Rio Tinto share repurchase programme

Friday, 16 June 2006

Rio Tinto plc (“Rio Tinto”) announces that it has commenced a programme to buy back shares during the period which commences on 16 June 2006 and ends on the announcement of Rio Tinto’s results on 3 August 2006. The shares will be held in treasury. The buy back programme will be managed by an independent third party, which makes its trading decisions in relation to Rio Tinto’s securities independently of, and uninfluenced by, Rio Tinto.

Any acquisitions will be effected within certain pre-set parameters, and in accordance with both Rio Tinto’s general authority to repurchase shares and Chapter 12 of the Listing Rules which requires that the maximum price paid be limited to no more than 5 per cent above the average market value for the shares as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately prior to such purchase.

Rio Tinto confirms that it currently has no unpublished price sensitive information.