Rio Tinto completes acquisition of Hathor Exploration

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 11, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto announces today that it has, through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired the remaining 7,944,151 Hathor common shares not already owned by Rio Tinto and its affiliates, representing approximately 5.87 per cent of the outstanding Hathor common shares on a fully-diluted basis, pursuant to a compulsory acquisition under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

Rio Tinto is now the registered holder of 135,290,661 Hathor common shares, representing 100 per cent of the outstanding Hathor common shares on a fully-diluted basis. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the Hathor common shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange effective at the close of business on 12 January 2012. Rio Tinto intends to cause Hathor to apply to the relevant securities commissions for it to cease to be a reporting issuer in all applicable Canadian jurisdictions following the delisting from the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Notices of compulsory acquisition have been mailed to holders of Hathor common shares who did not deposit their shares under the offer by Rio Tinto to acquire all of the outstanding Hathor common shares which expired at 5:00pm (Toronto time) on 6 January 2012.

About Rio Tinto in Canada

Rio Tinto employs over 13,400 people across its extensive operations in Canada, which include mining and manufacturing interests in alumina, aluminium, iron ore, diamonds and titanium dioxide. Rio Tinto also operates exploration activities, research and development centres, port and rail facilities to support various businesses, technical and sales service centres, and substantial hydroelectric power facilities in British Columbia and Quebec. In addition, Canada is home to the global headquarters of Rio Tinto Alcan.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange 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, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

Media Relations, Australia / Asia David Luff Office:  [phone] Mobile: [phone] Karen Halbert Office: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Bruce Tobin Office: [phone] Mobile: [phone]		Investor Relations, Australia Dave Skinner Office:  [phone] Mobile: [phone] Christopher Maitland Office: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
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High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media