Appointment of new director

7 March 2006

Rio Tinto today appointed Tom Albanese as an executive director with immediate effect.

Tom will remain chief executive of the Copper group and of Exploration until 1 July 2006, when he will be appointed director, Group Resources. In this new position he will be responsible for Exploration, Operational and Technical Excellence, Human Resources, External Affairs, and Global Business Services.

Since joining the Rio Tinto Group in 1993, Tom has held a number of senior executive roles and was chief executive of the Industrial Minerals group from 2000 to 2004 before assuming his current position.

Bret Clayton, currently president and chief executive officer of Kennecott Energy in the US, will succeed Tom as chief executive of the Copper group.