Hope Downs mine

Rio Tinto PLC
16 March 2006


Hope Downs mine development application submitted


Following approval by the respective Boards of the Hope Downs Joint Venture, the
Joint Venture has lodged a development application for its iron ore project with
the Western Australian government.


Subject to government approval, the Hope Downs project will be developed by Rio
Tinto under a 50:50 unincorporated joint venture with Hancock Prospecting Pty
Ltd.  Rio Tinto reached agreement in July 2005 to purchase a 50 per cent
interest in the project.


Rio Tinto will manage the development and ongoing operation of the assets
subject to a Management Committee comprising 50 per cent Rio Tinto Iron Ore and
50 per cent Hancock Prospecting representatives. The project will use Pilbara
Iron's managed port, rail and power infrastructure.


Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Sam Walsh said that Rio Tinto was ready to
begin the development of the Hope Downs project as soon as WA government
approvals are in place.


'The Hope Downs project will be one of the most significant mine developments in
Rio Tinto Iron Ore's 40 year history.  We will fast track its development and
bring the deposit to market in the shortest time possible to meet current strong
market demand,' Mr Walsh said.


'We have been working closely with the Hancock Prospecting board to put all
aspects of the project in place, including integrating the railway line into our
existing Pilbara Iron rail network. We have also used proven mining methodology
from our West Angelas mine as the engineering model for Hope Downs.


'We will continue to draw on the combined strengths of the joint venture to
bring this project to fruition.'


The Hope Downs 1, 2 and 3 iron ore deposits comprise Marra Mamba and Brockman
type iron ores and are similar in quality to West Angelas ore.


For further information, please contact:

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