LONDON, United Kingdom, July 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ – Rio Tinto acquired
133,571,192 common shares under Ivanhoe’s rights offering at a total
cost of US$934,998,344 or US$7.00 per share. The purchase represents
approximately 51 per cent of the common shares offered under the rights
offering. The rights offering, which closed today, was fully
subscribed.

Prior to the completion of the rights offering, Rio Tinto owned
377,397,658 common shares of Ivanhoe representing approximately 51 per
cent of the outstanding common shares. Upon the completion of the
rights offering, Rio Tinto owned 510,968,850 common shares representing
approximately 51 per cent of the outstanding common shares.

Rio Tinto also owns 74,247,460 Series D Warrants of Ivanhoe after
adjustment to give effect to the rights offering. If Rio Tinto were to
fully exercise the Series D Warrants, Rio Tinto would acquire an
additional 74,247,460 common shares. Following such issuance, Rio Tinto
would own 585,216,310 common shares representing 54.4 per cent of the
outstanding common shares.

Rio Tinto has anti-dilution rights that permit it to acquire additional
securities of Ivanhoe so as to maintain its proportional equity
interest in Ivanhoe. Rio Tinto also has the right, until 24 October
2012, to acquire additional Ivanhoe securities under its equity
financing right of first offer.

The purpose of Rio Tinto acquiring additional shares under Ivanhoe’s
rights offering was to honour its contractual obligations to Ivanhoe
and to provide additional funding to Ivanhoe to ensure the timely
development of Ivanhoe’s Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia.

Rio Tinto has no present intention of acquiring additional securities of
Ivanhoe. Depending upon its evaluation of the business, prospects and
financial condition of Ivanhoe, the market for Ivanhoe’s securities,
general economic and tax conditions and other factors, Rio Tinto may
acquire or sell some or all of the securities of Ivanhoe.

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.

SOURCE RIO TINTO PLC