earnings , page-3

RIO' Chief Executive's comments: -

"“Strength in our markets has been supported by continuing improvement in the OECD
economies combined with sustained Chinese demand for raw materials. While we do not
expect that Chinese demand for metals and minerals will continue to grow at the rate of the
last year, we do expect it to continue to underpin the markets for many of our products longer
term.
“Much of the momentum built up in metals and minerals markets during the first half of the
year should continue through the second. Global markets are benefiting from generally
improved economic performance but will continue to reflect political and other uncertainties,
including pending elections in some of our key countries, developments in the Middle East and
the outcome of the Doha development round.”