Three new iron ore carriers

Rio Tinto PLC
07 January 2008


Rio Tinto to buy three new iron ore carriers


7 January 2008


Rio Tinto will purchase three 250 000 deadweight tonne ore carriers to transport
iron ore from its mines in the Pilbara in Western Australia (and potentially
from Simandou in Guinea) to customers in China and elsewhere. The Group has also
reserved rights on another two vessels of similar size.


The vessels, to be built by Namura Shipyards in Japan and delivered from late
2012, will play a critical role in consolidating Rio Tinto Iron Ore's leadership
position in the global market. They will help Rio Tinto build upon its natural
freight advantage in Asian exports. The cost of the three vessels will be about
US$315 million.


China's iron ore imports have grown substantially in recent years and are
forecast to continue to grow strongly with the potential to more than double
post 2010. To maintain and increase its share of this growth, Rio Tinto Iron Ore
is expanding the capacity of its Pilbara iron ore operations to 220 million
tonnes by 2009, supported by long term contracts, hybrid contracts and spot
sales.



During its investor seminar on 26 November 2007, Rio Tinto said its exceptional
growth strategy in iron ore and its strong pricing outlook would allow the Group
to build a conceptual pathway to treble production to over 600 million tonnes of
iron ore per annum from Australia and Guinea.



Sam Walsh, chief executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore said, 'Competitive freight and
freight management are important levers in our growth plans.  These very large
ore carriers will assist us in continuing to provide our customers with better
delivery options well into the future while locking in low, long term freight
rates for the benefit of our shareholders.'



David Peever, managing director of Rio Tinto Marine, said, 'These
fit-for-purpose vessels are designed for maximum loading at Rio Tinto's iron ore
ports.  The timely acquisition of these vessels, and the related options,
provides us with maximum flexibility in developing our future marine strategy.'



Mr Peever said that the Group, through Rio Tinto Marine, manages a freight
portfolio with a strong focus on long term, low cost freight positions. 'During
2008, we will be considering commercial options and partnerships to further
leverage our very sizable freight business.'



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

Ian Head                                              Nick Cobban
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                                                      Christina Mills
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Media Relations, Americas

Nancy Ives
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Investor Relations, Australia                         Investor Relations, London

Dave Skinner                                          Nigel Jones
Office:  [phone]                          Office:   [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                           Mobile: [phone]
                                                      
                                                      David Ovington
Simon Ellinor                                         Office:  [phone]
Office:+ 61 (0) 7 3867 1068                           Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations, North America

Jason Combes
Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]



Email:  [e-mail]



Website:  www.riotinto.com
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