun is under review. Work has been slowed to reduce the rate of capital expenditure. The change to the construction schedule will result in a revised completion date in the second half of 2012.

Alumina - expansion of the Gove alumina refinery from 2.0 to 3.0mtpa

2.3

0.1

Gove is expected to reach a 3.0mtpa operating rate in 2009.

Diamonds - Argyle underground development and open pit cutback, extending life to 2018

1.5

0.1

In January 2009 Rio Tinto announced that the Argyle underground mining project will be slowed to critical development activities. 

Diamonds - Diavik (Rio Tinto 60%) underground development

0.8

0.1

The project has been slowed with first production expected at the end of 2009. 

Coking coal - Kestrel (Rio Tinto share 80%) extension and expansion 

1.0

0.1

The project has been slowed to critical development activities and continues to target scheduled production of coal in 2012. 

Thermal coal - Clermont (Rio Tinto 50.1%) replacement of Blair Athol

1.3

0.3

The project remains on track with first coal expected in the first quarter of 2010, ramping up to full capacity of 12.2mtpa by 2013.

Aluminium - modernisation of the Kitimat aluminium smelter in British Columbia, Canada

0.5

0.1

Further approval was given in October 2008 bringing the current project funding total to over $500 million. The project timing has been slowed. 

Aluminium - construction of a new 225MW turbine at the Shipshaw power station in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada

0.2

0.1

Approved in October 2008, the project remains on track and is expected to be completed in December 2012

Aluminium - AP50 project

0.4

0.1

The project has been slowed



* Iron ore approved capital expenditure relates to Mesa A development ($901 million), Brockman 4 development ($1.5 billion), infrastructure works ($667 million) and power generation ($503 million)


Sustaining capital expenditure in 2009 for the Group is estimated to be approximately $2 billion. 

Capital expenditure plans for 2010 will be reviewed throughout the year, assessing current and future market conditions. 

The 2009 central budget for greenfield exploration has been cut by approximately 60 per cent to $100 million (before tax and divestments). 

  Rio Tinto financial information by business unit

Rio Tinto

Gross sales revenue (a)

EBITDA (b),(o)


Net earnings (c),(o)

US$ millions

interest

Six months to

30 June


Six months to

30 June


Six months to

30 June


%


2009

2008


2009

2008


2009

2008

Iron Ore 











Hamersley (inc. HIsmelt) (d)

100.0


4,080

5,595


2,423

3,381


1,561

2,239

Robe River (e)

53.0


961

1,330


651

922


330

488

Iron Ore Company of Canada

58.7


425

1,048


147

588


47

205

Rio Tinto Brasil

100.0


18

69


(13)

17


(16)

6

Dampier Salt

68.4


192

168


93

25


38

7

Product group operations



5,676

8,210


3,301

4,933


1,960

2,945

Evaluation projects/other



18

44


(20)

(48)


(28)

(61)




5,694

8,254


3,281

4,885


1,932

2,884

Aluminium

(f)










Product group operations (excludes Alcan Engineered Products)



5,222

9,528


(216)

2,431


(704)

1,083

Evaluation projects/other



10

18


10

(45)


15

(41)




5,232

9,546


(206)

2,386


(689)

1,042

Copper & Diamonds











Kennecott Utah Copper

100.0


875

1,606


456

1,083


226

673

Escondida

30.0


769

1,946


454

1,525


245

912

Grasberg joint venture

(g)


320

120


222

64


118

30

Palabora

57.7


256

310


53

116


7

34

Kennecott Minerals

100.0


6

76


2

46


1

25

Northparkes

80.0


55

76


27

35


14

20

Diamonds

(h)


184

571


(6)

239


(56)

108

Product group operations



2,465

4,705


1,208

3,108


555

1,802

Evaluation projects/other



-

-


(119)

(157)


(83)

(109)




2,465

4,705


1,089

2,951


472

1,693

Energy & Minerals











Rio Tinto Energy America

100.0


995

852


282

172


149

65

Rio Tinto Coal Australia

(i)


1,875

1,775


942

731


543

401

Rössing

68.6


164

198


16

131


2

51

Energy Resources of Australia

68.4


245

149


149

73


56

22

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

(j)


536

889


129

310


28

112

Rio Tinto Minerals

(k)


379

568


70

99


13

50

Product group operations



4,194

4,431


1,588

1,516


791

701

Evaluation projects/other



7

50


816

(31)


792

(29)




4,201

4,481


2,404

1,485


1,583

672












Other Operations (includes Alcan Engineered Products)



2,321

3,966


(65)

131


(121)

8

Inter-segment transactions



(390)

(947)


(4)

(22)


(12)

(29)

Other items






(439)

(292)


(322)

(170)

Central exploration and evaluation






29

(67)


40

(62)

Net interest









(318)

(512)

Underlying earnings






6,089

11,457


2,565

5,526

Items excluded from underlying earnings



(464)

2,058


(114)

1,425

Total

19,523

30,005


5,625

13,515


2,451

6,951











Depreciation and amortisation in subsidiaries



(1,559)

(1,646)




Impairment charges






(16)

(6)




Depreciation and amortisation in equity accounted units

(198)

(200)




Taxation and finance items in equity accounted units

(178)

(739)




Profit before finance items and taxation

3,674

10,924




References above are to notes on page 45









  Rio Tinto financial information by business unit (continued)

US$ millions

Rio 

Capital


Depreciation &


Operating


Tinto

Expenditure (l)


Amortisation (o)


Assets (m),(o)


interest

Six months to

30 June


Six months to

30 June


At 30 June

At 31 December


%


2009

2008


2009

2008


2009

2008












Iron Ore 











Hamersley (inc. HIsmelt) (d)

100.0


731

788


189

230


6,837

5,170

Robe River (e)

53.0


305

290


54

61


2,418

1,622

Iron Ore Company of Canada

58.7


98

80


38

42


620

482

Rio Tinto Brasil

100.0


9

64


3

6


-

207

Dampier Salt

68.4


4

6


9

11


171

154

Other



-

28


6

3


9

(3)




1,147

1,256


299

353


10,055

7,632












Aluminium (excludes Alcan Engineered Products)

(f)


887

967


748

744


34,277

33,411












Copper & Diamonds











Kennecott Utah Copper

100.0


81

162


143

121


1,711

1,750

Escondida

30.0


129

63


46

48


1,163

849

Grasberg joint venture

(g)


32

29


21

12


441

426

Palabora

57.7


7

17


31

30


98

123

Kennecott Minerals

100.0


3

33


-

4


42

30

Northparkes

80.0


15

41


10

7


264

187

Diamonds

(h)


157

362


65

72


1,546

1,340

Other



15

1


1

-


829

831




439

708


317

294


6,094

5,536












Energy & Minerals











Rio Tinto Energy America

100.0


75

83


55

64


603

1,090

Rio Tinto Coal Australia

(i)


186

197


80

83


1,688

1,134

Rössing

68.6


12

26


12

9


234

229

Energy Resources of Australia

68.4


13

87


26

23


292

212

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

(j)


200

241


47

61


2,458

2,122

Rio Tinto Minerals

(k)


8

23


29

26


781

792

Other



-

1


4

(3)


32

60




494

658


253

263


6,088

5,639












Other Operations (includes Alcan Engineered Products)



114

236


101

161


2,554

2,879

Net assets held for sale

(n)








3,535

3,204

Other items



30

45


39

31


(520)

1,009

Less: equity accounted units

(263)

(218)


(198)

(200)


-

-

Total



2,848

3,652


1,559

1,646


62,083

59,310

Less: Notional derivative liability related to rights issue







(5,981)

-

Less: Net debt









(39,057)

(38,672)

Total Rio Tinto shareholders' equity








17,045

20,638


References above are to notes on page 45


Cont…/


  Review of operations

Comparison of underlying earnings

First half 2009 underlying earnings of $2,565 million were $2,961 million below first half 2008 underlying earnings. The table below shows the difference by product group. All financial amounts in the tables below are US$ millions unless indicated otherwise.


 

 

 


US$m

 

First half 2008 underlying earnings1

5,526

 



 

Iron ore

(985)


Aluminium (excludes Alcan Engineered Products)

(1,787)


Copper & Diamonds

(1,247)


Energy & Minerals

90


Product group evaluation projects/other (including $797 million gain on disposal of undeveloped potash properties)

936


Other operations (includes Alcan Engineered Products)

(129)


Central exploration and evaluation

102


Interest

194


Other

(135)





First half 2009 underlying earnings

2,565


 

 

 

1 The 2008 comparatives have been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. 


All subsequent references to earnings within the business unit section refer to underlying earnings. Production numbers represent the Rio Tinto share.

Iron ore


 

First half

First half

 


Full year


2009

2008

Change


2008

Production (million tonnes - Rio Tinto share)

76.8

79.2

-3%


153.4

Gross sales revenue ($ millions)

5,694

8,254

-31%


16,527

EBITDA ($ millions) 

3,281

4,885

-33%


10,212

Underlying earnings ($ millions)

1,932

2,884

-33%


6,017

Capital expenditure ($ millions)

1,147

1,256

-9%


2,996






 


During the first half of 2009, Rio Tinto settled 2009 iron ore supply contracts with customers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Deliveries continue to other customers on a provisional price or spot sales basis. Approximately half of the iron ore that Rio Tinto has produced in the first half of 2009 has been sold on a spot market basis. 

Operations

2009 first half attributable production of 77 million tonnes was three per cent lower than 2008 first half following intense cyclonic activity in the Pilbara at the start of 2009. The Pilbara mines and infrastructure operated consistently at a run rate in excess of 200 million tonnes per annum in the second quarter as the most recent expansions were bedded down. They fully recovered from the prolonged heavy rain and flooding experienced in the first quarter of the year, when the Robe Valley railway line was blocked for six weeks.


Some major milestones were reached during the first half of 2009, including four ships berthed simultaneously at the Cape Lambert port for the first time and, as part of the autonomous haulage system trial, the five millionth tonne of material was moved by driverless truck. 

Hamersley

Earnings of $1,561 million were $678 million below 2008 first half, due to lower spot prices and a higher proportion of spot sales, partly offset by a weaker Australian dollar and higher volumes from the recently completed expansions. Hamersley's 2009 first half earnings include a net loss of $10 million at HIsmelt (2008 first half: $31 million net loss). The HIsmelt pig iron plant in Western Australia has been placed on a care and maintenance programme to April 2010, due to depressed global pig iron prices and poor market outlook.


Robe River

Earnings of $330 million were $158 million below 2008 first half, attributable to lower benchmark and spot prices, lower volumes in line with weaker demand from Japan and higher maintenance costs associated with the blockage of the railway line following heavy rains.

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

Earnings of $47 million were $158 million below 2008 first half, in line with lower prices and reduced volumes to European and North American customers. Production has been suspended from three pellet lines, as demand slumped in the wake of the global financial crisis. A five-week summer shutdown commenced on 7 July. 


Rio Tinto Brasil

At Corumbá, lower volumes from reduced customer demand and lower water levels on the river Paraguay coupled with lower prices turned earnings of $6 million in 2008 first half into a loss of $16 million in 2009 first half.


In January 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached agreement to sell the Corumbá iron ore mine in Brazil and the associated river logistics operations in Paraguay for $750 million subject to receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals. Completion is expected in the second half of 2009.


Rio Tinto Brasil's assets and liabilities have been reclassified to Assets of disposal groups held for sale and Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale. Its results will continue to be consolidated until completion of the sale. 

Dampier Salt

Dampier Salt benefited from higher prices and the weaker Australian dollar which translated into earnings of $38 million, $31 million above 2008 first half.

Iron ore projects

Evaluation work at the Simandou project in Guinea continues on a scaled back basis, as the project strategy and development timeline is evaluated in light of the improved market outlook and the ongoing need for clarity of tenure over the mining concession. 

Aluminium

First half

First half

 


Full year


2009

2008

Change


2008

Production (Rio Tinto share)






Bauxite (000 tonnes)

14,182

17,002

-17%


34,987

Alumina (000 tonnes)

4,325

4,485

-4%


9,009

Aluminium (000 tonnes)1

1,889

1,999

-5%


3,981

Capital expenditure ($ millions)2

887

967

-8%


2,417






 

1Aluminium for all periods presented excludes production from the Ningxia smelter which was divested in January 2009. 

2 The 2008 capital expenditure figure has been restated to reflect the reclassification of Alcan Engineered Products to Other Operations.


US$ millions

Gross sales revenue

EBITDA


Underlying earnings


First half


First half


First half


2009

20081


2009

20081


2009

20081










Bauxite & Alumina

1,924

3,184


(145)

415


(252)

133

Primary Metal

3,809

7,274


(158)

1,910


(490)

895

Other product group items

306

174


78

118


32

62

Upstream inter-segment 

(817)

(1,104)


9

(12)


6

(7)

Product group operations

5,222

9,528


(216)

2,431


(704)

1,083

Evaluation projects / other

10

18


10

(45)


15

(41)

Total

5,232

9,546


(206)

2,386


(689)

1,042

1 The 2008 comparatives have been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. In addition, 2008 revenues have been restated to reflect intersegment sales. These have been eliminated at the Aluminium level. 

Alcan Engineered Products has been reclassified to Other Operations

Operations

In the light of very difficult trading conditions, management has implemented a widespread programme of closures and curtailments to reduce the cost of production. Annual bauxite production has been reduced by 5 million tonnes and high cost alumina refining capacity has been cut. A total of approximately 450 thousand tonnes or 12 per cent of smelting capacity is expected to have been divested, idled or shut down by the end of 2009, including the anticipated cessation of primary smelting operations at Anglesey, the Beauharnois closure and production curtailments at higher cost smelters in Europe and Canada.


Over 80 per cent of Rio Tinto Alcan's smelting capacity is positioned in the lower half of the industry cost curve. With these actions, 42 per cent of Rio Tinto Alcan's smelting capacity in the upper half of the cost curve will have been either sold or curtailed by the end of 2009. 

Underlying earnings

In the first half of 2009, Rio Tinto Alcan generated a loss of $689 million which was $1,731 million lower than 2008 first half earnings of $1,042 million. This was principally as a result of lower prices which reduced earnings by $2,100 million compared with 2008 first half. Lower volumes following production cutbacks also had an impact on 2009 first half earnings. 


Weaker local currencies relative to the US dollar and a general reduction in cash costs increased earnings by $342 million and $150 million, respectively, compared with the first half of 2008. Corporate restructuring initiatives, lower freight and alloy costs and a reduction in site production costs more than offset higher costs for caustic, pitch and coke. Additional benefits from lower input costs and other cost reduction initiatives are expected to flow through in the second half of 2009. 

Price

The 2009 first half spot aluminium price averaged $1,422 per tonne, a decline of 50 per cent on 2008 first half. The total impact of LME price changes on Rio Tinto Alcan during the first half of 2009 was to decrease underlying earnings by $2,056 million compared with the first half of 2008.

Bauxite

2009 first half bauxite production was 17 per cent lower than the same period of 2008 with production at Weipa down 26 per cent. In April 2009, Rio Tinto Alcan announced the curtailment of annual production of bauxite at Weipa to 15 million tonnes (from 20 million tonnes in 2008) due to the sharp fall in alumina and aluminium demand and prices in recent months. Rio Tinto Alcan's share of global bauxite production in 2009 is expected to be approximately 31 million tonnes, a decline of 11 per cent on 2008. 

Alumina

2009 first half alumina production was four per cent lower than the same period of 2008. Following production cuts at the Vaudreuil and Gardanne alumina refineries announced in January 2009, the annual alumina production rate has been reduced by six per cent in 2009 compared with 2008. 

Aluminium

2009 first half aluminium production was five per cent lower than the same period of 2008. A steady performance at the low cost Canadian smelters was offset by production cutbacks in Canada and Europe and a transformer failure in New Zealand. The ramp-up of the Sohar smelter in Oman continued on schedule with 169,000 tonnes (100 per cent basis) of metal produced in the period. 


Following the sale of the Ningxia smelter in China in January 2009, the closure of the Beauharnois smelter in Quebec at the end of April 2009, the anticipated cessation of primary smelting operations at the Anglesey smelter in Wales at the end of September 2009, and various other curtailments, Rio Tinto Alcan's aluminium production capacity is expected to be operating at a 12 per cent lower annual run rate by the end of 2009. Production in 2009 is expected to be 3.8 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share), a decline of six per cent compared with 2008. 


Copper & Diamonds


 

First half

First half



Full year


2009

2008

Change


2008

Production (Rio Tinto share)






Mined copper (000 tonnes)

404.2

390.0

+4%


698.5

Refined copper (000 tonnes)

206.3

161.1

+28%


321.6

Mined molybdenum (000 tonnes)

4.5

5.7

-21%


10.6

Mined gold (000 oz)1

459

207

+122%


460

Diamonds (000 carats)

6,787

7,853

-14%


20,816

Gross sales revenue ($ millions)

2,465

4,705

-48%


6,669

EBITDA ($ millions) 

1,089

2,951

-63%


3,294

Underlying earnings ($ millions)

472

1,693

-72%


1,758

Capital expenditure ($ millions)

439

708

-38%


1,468






 

1 Mined gold for all periods presented excludes production from Greens Creek and Cortez, which were divested in the first half of 2008.

Prices

The average copper price of 182 cents per pound was 50 per cent below 2008 first half. The gold price averaged $913 per ounce, consistent with the prior year, whilst the average molybdenum price was $9 per pound, a decrease of 74 per cent compared with 2008. The total impact of price changes on the Copper & Diamonds product group during 2009 first half, including the effects of provisional pricing movements, was to decrease underlying earnings by $1,438 million compared with 2008 first half.

Kennecott Utah Copper

Earnings of $226 million were $447 million lower than 2008 first half. Higher volumes of refined copper and gold, lower unit cash costs and lower energy costs were unable to compensate for the impact of lower prices. Consistent smelter performance has led to higher anode production and resulted in higher cathode and precious metals production at the refinery compared with 2008 first half. Following a decline in the molybdenum market, the mining sequence was refocused with a bias for the delivery of copper and gold, resulting in higher mined volumes from higher grades.

Escondida

Earnings of $245 million were $667 million below 2008 first half, principally attributable to the decline in the copper price. Provisional pricing adjustments, although positive in the period, were lower than the provisional pricing impact in the first half of 2008.Lower copper grades in the first half of 2009 and lower mill throughput, following a failure at the Laguna Seca mill in the second half of 2008, resulted in lower sales volumes and higher unit cash costs. The repair of the concentrator at Laguna Seca commenced in July to remedy the SAG mill electrical motor failure and was successfully completed in the first half of August. 

Grasberg joint venture

Earnings of $118 million were $88 million above 2008 first half. Rio Tinto's share of joint venture copper and gold production was significantly higher than 2008 first half, attributable to improved ore grades. There was no gold share allocated to Rio Tinto under the joint venture metal strip share in 2008. In line with the joint venture agreement with Freeport, the metal strip for calculating Rio Tinto's share of gold production in 2009 has been revised to reflect the carry forward of the 2008 gold deficit due to low grades. The revision to the metal strip for 2009 reduces the gold attributed to the expansion of the Grasberg mine in 2009 by 415,000 ounces. The metal strip for copper and silver is unchanged. Rio Tinto participates in 40 per cent of the production from Grasberg in excess of the metal strip.


Revised Grasberg metal strip

Copper (m lbs)

Gold (m oz)

Silver (m oz)

2008

1,110

1,199

4,158

2009

1,107

2,004

4,203

2010

1,099

1,567

4,296

Palabora

Earnings of $7 million, which were $27 million below 2008 first half, benefited from the weaker South African rand but this was outweighed by lower copper prices.

Kennecott Minerals

Earnings of $1 million were $24 million below 2008 first half following the disposal of Rio Tinto's interests in Cortez and Greens Creek earlier in the year. 

Northparkes

Earnings of $14 million were $6 million below 2008 first half in line with lower prices, partly offset by a reduction in unit cash costs as grades and production recovered from the prior year. 

Diamond markets 

Both prices and sales volumes for diamonds have been severely impacted by the economic downturn. The effect on the rough diamonds market has been exacerbated by the lowering of inventory levels in the diamond pipeline, resulting from reduced global liquidity. 

Diamonds

The diamonds operations incurred a loss of $56 million in 2009 first half, compared with earnings of $108 million in the same period of 2008. Lower prices as a result of the global slowdown were the main cause. Measures have been taken to redress this performance including a maintenance shutdown at the Argyle processing facilities from March to May 2009 with processing recommencing in June. At Diavik, the first of two six week shutdowns commenced on 14 July and diamond production ceased temporarily with the mine placed on a care and maintenance schedule. 

Copper & Diamonds projects

Evaluation work at many of the projects, notably La Granja and Keystone (Kennecott Utah Copper options), has been considerably scaled back in light of current economic conditions. 

Provisional pricing

The effect of provisional pricing of copper sales resulted in a credit to underlying earnings of $94 million in 2009 first half, compared to a credit of $150 million in 2008 first half. At 30 June 2009 the Group had 239 million pounds of copper sales that were provisionally priced at US 231 cents per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined during the second half of 2009. This compared with 183 million pounds of open shipments at 31 December 2008 provisionally priced at US 133 cents per pound.


  Energy & Minerals


 

First half

First half



Full year


2009

2008

Change


2008 

Production (Rio Tinto share)






Coal (million tonnes)






US

60.0

61.6

-3%


130.8

Hard coking coal

3.3

3.1

+6%


7.4

Other Australian1

11.1

11.0

+1%


22.1

Uranium (000's pounds)

7,002

6,495

+8%


14,200

Titanium dioxide (000 tonnes)

656

761

-14%


1,524

Borates (000 tonnes)

190

324

-41%


610

Gross sales revenue ($ millions)2

4,194

4,431

-5%


10,957

EBITDA ($ millions)2

1,588

1,516

+5%


4,847

Product group operations earnings 

($ millions net of tax)2


791


701


+13%


2,491

Evaluation projects/other ($ millions net of tax)

792

(29)

n/a


396

Capital expenditure ($ millions)

494

658

-25%


1,501






 

1 Other Australian coal for all periods presented excludes production from the Tarong Coal mine, which was divested in the first half of 2008.

2 Revenues, EBITDA and earnings relate to product group operations and exclude evaluation projects/other. 

US Coal - Rio Tinto Energy America

Earnings of $149 million were $84 million above 2008 first half, with improved prices and volumes and lower energy costs partly offset by higher unit cash costs. 


Following the announcement on 9 March 2009 that the Group has reached agreement to sell the Jacobs Ranch coal mine, the assets and liabilities associated with the mine have been reclassified to Assets of disposal groups held for sale and Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale. Its earnings will continue to be consolidated until completion which is expected in the second half of 2009. 

Rio Tinto Coal Australia 

Earnings of $543 million were $142 million above 2008 first half, with higher prices and a weaker Australian dollar compensating for an unfavourable sales mix and higher royalties and freight costs.


Higher production of hard coking and thermal coal compared with the first half of 2008 was attributable to improved mining conditions and improved demand for coking coal.

Uranium markets 

Abundant spot supply, discretionary demand and mixed market sentiment have increased the unpredictability of the uranium spot price this year, which has fluctuated between a highpoint of $55 per pound of uranium oxide in June and a low of $40 per pound in April. Despite this price volatility contract volumes remain high and 2009 is expected to be another strong year for spot contracting. The long-term market has been much less volatile and prices have remained fairly static through 2009 falling just $5 per pound since the beginning of the year. 

Rössing 

Earnings of $2 million were $49 million below 2008 first half attributable to lower realised prices, due to a decline in the uranium price, and an increase in unit cash costs following the introduction of a six per cent royalty on turnover and higher input costs for sulphuric acid and manganese. In addition, some sales volumes were deferred from the first half to the second half of the year. 

Energy Resources of Australia

Earnings of $56 million were $34 million above 2008 first half. Prices continued to benefit from the gradual replacement of legacy contracts with newer contracts written in an environment of higher prices. Production for the period increased by 11 per cent compared with 2008 first half due to an improvement in ore grade and plant utilisation, as well as commencement of operation of the laterite processing plant.

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

Earnings of $28 million were $84 million below 2008 first half. Lower prices reflected weaker demand across most products which translated into lower volumes as customers deferred shipments in order to minimise inventory. Planned maintenance and extended shutdowns were brought forward to mitigate some of the impact of reduced demand. 


The first shipment of ilmenite ore from QMM (Madagascar) to Canada and the first shipment of finished product to a customer were made during the first half of 2009. 

Rio Tinto Minerals

Earnings of $13 million were $37 million below 2008 first half. Minerals production continued to be affected by lower demand in line with reduced economic activity across all major regions.

Energy & Minerals projects

The sale of the potash projects in Argentina and Canada in January 2009 generated a post tax gain of $797 million. This has been recognised in Energy & Minerals earnings, in line with the Rio Tinto policy of including gains or losses on disposal of undeveloped properties within underlying earnings.


Other Operations

Alcan Engineered Products has been reassigned from Rio Tinto Alcan to Other Operations to reflect management reporting lines. Trading conditions in the Alcan Engineered Products businesses remained difficult during the first half of 2009. The economic downturn resulted in a significant decrease in sales volumes in all sectors leading to higher unit production costs. The Group continues to explore all options for the divestment of Alcan Engineered Products.


Central Exploration and Evaluation


 

First half

First half



Full year


2009

2008

Change


2008







Post-tax credit / (charge) ($ millions)

40

(62)

+165%


(124)






 


The post-tax centrally reported exploration charge is presented net of the gain on disposal of exploration properties. 


Central exploration expenditure in the first half of 2009 (post disposals and post tax) resulted in a credit to underlying earnings of $40 million compared with a charge of $62 million in same period of 2008. During the first half of 2009 the Group realised $71 million (post tax) from the divestment of exploration properties.


Exploration and evaluation expenditure across the Group has been scaled back in 2009, in line with the announcements on the Group's commitment to reduce controllable operating costs by at least $2.5 billion per annum in 2010. The 2009 central budget for greenfield exploration has been cut by approximately 60 per cent to $100 million (before tax and divestment proceeds). 


In Chile, the Rio Tinto Exploration alliance with Codelco was expanded with the addition of the Pasacas prospect located north of Collahuasi. 


The Jadar lithium borates discovery in Serbia is being prepared for transfer from Rio Tinto Exploration to Rio Tinto Minerals for commencement of a pre-feasibility evaluation programme.


Ground evaluation of aeromagnetic anomalies commenced on the Orientale iron ore project in north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.


Price & exchange rate sensitivities

The following sensitivities give the estimated effect on underlying earnings assuming that each individual price, exchange rate or interest rate moved in isolation. The relationship between currencies and commodity prices is a complex one and movements in exchange rates can cause movements in commodity prices and vice versa. The exchange rate sensitivities quoted below include the effect on operating costs of movements in exchange rates but exclude the effect of the revaluation of foreign currency working capital. They should therefore be used with care. 

Average price/exchange rate for 2009 

first half

10% change

Effect on full year underlying earnings 

US$m

Copper

182c/lb

+/- 18c/lb

221

Aluminium

$1,422/t

+/-$142/t

399

Gold

$913/oz

+/- $91/oz

35

Molybdenum

$9/lb

+/- $0.9/lb

18





Australian dollar

71USc

+/-7.1USc

360

Canadian dollar

83USc

+/-8.3USc

146

South African rand

11USc

+/-1.1USc

34







  DIRECTORS' REPORT for the half year ended 30 June 2009


Review of operations

A detailed review of the Group's operations, the results of those operations during the half year ended 30 June 2009 and likely future developments are given on pages 1 to 18.


Directors

The Directors serving on the boards of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited during and since the end of the half year are:

Notes

Date of appointment

Chairman



Jan du Plessis 

(c)  

1 September 2008




Executive directors



Tom Albanese, Chief executive 


7 March 2006

Guy Elliott, Finance director 


1 January 2002

Sam Walsh, Chief executive, Rio Tinto Iron Ore 


4 June 2009




Non executive directors



Andrew Gould (Senior independent director)

(b and c) 

4 December 2002

Sir David Clementi 

(a and b) 

28 January 2003

Vivienne Cox 

(a) 

1 February 2005

Sir Rod Eddington

(c and d) 

1 September 2005

Michael Fitzpatrick 

(a and b) 

6 June 2006

Yves Fortier 

(c and d)

25 October 2007

Richard Goodmanson 

(b and d)

1 December 2004

Lord Kerr 

(a and d) 

14 October 2003

David Mayhew 

(c)

22 February 2000

Paul Tellier 

(a and b)

25 October 2007




Paul Skinner retired with effect from 20 April 2009 after serving as a director since 1 December 2001 and as Chairman from November 2003. Upon Mr Skinner's retirement, Jan du Plessis assumed the position of Chairman. Dick Evans retired with effect from 20 April 2009 after serving as a director since 25 October 2007. Jim Leng was appointed as a director and Chairman designate on 14 January 2009 and resigned on 9 February 2009.  


No directors were appointed between 30 June 2009 and the date of this report.  


Notes

(a) Audit committee

(b) Remuneration committee

(c) Nominations committee 

(d) Committee on social and environmental accountability 


Dividend

On announcing the $15.2 billion rights issues on 5 June 2009, the Group stated that the interim dividend for 2009 would not be paid. The Group expects to make a 2009 final dividend payment subject to satisfactory trading results, progress on divestments and prevailing market conditions.


Principal risks and uncertainties

The following describes some of the risks that could affect Rio Tinto. As a result of the events that have occurred since the Group set out its risk factors on pages 24 to 28 of its 2008 Annual report, the Group has modified its view of some its principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year as set out below. Where the Group's view of risk has remained unchanged, only the headline summaries from the 2008 Annual report have been reproduced below. 

There may be additional risks unknown to Rio Tinto and other risks, currently believed to be immaterial, which could turn out to be material. These risks, whether they materialise individually or simultaneously, could significantly affect the Group's business and financial results. 

Failure to complete the announced divestment transactions may adversely affect results of operations and financial position. 

The Group has so far in 2009 announced $3.7 billion of divestments and an additional binding offer for the majority of the Alcan Packaging business. The timing and proceeds of the divestments and the binding offer are subject to uncertainty including, but not limited to, customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals in several jurisdictions. In addition, several transactions are subject to certain adjustments, including adjustments based on the financial performance of the businesses to be divested and, in some cases, the value at closing of certain transferred liabilities.  

The Group cannot accurately anticipate when it will receive the proceeds from its divestment programme or the binding offer or the amount of such proceeds.  Changes in the amount or delays in the receipt of proceeds could have a material adverse effect on the Group's earnings and financial position.

The Group's financing costs are subject to changes in benchmark interest rates.

Increases in benchmark interest rates will increase the costs of the Group's variable interest rate debt which could adversely affect its earnings and financial position.

The proposed joint venture with BHP Billiton is the subject of negotiation and conditions and, if these are not satisfied, the proposed joint venture may not proceed in whole or in part.

Rio Tinto has entered into a framework agreement with BHP Billiton which requires the parties to negotiate in good faith legally binding agreements necessary or desirable to establish the joint venture and regulate its ongoing operation based on the non-legally binding principles set out in the term sheet appended to the framework agreement. There can be no guarantee that Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton will reach agreement on terms satisfactory to Rio Tinto or at all or will be able to execute legally binding transaction documentation. Completion of the joint venture with BHP Billiton is subject to certain conditions including approvals by Rio Tinto shareholders; BHP Billiton shareholders and regulatory authorities. As such, completion of the joint venture and the timing of any such completion, are also subject to uncertainty.

In addition, if either party does not fulfil certain commitments to complete the legal agreements, announces that it does not intend to proceed with the transaction, after entry into binding agreements and satisfaction of key regulatory approvals fails to recommend the transaction to its shareholders or fails to take the steps necessary to obtain the approval of its shareholders, or breaches the agreed exclusivity provisions, then it will become liable to pay a break fee to the other party of US$275.5 million.

Political, legal and commercial instability, political or legal pressure, or community disputes in the countries and territories in which the Group operates could affect the viability of its operations.

The Group has operations in jurisdictions with varying degrees of political, legal and commercial stability. Administrative change, policy reform, changes in law or governmental regulations can result in civil unrest, expropriation, or nationalisation. Renegotiation or nullification of existing agreements, leases and permits, changes in fiscal policies (including increased tax or royalty rates) or currency restrictions are all possible consequences. Commercial instability caused by bribery and corruption in their various guises can lead to similar consequences. The consequences of such instability or changes could have a material adverse effect on the profitability, the ability to finance or, in extreme cases, the viability of an operation.

Where pressure is exerted on staff or operations, the Group may be unable to operate to the best commercial advantage, or may lose control of its confidential data or intellectual property. Such incidences would impact the Group's local operations and may also have a wider material adverse impact on the Group's results of operations.

Movement in commodity prices and global demand for the Group's products could have, a material impact on the Group's business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Group's net earnings are sensitive to the assumptions used for valuing defined benefit pension plans and post retirement healthcare plans.

China is an important source of demand for the Group's products and a reduction in the imports of the Group's products by Chinese customers may have a material adverse effect on the Group's results of operations.

Adverse economic and credit market conditions may materially adversely affect, the Group's ability to raise additional debt or equity.

Failure of the Group to make successful acquisitions and to effectively integrate its acquisitions could have a material adverse impact on the Group's business and results of operations.

The Group's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the impairment of assets and goodwill.

Rio Tinto is exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates that could have a material adverse impact on the results of its operations.

If the Group does not significantly reduce its business and operating costs, its business and results of operations may suffer materially.

The Group's business and growth prospects may be negatively impacted by reductions in its capital expenditure programme.

The Group's exploration and development of new projects might be unsuccessful, expenditures may not be fully recovered and depleted ore reserves may not be replaced.

The Group's land and resource tenure could be disputed resulting in disruption and/or impediment in the operation or development of a resource.

The Group's operations are resource intensive and changes in the cost and/or interruptions in the supply of energy, water, fuel or other key inputs could adversely affect their economic viability.

Increased regulation of greenhouse gas emissions could adversely impact the Group's cost of operations.

Estimates of ore reserves are based on certain assumptions and so changes in such assumptions could lead to reported ore reserves being restated.

Labour disputes could lead to lost production and/or increased costs.

The Group is dependent on the continued services of key personnel.

Some of the Group's technologies are unproven and failures could adversely impact costs and/or productivity.

The Group's mining operations are vulnerable to natural disasters, operating difficulties and infrastructure constraints that could have a material impact on its productivity and not all of which are covered by insurance.

The Group's costs of close down and restoration, and for environmental clean up, could be higher than expected due to unforeseen changes in legislation, standards and techniques. Underestimated or unidentified costs could have a material adverse impact on the Group's reputation and results of operations.

Joint ventures and other strategic partnerships may not be successful and non-managed projects and operations may not comply with the Group's standards and as a consequence may adversely affect its reputation and the value of such projects and operations.

Health, safety, environmental and other regulations, standards and expectations evolve over time and unforeseen changes could have an adverse effect on the Group's earnings and cash flows.






Corporate governance

The directors of Rio Tinto believe that high standards of corporate governance are essential to its objective to maximise the overall long term return to shareholders and have continued to apply the standards discussed under 'Corporate governance' on pages 158 to 165 of the 2008 Annual report which is available on the website.


Publication of Half year report

In accordance with the UK Financial Services Authority's Disclosure & Transparency Rules and the Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules, the half year results will be made public and are available on the Rio Tinto Group website www.riotinto.com.


Auditor's independence declaration

PricewaterhouseCoopers, the auditors of Rio Tinto Limited, have provided the auditor's independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001. This has been reproduced on page 42 and forms part of this report. 


The Directors' report is made in accordance with a resolution of the board.


Jan du Plessis

Chairman

20 August 2009


  About Rio Tinto 

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE 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, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 


Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto's present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period, levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.


Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share.


  For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, London 

Christina Mills

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154

Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

Nick Cobban

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1138

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003

Media Relations, Australia 

Amanda Buckley

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627

Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349

Tony Shaffer

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612

Mobile: +1 202 256 3667


Media Relations, US and South America 

Tony Shaffer

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612

Mobile: +1 202 256 3667


Investor Relations, London

Nigel Jones

Office:   +44 (0) 20 7781 2049 

Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227365


David Ovington

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

Investor Relations, North America

Jason Combes

Office: +1 801 204 2919

Mobile: +1 801 558 2645

Investor Relations, Australia

Dave Skinner

Office:  +61 (0) 3 9283 3628

Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309


Simon Ellinor

Office: +61 (0) 7 3361 4365

Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811


Email:  questions@riotinto.com


Website:  www.riotinto.com


High resolution photographs and media pack available at: http://www.riotinto.com/media/press_kit.asp



  Group income statement

Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m

Restated (g)
Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m

Gross sales revenue (including share of equity accounted units) (a)

19,523 

30,005 

58,065 





Continuing operations




Consolidated sales revenue

18,846 

27,192 

54,264 

Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately)

(15,983)

(19,068)

(37,641)

Impairment charges net of reversals (b)

(16)

(6)

(8,015)

(Losses)/profit on disposal of interests in businesses (c)

(8)

2,248 

2,231 

Exploration and evaluation costs

(254)

(406)

(1,134)

Profit on disposal of interests in undeveloped projects (d)

888 

22 

489 

Operating profit

3,473 

9,982 

10,194 

Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units

201 

942 

1,039 

Profit before finance items and taxation

3,674 

10,924 

11,233 





Finance items




Net exchange gains/(losses) on external debt and intragroup balances

377 

(10)

(176)

Net gains/(losses) on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting

889 

(256)

(173)

Interest receivable and similar income

56 

130 

204 

Interest payable and similar charges

(480)

(824)

(1,618)

Amortisation of discount 

(128)

(146)

(292)


714 

(1,106)

(2,055)

Profit before taxation

4,388 

9,818 

9,178 

Taxation

(1,209)

(2,490)

(3,742)

Profit from continuing operations

3,179 

7,328 

5,436 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

Loss after tax from discontinued operations (e)

(522)

- 

(827)

Profit for the period

2,657 

7,328 

4,609 

- attributable to outside equity shareholders

206 

377 

933 

- attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto (Net earnings)

2,451 

6,951 

3,676 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share (f) 
(30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 restated)

 

 

 

Profit from continuing operations 

189.3c

442.8c

286.8c

Loss from discontinued operations

(33.2c)

- 

(52.7c)

Profit for the period

156.1c

442.8c

234.1c

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (f) 
(30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 restated)

 

 

 

Profit from continuing operations

188.8c

440.6c

285.5c

Loss from discontinued operations 

(33.1c)

- 

(52.4c)

Profit for the period

155.7c

440.6c

233.1c





Dividends paid during the period (US$m)

876 

1,083 

1,933 

Dividends per share: paid during the period (f) (30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 restated)

55.6c

68.7c

124.3c 

Dividends per share: proposed in the announcement of the results for the period (f) (30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 restated)

-

55.6c

55.6c 


(a)    Gross sales revenue includes the sales revenue of equity accounted units of US$1,195 million (30 June 2008: US$2,813 million; 31 December 2008: US$3,801 million) in addition to Consolidated sales revenue (after adjusting for intra-subsidiary/equity accounted units sales). Consolidated revenue includes subsidiary sales to equity accounted units which are not included in Gross sales revenue. 


(b)    Of the US$8,015 million included in 'Impairment charges' in 2008, US$7,341 million related to the Group's Aluminium businesses and to Alcan Engineered Products. Of this amount, US$6,608 million was allocated to goodwill. Alcan Packaging is discussed separately in (e) below. 


(c)    Gains arising on the disposal of interests in businesses in 2008 relate principally to sales of the Cortez gold mine completed on 5 March 2008 and the Greens Creek mine completed on 16 April 2008. 


(d)    Gains arising on the disposal of interests in undeveloped projects are stated net of charges of nil (30 June 2008: US$22 million; 31 December 2008: US$156 million), related to such projects.


(e)    An impairment of US$355 million (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$960 million) relating to the Alcan Packaging business has been recognised at 30 June 2009, and is included in 'Loss after tax from discontinued operations'. This impairment is based on an estimate of fair value less costs to sell, which is the Group's best estimate of expected proceeds to be realised on sale, less an estimate of remaining costs to sell. Additionally, 'Loss after tax from discontinued operations' includes a US$167 million tax charge (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$133 million credit) relating to an increase in the Group's estimate of the tax to be paid on sale of the Alcan Packaging business. This change in estimate follows a detailed review of the changes to the proposed sale structure.


(f)    For the purposes of calculating basic earnings per share, the weighted average number of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited shares outstanding during the period was 1,570.8 million (30 June 2008: 1,569.9 million; 31 December 2008: 1,570.1 million), being the average number of Rio Tinto plc shares outstanding of 1,208.5 million (30 June 2008: 1,207.6 million; 31 December 2008: 1,207.8 million), plus the average number of Rio Tinto Limited shares outstanding not held by Rio Tinto plc of 362.3 million (30 June and 31 December 2008: 362.3 million). The profit figure used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on profit attributable to equity shareholders of Rio Tinto.

For the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the effect of dilutive securities is added to the weighted average number of shares. This effect is calculated under the treasury stock method.

2009 earnings per share and dividends per share have been calculated using a number of shares which reflects the discounted price of the July rights issue ('the bonus factor'). 2008 comparatives have been restated accordingly.

Further information relating to the rights issues is shown in the 'Other Disclosures' note on page 38.


(g)    The 30 June 2008 income statement has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.


   Group statement of comprehensive income

Attributable to shareholders of Rio Tinto
US$m

Outside interests
US$m

Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m

Restated (a)
Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m

Profit after tax for the period

2,451

206

2,657

7,328 

4,609 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation adjustment

2,372

232

2,604

1,729 

(5,054)

Cash flow hedge fair value losses

 

 

 

 

 

- Cash flow hedge (losses)/gains arising 
   during the period

(38)

(34)

(72)

(661)

34 

- Cash flow hedge (gains)/losses 
   transferred to income statement

(2)

14

12

177 

352 

Available for sale financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

- Gains/(losses) on available for sale
    securities

217

(1)

216

(127)

(174)

- Gains on available for sale securities 
   transferred to income statement

(1)

-

(1)

(1)

(1)

Actuarial loss on post retirement benefit plans

(348)

-

(348)

(253)

(1,314)

Share of other comprehensive 
   income/(expense) of equity accounted units

158 

- 

158

98 

(283)

Tax relating to components of other 
   comprehensive income

117

6

123

281

244

Total comprehensive income/(expense)
   for the period

4,926 

423 

5,349 

8,571 

(1,587)


(a)  The 30 June 2008 statement of comprehensive income has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.


  Group statement of cash flows

Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m

Restated (c)
Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m

Cash flows from consolidated operations (a)

5,483 

7,834 

19,195 

Dividends from equity accounted units

46 

1,010 

1,473 

Cash flows from operations

5,529 

8,844 

20,668 

Net interest paid

(607)

(923)

(1,538)

Dividends paid to outside shareholders of subsidiaries

(305)

(107)

(348)

Tax paid

(1,653)

(2,248)

(3,899)

Net cash generated from operating activities

2,964 

5,566 

14,883 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Net disposals of subsidiaries, joint ventures & associates

67 

2,595 

2,563 

Purchase of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets

(2,864)

(3,680)

(8,574)

Sales of financial assets

151 

95 

171 

Purchases of financial assets

(28)

(72)

(288)

Other funding of equity accounted units

(48)

(265)

(334)

Other investing cash flows

171 

(147)

281 

Cash used in investing activities

(2,551)

(1,474)

(6,181)

 




Cash flows before financing activities

413 

4,092 

8,702 

 




Cash flows from financing activities




Equity dividends paid to Rio Tinto shareholders

(876)

(1,083)

(1,933)

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares in Rio Tinto

14 

28 

23 

Proceeds from additional borrowings

4,640 

4,559 

4,697 

Repayment of borrowings

(4,124)

(7,813)

(12,667)

Finance lease repayments

(6)

(5)

(10)

Receipts from close out of interest rate swaps

- 

- 

710 

Other financing cash flows

26 

52 

72 

Cash used in financing activities

(326)

(4,262)

(9,108)

Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

140 

228 

(101)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

227 

58 

(507)

Opening cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts

1,034 

1,541 

1,541 

Closing cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts (b)

1,261 

1,599 

1,034 


 

 

 

(a) Cash flows from consolidated operations

 

 

 

Profit from continuing operations

3,179 

7,328 

5,436 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

  Taxation

1,209 

2,490 

3,742 

  Finance items

(714)

1,106 

2,055 

  Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units

(201)

(942)

(1,039)

  Loss/(profit) on disposal of interests in businesses

8 

(2,248)

(2,231)

  Impairment charges

16 

6 

8,015 

  Depreciation and amortisation

1,559 

1,646 

3,475 

  Provisions (including exchange gains on provisions)

506 

229 

265 

Utilisation of provisions

(219)

(251)

(464)

Utilisation of provision for post retirement benefits

(225)

(223)

(448)

Change in inventories

165 

(439)

(1,178)

Change in trade and other receivables

988 

(1,174)

658 

Change in trade and other payables

(1,057)

483 

951 

Other items

269 

(177)

(42)


5,483

7,834 

19,195 


(b)    Closing cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts for 30 June 2009 differs from cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts on the statement of financial position as it includes US$6 million related to Corumbá cash and cash equivalents shown separately as assets held for sale on the statement of financial position.


(c)    The 30 June 2008 statement of cash flows has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.



  Group statement of financial position

30 June 2009
US$m

31 December 2008
US$m

Restated (c)
30 June 2008
US$m


30 June 2009
US$m

31 December 2008
US$m

Restated (c)
30 June 2008
US$m

Non-current assets




Goodwill

14,289 

14,296 

21,227 

Intangible assets

6,193 

6,285 

6,847 

Property, plant and equipment

45,423 

41,753 

45,523 

Investments in equity accounted units

5,466 

5,053 

6,158 

Loans to equity accounted units

69 

264 

303 

Inventories

226 

166 

194 

Trade and other receivables

1,008 

1,111 

1,672 

Deferred tax assets

1,610 

1,367 

1,410 

Tax recoverable

69 

220 

147 

Other financial assets

862 

666 

685 


75,215 

71,181 

84,166 

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventories

5,494 

5,607 

5,843 

Trade and other receivables

4,587 

5,401 

7,804 

Loans to equity accounted units

536 

251 

169 

Tax recoverable

492 

406 

519 

Other financial assets

312 

264 

774 

Cash and cash equivalents

1,295 

1,181 

1,683 


12,716 

13,110 

16,792 


 

 

 

Assets of disposal groups held for sale (a)

5,818 

5,325 

6,881 


 

 

 

Total assets

93,749 

89,616 

107,839 


 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand

(40)

(147)

(84)

Borrowings (d)

(16,503)

(9,887)

(6,865)

Trade and other payables

(6,331)

(7,197)

(6,913)

Other financial liabilities (e)

(6,712)

(480)

(1,141)

Tax payable

(870)

(1,442)

(1,235)

Provisions

(1,182)

(826)

(897)


(31,638)

(19,979)

(17,135)


 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Borrowings

(23,765)

(29,724)

(36,933)

Trade and other payables

(502)

(452)

(457)

Other financial liabilities

(368)

(268)

(757)

Tax payable

(385)

(450)

(450)

Deferred tax liabilities

(4,870)

(4,054)

(5,611)

Provision for post retirement benefits

(3,915)

(3,601)

(3,113)

Other provisions

(7,006)

(6,506)

(7,478)


(40,811)

(45,055)

(54,799)


 

 

 

Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale (a)

(2,283)

(2,121)

(2,275)


 

 

 

Total liabilities

(74,732)

(67,155)

(74,209)


 

 

 

Net assets

19,017 

22,461 

33,630 


 

 

 

Capital and reserves

 

 

 

Share capital 

 

 

 

- Rio Tinto plc

160 

160 

172 

- Rio Tinto Limited (excluding Rio Tinto plc interest)  

989 

961 

1,338 

Share premium account

3,987 

4,705 

1,949 

Other reserves

(6,547)

(2,322)

3,565 

Retained earnings

18,456 

17,134 

24,762 

Equity attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders

17,045 

20,638 

31,786 

Attributable to outside equity shareholders

1,972 

1,823 

1,844 

Total equity

19,017 

22,461 

33,630 


(a)     Assets and liabilities held for sale as at 30 June 2009 comprise the Corumbá iron ore operation in Brazil, Jacobs Ranch and the Alcan Packaging group. Assets and liabilities held for sale as at 30 June and 31 December 2008 comprise the Alcan Packaging group which was acquired with a view to resale. 


(b)    At 30 June 2009, Rio Tinto plc had 1,209.2 million ordinary shares in issue and held by the public, and Rio Tinto Limited had 362.3 million shares in issue, excluding those held by Rio Tinto plc. As required to be disclosed under the ASX Listing Rules, the net tangible liabilities per share amounted to US$2.19 (31 December 2008: US$0.04 net tangible assets; 30 June 2008: US$2.36 net tangible assets). Excluding the derivative financial liability of US$6.0 billion related to the rights issue (see note (e) below) net tangible assets per share at 30 June 2009 would be US$1.62. The numbers of shares reflect the discounted price of the July rights issue ('the bonus factor') and net tangible amounts per share have been calculated on this basis for all periods. As at 30 June 2009, before adjusting for the bonus factor, Rio Tinto plc had 999 million ordinary shares in issue and held by the public, and Rio Tinto Limited had 285.7 million shares in issue, excluding those held by Rio Tinto plc. On this basis, net tangible liabilities per share would have amounted to US$2.68 (31 December 2008: US$0.04 net tangible assets; 30 June 2008: US$6.45 net tangible assets). Excluding the derivative financial liability related to the rights issue, net tangible assets per share would be US$1.98.


(c)    The 30 June 2008 statement of financial position has been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting relating to Alcan which was finalised in 2008.


(d)    The US$14.8 billion proceeds of the rights issues (net of underwriting fees) received in July were used to pay off the remaining US$7.1 billion balance on Tranche A of the Alcan acquisition debt (originally due October 2009) and US$7.7 billion of the remaining balance on Tranche B (originally due October 2010). After the repayment some US$0.4 billion remained drawn on Tranche B. All of Tranches A and B of the Alcan facility have now been repaid. Tranche B of the acquisition facility is a revolving credit facility with US$2.4 billion available at the date of this release. 


IAS 1 indicates that financial liabilities should be classified as current when they are due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period even if the original term was longer than twelve months and the agreement was reached after the end of the reporting period. On this basis, all of Tranche B is shown as current in the 30 June 2009 statement of financial position as, under the terms of the Alcan Acquisition Facility Agreement, 100 per cent of the rights issues proceeds were required to pay down Facility A followed by Facility B. The revolving credit commitment on Facility B was also required to be reduced by the amount repaid of this facility.


(e)    Other financial liabilities include the rights issue derivative liability of US$6.0 billion. Further information relating to the rights issues is shown in the 'Other Disclosures' note on page 38.




  Group statement of changes in equity

Attributable to shareholders of Rio Tinto
US$m

Outside interests
US$m

Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m

Restated (b)
Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m

Opening balance 

20,638 

1,823 

22,461 

26,293 

26,293 

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

4,926 

423 

5,349 

8,571 

(1,587)

Dividends

(876)

(306)

(1,182)

(1,192)

(2,281)

Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto
   shareholders




 

 

-To satisfy share options

(27)

- 

(27)

(144)

(128)

Ordinary shares issued

22 

- 

22 

28 

31 

Rights issue expenses including mark to market losses (a)

(863)

- 

(863)

- 

- 

Rights issue derivative liability (a)

(6,809)

- 

(6,809)

- 

- 

Shares issued to outside interests

- 

32 

32 

46 

72 

Employee share options charged to the 
   income statement

34 

- 

34 

28 

61 

Closing balance

17,045 

1,972 

19,017 

33,630 

22,461 


 (a)    Rights issue expenses include mark to market losses on forward contracts taken out by Rio Tinto plc to improve confidence in the absolute dollar proceeds of the rights issues together with underwriting and other fees. Other information relating to the rights issues is shown in the 'Other Disclosures' note on page 38.


(b)    The 30 June 2008 statement of changes in equity has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.





Reconciliation with Australian IFRS

The Group's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union ('EU IFRS'), which differs in certain respects from the version of IFRS that is applicable in Australia ('Australian IFRS').


Prior to 1 January 2004, the Group's financial statements were prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. Under EU IFRS goodwill on acquisitions prior to 1998, which was eliminated directly against equity in the Group's UK GAAP financial statements, has not been reinstated. This was permitted under the rules governing the transition to EU IFRS set out in IFRS 1. The equivalent Australian Standard, AASB 1, does not provide for the netting of goodwill against equity. As a consequence, shareholders' funds under Australian IFRS include the residue of such goodwill, which amounted to US$736 million at 30 June 2009 (31 December 2008: US$752 million; 30 June 2008: US$730 million).


Save for the exception described above, the Group's financial statements drawn up in accordance with EU IFRS are consistent with the requirements of Australian IFRS.

  

Reconciliation of Net earnings to Underlying earnings

Exclusions from Underlying earnings
Pre-tax (j)
US$m
Taxation US$m
Outside Interests US$m
Discontinued operations (j)
US$m
Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m
Restated (k) Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m
Year to 31 December 2008
US$m
Profits less losses on  disposal of interests 
  in businesses (a)
(8)
(4)
-
-
(12)
1,483
1,470
Net impairment charges (b)
(16)
4
-
-
(12)
(3)
(7,579)
Loss after tax from discontinued operations (b)
-
-
-
(522)
(522)
-
(827)
Exchange differences and
    gains/(losses) on
    derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    - Exchange gains/(losses)
       on US dollar net debt and
       intragroup balances (c)
378
(483)
11
-
(94)
339
960
    - Gains/(losses) on
       currency and interest
       rate derivatives not
       qualifying for hedge 
       accounting (d), (e)
(78)
29
13
-
(36)
7
(22)
    - Gains/(losses) on
       commodity derivatives
       not qualifying for hedge
       accounting (f)
174
(51)
-
-
123
(265)
(95)
Derivative associated with the
     rights issue (g)
827
-
-
-
827
- 
-
Chinalco break fee
(195)
13
-
-
(182)
-
-
Restructuring costs from
    global headcount
    reduction (h)
(128)
24
-
-
(104)
-
(57)
Other exclusions (i)
(133)
31
-
-
(102)
(136)
(477)
Total excluded from
    Underlying earnings
821
(437)
24
(522)
(114)
1,425
(6,627)
Net earnings
4,388
(1,209)
(206)
(522)
2,451
6,951
3,676
Underlying earnings
3,567
(772)
(230)
-
2,565
5,526
10,303


'Underlying earnings' is an alternative measure of earnings, which is reported by Rio Tinto to provide greater understanding of the underlying business performance of its operations. Underlying earnings and Net earnings both represent amounts attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders. Items (b) to (i) below are excluded from Net earnings in arriving at Underlying earnings.


 (a)    Gains arising on the disposal of interests in businesses in 2008 relate principally to sales of the Cortez gold mine completed on 5 March 2008 and the Greens Creek mine completed on 16 April 2008. Gains arising on the disposal of interests in undeveloped projects are not excluded from Underlying earnings. 


(b)    Charges relating to impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, other than undeveloped projects, but including discontinued operations. 

An impairment of US$355 million (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$960 million) relating to the Alcan Packaging business has been recognised at 30 June 2009, and is included in 'Loss after tax from discontinued operations'. This impairment is based on an estimate of fair value less costs to sell, which is based on the Group's best estimate of expected proceeds to be realised on sale of Alcan Packaging, less an estimate of remaining costs to sell. Additionally, 'Loss after tax from discontinued operations' of US$522 million (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$827 million) includes a US$167 million tax charge (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$133 million credit) relating to an increase in the Group's estimate of the tax to be paid on sale of the Alcan Packaging business. This change in estimate follows a detailed review of the changes to the proposed sale structure.

The impairment charge of US$7,579 million for the year ended 31 December 2008 related mainly to a write-down on Aluminium of US$6,127 million and Alcan Engineered Products of US$980 million, following the annual impairment review process. The impairment charge includes amounts relating to equity accounted units of US$3 million (30 June 2008: nil; 31 December 2008: US$15 million).

The acquisition price of Alcan anticipated significant growth in smelter and refinery capacity, but, following the significant weakening in economic and market circumstances, many of these growth projects were deferred. These deferrals, together with the increase in input costs, resulted in the impairment charge relating to Aluminium.

The Group's intention is to sell Alcan Engineered Products. As such, the recoverable amount was originally estimated, at acquisition, by reference to fair value less costs to sell. Such estimates were derived by applying multiples to forecasts of earnings for Alcan Engineered Products businesses. The multiples were derived from statistics relating to publicly traded companies in the various sectors in which the Alcan Engineered Products businesses operate. The main circumstances that led to the impairment of Alcan Engineered Products were the adverse change in capital markets, making it difficult to fund acquisitions of companies generally; the global economic downturn; and the adverse trading performance of Alcan Engineered Products' operations.

Information on the arrangements entered into after the period end in respect of the announced disposal of the majority of the remaining Alcan Packaging businesses is shown on page 39 under 'Subsequent Events'. 


(c)    Exchange gains and losses on US dollar debt and intragroup balances. 


(d)    Valuation changes on currency and interest rate derivatives which are ineligible for hedge accounting, other than those embedded in commercial contracts.


(e)    The currency revaluation of embedded US dollar derivatives contained in contracts held by entities whose functional currency is not the US dollar.


(f)    Valuation changes on commodity derivatives, including those embedded in commercial contracts, that are ineligible for hedge accounting, but for which there will be an offsetting change in future Group earnings.


(g)    Information relating to the rights issues is shown in the 'Other Disclosures' note on page 38.


(h)    During 2009 the Group incurred restructuring costs relating to the cost saving measures announced in December 2008.


(i)    Other credits and charges that, individually, or in aggregate if of a similar type, are of a nature or size to require exclusion in order to provide additional insight into underlying business performance.

During 2008 the Group incurred advisory and other costs related to the rejection by the Board of the pre-conditional takeover proposal from BHP Billiton which was withdrawn in November. These costs totalled US$270 million (net of tax) in 2008 and have been excluded from Underlying earnings. Other charges excluded from Underlying earnings in 2008 and 2009 comprise costs relating to non-recurring acquisitions, disposals and similar corporate projects. 


(j)    Exclusions from Underlying earnings relating to equity accounted units and discontinued operations are stated after tax. 


(k)    The 30 June 2008 reconciliation of net earnings to underlying earnings has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.



  Consolidated net debt

30 June
 2009
US$m

31 December
2008
US$m

Restated (a)
30 June
2008

US$m

Analysis of changes in consolidated net debt




Opening balance 

(38,672)

(45,191)

(45,191)

Adjustment on currency translation

(1,247)

1,296 

(155)

Exchange gains/(losses) credited/charged to the income statement

1,285 

(1,701)

141 

Gains on derivatives related to net debt

20 

105 

15 

Cash movement excluding exchange movements

(417)

6,864 

3,083 

Other movements

(26)

(45)

(20)

Closing balance

(39,057)

(38,672)

(42,127)


 

 

 

Analysis of closing balance




Borrowings

(40,268)

(39,611)

(43,798)

Bank overdrafts repayable on demand

(40)

(147)

(84)

Cash and cash equivalents

1,295 

1,181 

1,683 

Other liquid resources (included in 'other financial assets')

8 

4 

6 

Derivatives related to net debt (included in 'other financial assets/liabilities')

(52)

(99)

66 


(39,057)

(38,672)

(42,127)


 (a)    The 30 June 2008 information has been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. 


(b)    The net proceeds of US$14.8 billion from the rights issues were used to repay debt in July 2009. Further detail is given in footnote (d) to the statement of financial position.





Geographical analysis (by destination)

Six months to 30 June 
2009

%

Six months to 30 June 2008
%

Year to 31 December 2008

%


Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m

Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m




Gross sales revenue




23.8

22.7

22.4

North America

4,642 

6,813 

12,984 

18.2

25.4

24.3

Europe

3,561 

7,624 

14,127 

10.5

14.7

15.2

Japan

2,048 

4,419 

8,825 

26.8

16.5

18.6

China

5,232 

4,942 

10,803 

12.3

11.2

11.3

Other Asia

2,407 

3,352 

6,584 

3.1

3.8

3.2

Australia and New Zealand

603 

1,127 

1,877 

5.3

5.7

5.0

Other

1,030 

1,728 

2,865 

100.0

100.0

100.0

Total

19,523 

30,005 

58,065 


The Financial Information by Business Unit provided on page 9 of this release, together with the table above, satisfies the disclosure requirements of IFRS 8 for interim statements, and also provides additional voluntary disclosure which the Group considers is useful to the users of the financial statements.



  Prima facie tax reconciliation

 
Six months to 30 June 2009
US$m
Restated (c)
Six months to 30 June 2008
US$m
Year to 31 December 2008
US$m
Profit before taxation
4,388
9,818
9,178
Deduct: share of profit after tax of equity accounted units
(201)
(942)
(1,039)
Parent companies' and subsidiaries' profit before tax
4,187
8,876
8,139
Prima facie tax payable at UK rate of 28%
1,172
2,485
2,279
Higher rate of taxation on Australian earnings
65
80
226
Impact of items excluded in arriving at Underlying earnings
216
(195)
919
Adjustments to deferred tax liabilities following changes in tax rates
(23)
(26)
(25)
Other tax rates applicable outside the UK and Australia
25
170
206
Resource depletion and other depreciation allowances
(49)
(77)
(129)
Research, development and other investment allowances
(11)
(27)
(72)
Utilisation of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets
(16)
(9)
(160)
Unrecognised current year operating losses
53
55
163
Foreign exchange differences
(71)
(18)
197
Withholding taxes
30
22
95
Non-taxable gains on asset disposals (b)
(208)
-
-
Other items
26
30
43
Total taxation charge (a)
1,209
2,490
3,742



(a)    This tax reconciliation relates to the parent companies, subsidiaries and proportionally consolidated units. The Group's share of profit of equity accounted units is net of tax charges of US$169 million (30 June 2008: US$583 million; 31 December 2008: US$596 million).


(b)    The non-taxable gains on asset disposals relates to undeveloped potash assets in Argentina and Canada. 


(c)    The 30 June 2008 prima facie tax reconciliation has been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. 



  Disposals and acquisitions

30 June 2009 

During the first half of 2009, Rio Tinto announced divestments totalling US$2.5 billion, including US$850 million for the undeveloped potash assets in Argentina and Canada (previously in the Energy & Minerals product group) and US$125 million for the Ningxia aluminium smelter in China (previously in the Aluminium product group), which were completed on 5 February 2009 and 26 January 2009 respectively, US$750 million for the Corumbá iron ore operation in Brazil (previously in the Iron Ore product group) and US$761 million for the Jacobs Ranch coal mine in the United States (previously in the Energy & Minerals product group). The Corumbá and Jacobs Ranch divestments remain as assets held for sale in the statement of financial position as the sales are subject to obtaining required regulatory approvals. The fair values of Corumbá and Jacobs Ranch exceeded their respective carrying values as at 30 June 2009. Profit on disposal of interests in undeveloped projects is included in Underlying earnings. 

 

There were no significant acquisitions for the period ended 30 June 2009. 

 

On 5 June 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had entered into a non-binding agreement with BHP Billiton to establish a production joint venture of both companies' Western Australian iron ore assets. 

30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 

On 5 March 2008, the Group completed the sale of its interest in the Cortez gold mine (previously in the Copper product group) for a sales price which included cash consideration of US$1,695 million. The Group will benefit from a deferred bonus payment in the event of a significant discovery of additional reserves and resources at the Cortez mine and also will retain a contingent royalty interest in the future production of the property. 


On 16 April 2008, the Group completed the sale of its joint venture interest in the Greens Creek mine to Hecla Mining Company. Greens Creek, which mines silver, gold, zinc and lead, was previously part of the Copper product group. The sale price was US$750 million, comprising a cash component of US$700 million with the balance in the common stock of Hecla Mining Company. 

 

There were no significant acquisitions for the period ended 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008.  



Other disclosures

Capital commitments

Capital commitments, including those relating to joint ventures and associates, were US$3,227 million (31 December 2008: US$4,354 million; 30 June 2008: US$5,603 million).

Contingent liabilities

There were no material changes in contingent liabilities or contingent assets during the period.

Related party matters

Transactions and balances with equity accounted units are summarised below. Purchases relate largely to amounts charged by jointly controlled entities for toll processing of bauxite and alumina. Sales relate largely to charges for supply of coal to jointly controlled marketing entities for onward sale to third party customers.

  

Six months to
 30 June 2009
US$m

Six months to
30 June 2008
US$m

Year to 31 December 2008
US$m

Income statement items




Purchases from equity accounted units

(538)

(1,226)

(2,770)

Sales to equity accounted units

976 

1,336 

3,011 

Balance sheet items

30 June 2009
US$m

Restated 

30 June 2008
US$m

31 December 2008
US$m

Investments in equity accounted units

5,466 

6,158 

5,053 

Loans to equity accounted units

605 

472 

515 

Loans from equity accounted units

(246)

(207)

(195)

Trade and other receivables: amounts due from equity accounted units

939 

937 

688 

Trade and other payables: amounts due to equity accounted units

(384)

(273)

(280)

Cash flow statement items

US$m

US$m

US$m

Net funding of equity accounted units

(48)

(265)

(334)


Rights Issues

The terms of the rights issues were 21 New Rio Tinto plc Shares offered for every 40 existing shares at 1,400 pence per share and 21 New Rio Tinto Limited Shares offered for every 40 existing shares at A$28.29 per share. The rights issues were fully underwritten and were completed on 2 July 2009 and 3 July 2009 respectively. The net proceeds from the rights issues of US$14.8 billion were used to pay down Group borrowings.


Although Rio Tinto plc's functional currency is the US dollar, the UK element of the rights issue was denominated in sterling. Accordingly, under current IFRS rules the offer of rights is treated as a derivative financial liability because the company is not issuing a fixed number of shares for a fixed amount of US dollars. (Rio Tinto Limited's functional currency is the Australian dollar and the Australian element of the rights issue was denominated in Australian dollars so there is no equivalent issue for Rio Tinto Limited).


Under IFRS, therefore, the derivative financial liability relating to Rio Tinto plc was measured at its fair value of US$6.8 billion on 17 June, the date at which the offer became unconditional and the rights commenced trading. The liability was calculated based on the average price at which the rights traded on that date. The corresponding entry on this date was to shareholders' equity. The derivative has a value linked to both the US dollar/sterling exchange rate and the Rio Tinto plc share price. Subsequent to 17 June the liability was marked to market through the income statement and the gain to 30 June was US$827 million. This gain is included in the line 'Net gains/(losses) on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting' within 'Finance items' on the face of the Income statement. It is excluded from underlying earnings. The liability at 30 June was US$6.0 billion which is included in 'Other financial liabilities' on the statement of financial position. The gain of US$827 million arose because the Group's share price decreased during the period to 30 June. The liability expired when the rights were settled in July and the liability at that date was credited to equity. There was therefore no impact on the Group's shareholders' equity or distributable reserves and no economic impact for the Group.


On 21 July 2009, following a recommendation from the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ('IFRIC') that, the standard, IAS 32, which gives rise to this treatment, be urgently amended, the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') discussed this matter. The conclusion was that a rights issue to existing shareholders to receive a fixed number of shares at a fixed price in a currency other than the entity's functional currency should be classed as an equity transaction and should therefore not give rise to a derivative liability. An Exposure Draft will be issued by the IASB to amend IAS 32, in a manner that would, if adopted, mean that the Group would not be required to recognise a derivative liability in the circumstances described above. While the Group expects that the amendment to IAS 32 will be adopted in time for application in its full year accounts the current accounting requirements have been applied in these interim statements. If the amendment is adopted then the gain of US$827 million will be removed from the full year income statement with a corresponding credit to equity. There will be no impact on the Group's shareholders' equity or distributable reserves. 


Both Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited entered into a series of forward US dollar derivative exchange contracts to minimise exposure to foreign exchange rates and to improve confidence in the absolute dollar proceeds from the rights issues. The rights issue proceeds were used for a part prepayment of the US dollar denominated Alcan acquisition facility. The forward contracts taken out by both companies are accounted for as derivatives. The contracts entered into by Rio Tinto plc to fix the sterling proceeds in US dollars, which is the company's functional currency, are considered to be, in substance, share issue costs and accordingly the losses on these contracts have been recognised in equity, within share premium, at 30 June. Rio Tinto Limited's functional currency is the Australian dollar and therefore the losses on the contracts entered into by Rio Tinto Limited have been recognised in the income statement and excluded from underlying earnings. 


The rights issues were at a discount to the then market price. Accordingly, both earnings and dividends per share for all periods have been adjusted for this bonus factor. The bonus factor for Rio Tinto plc was 1.2105 and for Rio Tinto Limited was 1.2679.


Subsequent events 

On 6 July 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached agreement to sell the Alcan Packaging Food Americas division for US$1.2 billion to Bemis Company, Inc. Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.


The net proceeds of US$14.8 billion from the rights issues were used to repay debt in July 2009. Further detail is given in footnote (d) to the statement of financial position.


On 18 August 2009, Rio Tinto announced that it had received a binding offer from Amcor to acquire the majority of the remaining Alcan Packaging businesses, comprising Alcan Packaging global pharmaceuticals, global tobacco, food Europe and food Asia divisions, for a total consideration of US$2,025 million. The remaining Beauty packaging division will be divested separately. A period of exclusivity with Amcor has been agreed, and Rio Tinto will respond to this binding offer, following consultation with the relevant European works councils. Completion of the potential transaction would be subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in Europe and in the United States.


  Basis of preparation

The consolidated interim financial statements included in this report are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the European Union ('EU'), the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and an Order under section 340 of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on 27 January 2006 (as amended on 22 December 2006).


Accounting policies

The EU IFRS consolidated interim financial statements have been drawn up on the basis of accounting policies, methods of computation and presentation consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the year to 31 December 2008 except for IFRS 8 - Operating Segments and IAS 1 - Presentation of financial statements (revised) which are mandatory for 2009. These standards relate to disclosure only.


The Financial Information by Business Unit and the Geographic analysis of sales by destination provided on pages 9 and 35 of this release respectively, satisfy the disclosure requirements of IFRS 8 for interim financial statements and also provide additional voluntary disclosure which the Group considers is useful to the users of the financial statements.


Status of financial information

These consolidated interim financial statements do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.


Financial information for the year to 31 December 2008 has been extracted from the full financial statements prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain derivative contracts and financial assets, as filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' report on the full financial statements for the year to 31 December 2008 was unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) of the United Kingdom Companies Act 1985 (regarding adequacy of accounting records and returns), or under 237(3) (regarding provision of necessary information and explanations).


Financial information for the half year to 30 June 2008 has been restated for the revisions to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008. Net earnings attributable to Rio Tinto shareholders have increased by US$37 million and underlying earnings by US$52 million as a consequence. Details of the final purchase price accounting were included in note 41 to the 2008 Rio Tinto Annual Report and Full Financial Statements.


  Directors' Declaration of Responsibility


In the directors' opinion:


The interim financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' under EU IFRS, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom, applicable accounting standards and the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (as modified by an order of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission dated 27 January 2006 and amended on 22 December 2006) using the most appropriate accounting policies for Rio Tinto's business and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements.


The interim financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the Rio Tinto Group's financial position as at 30 June 2009 and of its performance, as represented by the results of its operations, recognised income and expense and its cash flows for the six months then ended.


There are reasonable grounds to believe that each of the Rio Tinto Group, Rio Tinto Limited and Rio Tinto plc, has adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.


The interim report includes a fair review of the information required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:

-    an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of interim financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and


-    material related party transactions in the first six months and any material changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report and Full Financial Statements.



Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.




Tom Albanese

Chief Executive Officer

20 August 2009




Guy Elliott

Finance Director

20 August 2009


  Auditors' Independence Declaration


As lead auditor for the review of Rio Tinto Limited for the half year ended 30 June 2009, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:


a)    no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the review; and

b)    no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the review.


This declaration is in respect of Rio Tinto Limited and the entities it controlled during the period.



Robert Hubbard

Partner

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Brisbane

20 August 2009


Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation


  Independent review report to Rio Tinto plc and 
Rio Tinto Limited ('the Companies')


Introduction

For the purpose of this report, the terms 'we' and 'our' denote PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in relation to UK legal, professional and regulatory responsibilities and reporting obligations to Rio Tinto plc and PricewaterhouseCoopers in relation to Australian legal, professional and regulatory responsibilities and reporting obligations to Rio Tinto Limited.


We have been engaged by the Companies to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report of the Rio Tinto Group (comprising the Companies and their subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures) for the six months ended 30 June 2009, which comprises the Group income statement, Group statement of comprehensive income, Group statement of cash flows, Group statement of financial position, Group statement of changes in equity and related notes (including the financial information by business unit). We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.


Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority and the Australian Corporations Act 2001 as modified by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Order dated 27 January 2006 (as amended on 22 December 2006).


As disclosed in Note 1 'Principal Accounting Policies' of the Full financial statements, the financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.


Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Companies a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have prepared this report, including the conclusion, for and only for Rio Tinto plc for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and PricewaterhouseCoopers have prepared this report, including the conclusion, for and only for Rio Tinto Limited for the purpose of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 as amended by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Order dated 27 January 2006 (as amended on 22 December 2006) and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.


Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.


Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Cont…/

  

Conclusion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for Rio Tinto plc


Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.


Conclusion of PricewaterhouseCoopers for Rio Tinto Limited


Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Australian Corporations Act 2001 as amended by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Order dated 27 January 2006 (as amended on 22 December 2006).

 





PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

20 August 2009

in respect of Rio Tinto plc

Robert Hubbard

Partner

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Chartered Accountants

Brisbane

20 August 2009

in respect of Rio Tinto Limited


Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation


Notes:


a)    The maintenance and integrity of the Rio Tinto Group website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.


b)    Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.


  Notes to financial information by business unit 
(Pages 9 and 10)


Business units have been classified according to the Group's management structure. Generally, business units are allocated to product groups based on their primary product. The Energy & Minerals group includes both coal and uranium businesses, together with the Industrial Minerals businesses with main products such as borates, talc and titanium dioxide feedstock. The Copper & Diamonds group includes certain gold operations in addition to copper and diamonds operations. Alcan Engineered Products has been reclassified from 'Aluminium' to 'Other Operations' during the year and comparative information has been restated accordingly. The chief executive of each product group and the global head of each business support group report to the chief executive of Rio Tinto. 


(a)    Gross sales revenue includes 100 per cent of subsidiaries' sales revenue and the Group's share of the sales revenue of equity accounted units. Rio Tinto's share of the sales revenue of equity accounted units is deducted from gross revenue and subsidiary sales to equity accounted units are added to gross revenue to arrive at consolidated sales revenue. The reconciling items totalled US$677 million (30 June 2008: US$2,813 million).


(b)    EBITDA of subsidiaries and the Group's share of EBITDA relating to equity accounted units represents profit before: tax, net finance items, depreciation and amortisation.


(c)    Net earnings represent profit after tax for the period attributable to the Rio Tinto Group. Earnings of subsidiaries are stated before finance items but after the amortisation of the discount related to provisions. Earnings attributable to equity accounted units include interest charges and amortisation of discount. Earnings attributed to business units do not include amounts that are excluded in arriving at Underlying earnings.


(d)    Includes Rio Tinto's interests in Hamersley (100 per cent) and HIsmelt (60 per cent).


(e)    The Group holds 65 per cent of Robe River Iron Associates, of which 30 per cent is held through a 60 per cent owned subsidiary. The Group's net beneficial interest is therefore 53 per cent, net of amounts attributable to outside equity shareholders. 


(f)    Includes the Alcan group, excluding Alcan Packaging which is shown as an 'Asset Held for Sale' and Alcan Engineered Products which is shown within 'Other Operations', acquired in 2007 together with the aluminium business previously owned by Rio Tinto.


(g)    Under the terms of a joint venture agreement, Rio Tinto is entitled to 40 per cent of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998.


(h)    Diamonds includes Rio Tinto's interests in Argyle (100 per cent), Diavik (60 per cent) and Murowa (77.8 per cent). 


(i)    Includes Rio Tinto's 75.7 per cent interest in Coal and Allied, which is managed by Rio Tinto Coal Australia, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Rio Tinto. The Group owns a 40 per cent interest in Bengalla and 80 per cent interest in Mount Thorley through its 75.7 per cent investment in Coal and Allied, giving a beneficial interest to the Group of 30.3 per cent and 60.6 per cent, respectively.


(j)    Includes Rio Tinto's interests in QIT (100 per cent) and Richards Bay Iron and Titanium (Pty) Limited (50 per cent). 


(k)    Includes Rio Tinto's interests in Rio Tinto Borax (100 per cent) and Luzenac Talc (100 per cent). 


(l)    Capital expenditure comprises the net cash outflow on purchases less disposals of property, plant and equipment, capitalised evaluation costs and purchases less disposals of other intangible assets. The details provided include 100 per cent of subsidiaries' capital expenditure and Rio Tinto's share of the capital expenditure of equity accounted units. Amounts relating to equity accounted units not specifically funded by Rio Tinto are deducted before arriving at total capital expenditure for the Group.


(m)    Operating assets of subsidiaries comprise net assets before deducting net debt, less outside shareholders' interests which are calculated by reference to the net assets of the relevant companies (i.e. net of such companies' debt) and before deducting the US$6.0 billion liability for the derivative associated with the rights issue which is explained on page 38. For equity accounted units, Rio Tinto's net investment is shown.


(n)    On this line, operating assets deal with Alcan Packaging and other assets held for sale.  


(o)    The 30 June 2008 comparatives have been restated for the revision to fair value accounting in respect of Alcan which was finalised in 2008.




  Summary financial data in Australian dollars, Sterling and 
US dollars

30 June 2009

30 June (d) 
2008

30 June 2009

30 June (d) 
2008


30 June 2009

30 June (d) 
2008

31 December 
2008

A$m

A$m

£m

£m


US$m

US$m

US$m

27,497 

32,614 

13,103 

15,231 

Gross sales revenue  

19,523 

30,005 

58,065

26,544 

29,557 

12,648 

13,803 

Consolidated sales revenue

18,846 

27,192 

54,264

6,180 

10,672 

2,945 

4,984 

Profit before tax from continuing operations

4,388 

9,818 

9,178

4,477 

7,965 

2,134 

3,720 

Profit for the period from continuing operations

3,179 

7,328 

5,436

(735)

-

(350)

-

Loss for the period from discontinued operations

(522)

-

(827)

3,452 

7,555 

1,645 

3,528 

Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Rio Tinto

2,451 

6,951 

3,676

3,613 

6,007 

1,721 

2,805 

Underlying earnings (a)

2,565 

5,526 

10,303

266.6c 

481.3c 

127.0p 

224.8p

Basic earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations (c)

189.3c

442.8c

286.8c

230.0c 

382.6c

109.6p

178.7p

Basic Underlying earnings per ordinary share (a), (c)

163.3c

352.0c

656.2c

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share to 
Rio Tinto shareholders

 

 


82.97c

76.08c

37.85p

35.27p

- paid 

55.6c

68.7c

124.3c

-

63.25c

-

29.64p

- proposed dividend

- 

55.6c

55.6c

582 

4,448 

277 

2,077 

Cash flow before financing activities

413 

4,092 

8,702









30 June 2009

31 December
2008

30 June 2009

31 December
2008


30 June 2009

31 December 
2008


A$m

A$m

£m

£m


US$m

US$m


(48,219)

(56,046)

(23,528)

(26,856)

Net debt 

(39,057)

(38,672)


21,043 

29,910 

10,268 

14,332 

Equity attributable to 
Rio Tinto shareholders

17,045 

20,638 



(a)    Underlying earnings exclude impairment charges and other net expenses of US$114 million (30 June 2008: US$1,425 million net income; 31 December 2008: US$6,627 million net expense), which are analysed on page 33.


(b)    The financial data above have been extracted from the financial information set out on pages 25 to 35. The Australian dollar and Sterling amounts are based on the US dollar amounts, retranslated at average or closing rates as appropriate, except for the dividends which are the actual amounts payable restated for the bonus factor of the rights issues.


(c)    Basic earnings per ordinary share and basic Underlying earnings per ordinary share do not recognise the dilution resulting from share options in issue. 2009 earnings per share from continuing operations, underlying earnings per share and dividends per share have been calculated using a number of shares which reflects the discounted price of the July rights issue ('the bonus factor'). 2008 comparatives have been restated accordingly.


(d)    The 30 June 2008 income statement information has been restated for the revisions to Alcan's fair value accounting which was finalised in 2008.



  

Metal prices and exchange rates


Six months to 30 June 2009

Six months to 30 June 2008

Change 
1H09 v 1H08

Year to 31 December 2008







Metal prices - average for the period





Copper

- US cents/lb

182c 

367c 

-50%

320c 

Aluminium 

- US$/tonne

US$1,422 

US$2,827 

-50%

US$2,601 

Gold

- US$/troy oz

US$913

US$910

-

US$872

Molybdenum

- US$/lb

US$9

US$34

-74%

US$31







Average exchange rates in US$





Sterling


1.49

1.97

-24%

1.86

Australian dollar


0.71

0.92

-23%

0.86

Canadian dollar


0.83

0.99

-16%

0.94

Euro


1.33

1.53

-13%

1.47

South African rand


0.11

0.13

-15%

0.12







Period end exchange rates in US$





Sterling


1.66

1.99

-17%

1.44

Australian dollar


0.81

0.96

-16%

0.69

Canadian dollar


0.87

0.99

-12%

0.82

Euro


1.41

1.58

-11%

1.41

South African rand


0.13

0.13

-

0.11



Availability of this report


This report is available on the Rio Tinto website.




This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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