Exhibit 99.5
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5 Aldermanbury Square
London EC2V 7HR
United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 20 7781 2000
F +44 (0) 20 7781 1800 |
Press release
Rio Tinto and Komatsu to develop autonomous haulage system for Pilbara iron ore
operations
18 January 2008
Rio Tinto has embarked on a ground-breaking programme to develop a world-leading
system to automate its Pilbara iron ore operations.
A significant component of this ambitious venture is the formation of an alliance
with Komatsu to develop and deploy advanced Autonomous Haulage solutions to support
Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s operations in Western Australia.
Rio Tinto and Komatsu have agreed to work together to establish an autonomous mining
operation in the Pilbara that will feature the industry-leading Komatsu Autonomous
Haulage System. The system will be commissioned before the end of 2008. This
autonomous mining system will be more widely deployed in new and existing Rio Tinto
Iron Ore operations by 2010.
Tom Albanese, chief executive Rio Tinto, said, “Komatsu has been the Rio Tinto
Group’s preferred supplier of haulage equipment for over ten years. Komatsu is our
partner of choice in the development and deployment of autonomous haulage solutions
and this alliance marks an important extension to our successful business
relationship.”
“Rio Tinto is committed to the development and deployment of integrated autonomous
mine-to-port operations. We are closely focussed on supporting our Pilbara iron
ore expansion through the application of world-leading automation technologies.”
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.
Cont.../
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those
regarding Rio Tinto’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of
management for future operations (including development plans and objectives
relating to Rio Tinto’s products, production forecasts and reserve and resource
positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio
Tinto’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto
will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto’s
actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of demand and market prices,
the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign
currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems,
political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the
actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in
taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto’s most
recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking
statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the
City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeover Code”), the UK Listing Rules, the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing
Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in
Rio Tinto’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per
share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its
historical published earnings per share.
Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its
officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person
involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty
(either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values,
anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.
