Simandou Mining Concession

Rio Tinto PLC
10 April 2006


Simandou mining concession granted to Rio Tinto




Rio Tinto, through its wholly owned local subsidiary SIMFER SA, has been granted
a Mining Concession by the Government of Guinea for development of the Simandou
iron ore project in West Africa.



Rio Tinto has been exploring and evaluating the iron ore potential of Simandou
under exploration licences granted in 1997. Rio Tinto Iron Ore is currently
working on a pre-feasibility study for the Pic de Fon deposit within the
Simandou Concession.





Note to editors:



• Technical studies on the Simandou Concession are expected to lead to an 
  investment decision by mid 2008 as agreed with the Government. To date, Rio
  Tinto has spent over US$30 million on this prospect.



• Rio Tinto is studying the feasibility of a Transguinean transport system for 
  the export of ore from Simandou. To this end, the transport system is
  part of a study commissioned by the Transport Committee composed of Rio Tinto,
  EuroNimba and the Government. A consulting contractor has been appointed to
  carry out the evaluation of Transguinean transport options.



• Rio Tinto is negotiating the possibility of selling a five per cent share in 
  the project to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the
  World Bank Group. The Government of Guinea has a right to acquire a 20 per 
  cent share (pro rata from other shareholders) on commercial terms when a 
  construction decision is made.





For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                            AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                   Media Relations
Hugh Leggatt                                      Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations                                Investor Relations

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



David Ovington                                    Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com


















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