|
"The ongoing technical and study work carried out by Rio Tinto's iron ore group has led to further increased confidence in Rio Tinto's Resource position in the Pilbara," he said. "Over the last ten years, we have moved to strengthen our ore reserves and mineral resources, having drilled 3.3 million metres. We plan to drill 3.9 million metres in the next five years - a programme unprecedented in the history of the iron ore business, demonstrating our commitment to sustained development in the Pilbara." The additions to the Mineral Resources are from: 1. New deposits added to the Pilbara Mineral Resource base (reported on a 100% basis) • Caliwingina (Detritals) 160 Mt @ 61.1% Fe • Jimmawurrada (Channel Iron Deposit, CID) 125 Mt @ 55.9% Fe • Fortescue Valley (Detritals) 75 Mt @ 61.7% Fe • Juna Downs (Marra Mamba, MM) 75 Mt @ 61.9% Fe • Welthandalthaluna (High Phosphorus Brockman, HPB) 45 Mt @ 63.4% Fe • Brockman 4 (HPB) LG 40 Mt @ 58.9% Fe • Marandoo West/South Fortescue (MM) HG 25 Mt @ 60.9% Fe 2. Updates to the reported Pilbara Mineral Resources (reported on a 100% basis) • Caliwingina (CID) 1,380 Mt @ 56.8% Fe (up from 875 Mt @ 57.7% Fe) • Syncline 19 (MM) 400 Mt @ 62.0% Fe (up from 135 Mt @ 62.8% Fe) • Shivani (MM) 275 Mt @ 61.4% Fe (up from 110 Mt @ 61.6% Fe) • Shovelana (HPB) HG 135 Mt @ 62.3% Fe (re-reported as tenure issues resolved) • Shovelana (HPB) BPO 40 Mt @ 58.1% Fe (re-reported as tenure issues resolved) • Mesa J (CID): 150 Mt @ 54.8% Fe (additional Mineral Resource) • Mesa H (CID): 95 Mt @ 55.4% Fe (up from 30Mt @ 56.6% Fe) • Brockman Syncline (MM) HG 190 Mt @ 61.5% Fe (up from 100 Mt @ 61.9% Fe) • West Angelas Deposit D (MM) HG 120 Mt @ 61.3% Fe (up from 65 Mt @ 61.7% Fe) Descriptions of the deposits, the classification, drilling and estimation methods are given in Appendices 1 to 14. As the additional Mineral Resources are typical of Pilbara iron ore mineralisation, cross sections have not been included. The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by John Phillips who is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. John Phillips is a full-time employee of Rio Tinto Iron Ore and has experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which they have undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves'. John Phillips consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. As required by the Australian Stock Exchange, the information presented here contains details of other mineralisation that has a reasonable prospect of being economically extracted in the future but which is not yet classified as Proved or Probable Reserves. This material is defined as Mineral Resources under the JORC Code. Estimates of such material are based largely on geological information with only preliminary consideration of mining, economic and other factors. While in the judgement of the Competent Person there are realistic expectations that all or part of the Mineral Resources will eventually become Proved or Probable Reserves, there is no guarantee that this will occur as the result depends on further technical and economic studies and prevailing economic conditions in the future. ________________________ (1) Details in the 2009 Rio Tinto Annual Report (2) as-at Dec 31 2009 and exclusive of Reserves (3) as-at Dec 31 2009 and reported as dry recoverable product. About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE 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. Rio Tinto |
