Rio Tinto Energy America

Rio Tinto PLC
08 November 2007



Rio Tinto explores options to sell Rio Tinto Energy America


As part of the Groupwide strategic review announced at the time of the
acquisition of Alcan, Rio Tinto has decided to explore options for the sale of
some or all of Rio Tinto Energy America.

Rio Tinto Energy America is the second largest US coal producer by tonnage, with
a competitive position in the US coal marketplace. It forms a distinct part of
the Energy group portfolio.


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.


For further information, please contact:
Media Relations, London                            Media Relations, Australia

                                                   Ian Head
Nick Cobban                                        Office:  [phone]
Office:  [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

                                                   Amanda Buckley
                                                   Office:  [phone]
                                                   Mobile: [phone]
Media Relations, U.S
Nancy Ives
Mobile: [phone])

Investor Relations, London                         Investor Relations, Australia

Nigel Jones                                        Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                       Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]

                                                   Investor Relations, North America

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


Email: [e-mail]


Website: www.riotinto.com
High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk




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