Record growth in earnings, investment and dividend

01 February 2007

• Underlying earnings of $7,338 million were 48 per cent above 2005.
• Net earnings were $7,438 million, 43 per cent above 2005.
• Cashflow from operations rose 36 per cent to $11,196 million.
• The full year ordinary dividend increased 30 per cent to 104 US cents.
• Record production volumes in several product groups, including iron ore, alumina, US coal and molybdenum.
• Capital expenditure was $3.9 billion, reflecting continuing investment in growth based on a quality portfolio of assets.
• Capital projects continued to progress well, with the major expansion of the Group's iron ore business on schedule and on budget.
• Approval for the expansion of annual capacity at the Cape Lambert port in the Pilbara region of Western Australia from 55 million tonnes to 80 million tonnes at a capital cost of $860 million is announced today.
• The return of $4 billion cash to shareholders over 2006 and 2007 was completed almost a year ahead of schedule. In October 2006, an additional $3 billion share buy back was announced.
• Rio Tinto's pipeline of growth opportunities was enhanced during the year through targeted investment, including a joint venture for exploration in Russia and investment in a copper-gold project in Mongolia.
• Tom Albanese appointed as new chief executive to succeed Leigh Clifford in May 2007.

Record growth in earnings, investment and dividend [PDF: 341 KB]