Rio Tinto and Komatsu

Rio Tinto PLC
18 January 2008


Rio Tinto and Komatsu to develop autonomous haulage system for Pilbara iron ore
operations



18 January 2008



Rio Tinto has embarked on a ground-breaking programme to develop a world-leading
system to automate its Pilbara iron ore operations.



A significant component of this ambitious venture is the formation of an
alliance with Komatsu to develop and deploy advanced Autonomous Haulage
solutions to support Rio Tinto Iron Ore's operations in Western Australia.



Rio Tinto and Komatsu have agreed to work together to establish an autonomous
mining operation in the Pilbara that will feature the industry-leading Komatsu
Autonomous Haulage System.  The system will be commissioned before the end of
2008.   This autonomous mining system will be more widely deployed in new and
existing Rio Tinto Iron Ore operations by 2010.



Tom Albanese, chief executive Rio Tinto, said, 'Komatsu has been the Rio Tinto
Group's preferred supplier of haulage equipment for over ten years.  Komatsu is
our partner of choice in the development and deployment of autonomous haulage
solutions and this alliance marks an important extension to our successful
business relationship.'



'Rio Tinto is committed to the development and deployment of integrated
autonomous mine-to-port operations.  We are closely focussed on supporting our
Pilbara iron ore expansion through the application of world-leading automation
technologies.'


About Rio Tinto



Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK,
combining Rio Tinto plc, a London 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' within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 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
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 City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Takeover Code'), 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.



Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its
officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any
person involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation
or warranty (either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied
values, anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, Australia                        Media Relations, London
Amanda Buckley                                    Christina Mills
Office:  [phone]                      Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]
Ian Head                                          Nick Cobban
Office:  [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]

Media Relations, Americas
Nancy Ives
Mobile:  [phone]

Investor Relations, Australia                     Investor Relations, London
Dave Skinner                                      Nigel Jones
Office:  [phone]                      Office:   [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]
Simon Ellinor                                     David Ovington
Office:  [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations, North America
Jason Combes
Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]


Email:  [e-mail]


Website:  www.riotinto.com

High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk




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